1 PhD Fellowship on Leucocyte-Plasma Rich Fibrin in osseous wound healing and bone regeneration in Belgium | KU Leuven

The Oral Health Research Unit of the Department of Oral Health Sciences KU Leuven (Belgium) conducts research that generates and applies biomedical knowledge and technology to oral health and disease and promotes transfer of this acquired expertise to the oral health care delivery system.

The Periodontology and Prosthetics sections of the Department of Oral Health Sciences perform interdisciplinary research focusing on dental implants and on the development of clinically relevant skeletal (periodontal) tissue regeneration concepts. Research within these divisions is translational combining cutting edge developments in research tracks ranging from microbiology, cell biology and imaging technology to dental implant and bone scaffold design, preclinical and clinical studies.

The Periodontology-Prosthetic group currently consists of 19 people (6 PIs, 1 clinical staff member, 1 lab assistant, 2 post-doctoral researchers and 9 PhD students) working in the field of periodontology, oral microbiology, dental implant osseointegration and bone tissue regeneration. You will be working in a subgroup, led by Prof. M. Quirynen, Prof. I. Naert, Prof. K. Vandamme, and Prof. J. Duyck. The work will involve making use of advanced methodologies, including animal experimental research, cell culture, biomedical imaging, analysis of gene and protein expression.

Project

To expand the Periodontology-Prosthetics research group, made possible through recently obtained, industrial sponsored grants, the group is looking for a highly motivated PhD student to join their team of international researchers. The group currently has a job opening for a PhD student to evaluate the potential of Leucocyte-Plasma Rich Fibrin (L-PRF) in osseous wound healing and bone regeneration. The acquired knowledge will serve as direct input for the optimization of current and the development of new experimental and clinical treatment strategies for successful bone tissue regeneration.

Profile

• Applicants should hold a Master degree in biomedical sciences, bioengineering, medicine or related disciplines.
• Motivated students of all nationalities with a strong commitment to basic research are invited to apply.
• Any experience in molecular biology, bioengineering, cell culture, animal research, imaging techniques is an additional asset.
• The candidate should have well-developed social skills and be able to work in a team.
• Applicants should have good communication skills in spoken and written English (proven knowledge of English is required, TOEFL test).

Period: 1 year contract with extension up to 4 years upon positive evaluation.

Starting date: Any date after December 1st 2014