Post-Doctoral Position: Circadian Rhythms and Cancer - UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium

The Cancer Translational Research Laboratory is part of the Pole of Pharmacology and Therapeutics of the Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique (IREC) of UCLouvain in Brussels, Belgium. The head of the lab, Prof. O. Feron (also president of the IREC institute) has a recognized expertise in oncology. 

The IREC institute consists in 15 research poles working in distinct areas of the Biomedical Sciences in close collaboration with the Cliniques universitaires St Luc in Brussels. This institute founded in 2010 offers a stimulating environment with access to state-of-the-art equipment and associated know-how. One of the strengths of the O. Feron's lab consists in the mixture of internationally trained postdocs/PhD students offering regular new scientific inputs to his research group and technicians who maintain techniques and know-how along the years. Collaborations with different labs in Europe and USA also allow getting access to specific expertise and models. Our work is acknowledged by more than 270 publications in the last 15 years, including in high impact journals such as Cell Metabolism, Nature Communications, Nature Reviews Cancer, J Clinical Investigation, EMBO, Circulation Research, Cancer Research and Clinical Cancer Research, invitations of the different members of the Pole as speakers in international symposia and grants from the major national and European agencies and foundations. Current research topics concern both basic and translational research. The former includes the study of different aspects of the tumor metabolism impacting on, or influenced by, the tumor microenvironment, in particular hypoxia, acidosis and immune cells. Translational research encompasses the management of a technological platform to identify and/or validate new drug candidates targeting tumor metabolism and stimulating anticancer immunity.

A 2- to 3-year position is immediately available for a postdoctoral scientist to conduct a research project in the field of circadian rhythms and cancer biology/therapy. The project will focus on investigating circadian oscillations in cancer cell metabolism and exploring how these temporal dynamics can be harnessed for therapeutic purposes.

This work will be closely integrated with other key research areas in the laboratory, including tumor microenvironment dynamics and interactions with the immune system. The successful candidate will have access to a newly established lipidomics and metabolomics platform, fully equipped for high-throughput analyses. This platform is supported by an experienced core facility logistician, ensuring seamless generation and integration of multi-omics data.

Preference will be given to candidates with prior experience in circadian biology, particularly in the context of metabolomics research. Strong communication skills in English, both written and verbal, as well as the ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, are essential. A proactive attitude and the ability to contribute to a positive, collegial, and productive research environment will be highly valued.

Based on the candidate's qualifications, he/she will be encouraged and supported in applying for intermediate and permanent academic positions, such as those offered by FNRS (belgian-based funding agency) or ERC.