Professor of Tuberculosis
Department of Clinical Sciences - HIV and Tuberculosis
Introduction
The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp, Belgium, aims at the advancement and spread of science that contributes to infectious diseases understanding, medicine and public health, with a global focus on low and middle income countries. ITM conducts scientific research, delivers advanced education and provides medical, scientific and societal expert services. The ITM is an open and international campus where staff, students and researchers work on new international health challenges.
ITM’s Department of Clinical Sciences strives for optimal diagnosis, treatment and prevention of tropical and globalized infectious diseases. The department has long-standing well-recognised expertise in working with both epidemic and endemic infectious diseases in limited resource settings and in the conduct of clinical trials of treatments, vaccines, and diagnostics, supported by the ITM Clinical Trials Unit, and a newly established Clinical Trials Centre.
Tuberculosis (TB) is an important inter-departmental research line, involving three units across the three departments, closely collaborating under the 3P moto (Pathogen, Patient, Population). This involves the Unit of Mycobacteriology at the Biomedical Department (which acts as the supra-national reference laboratory for tuberculosis), the unit of Mycobacterial Diseases and Neglected Tropical Diseases at the Public Health Department and the unit of TB & HIV in the Clinical Sciences Department.
Together, their work ranges from studies on transmission and virulence, improved management and public health interventions for tuberculosis.
As to research, the unit of TB & HIV is involved in clinical studies/trials and operational research on diagnosis of tuberculosis and improved management of drug resistant tuberculosis in the Global South. These studies are conducted in various countries including Niger, Vietnam and Rwanda. One of the strengths of the unit is the expertise in clinical decision making, with the aim to inform screening, diagnostic and treatment strategies related to tuberculosis. Research on HIV focusses on TB-coinfection and late presentation of HIV in the Global South. The unit also organizes a short course on MDR-TB and supports a large number of master and PhD students, predominantly from the Global South. Scientific capacity building is an important activity of the unit. The unit currently has 5 unit members, with a total of 3.7 full time equivalents, and is supporting 10 PhD students.
The Clinical Sciences department is opening up a position for a professor in tuberculosis to lead this unit.
The position of Tuberculosis encompasses the classical academic triad of research, education and service delivery, inclusing scientific capacity building.
The candidate is expected to develop an internationally competitive research programme, to contribute to educational activities in the field of tuberculosis at postgraduate, Master and PhD level, as well as in specialized short courses at ITM, and to provide expert advice to national and international bodies/stakeholders in the field of tuberculosis.
Your role
- Expand the current research lines on tuberculosis, including clinical trials and operational research in the Global South.
- Develop novel research lines on improved management of tuberculosis. Establishment of a novel research line on tuberculosis in vulnerable populations within Europe could be of value, to bridge research in the North and the Global South.
- Acquire competitive research funding and build up international reputation and visibility.
- Build up high impact research and international reputation and visibility.
- Enhance the scientific capacity building activities and partnerships in the Global South.
- Lead on educational activities and hands-on training in the field of tuberculosis at postgraduate, Master and PhD level, as well as in specialized short courses at ITM.
- Supervise and mentor MSc and PhD students.
- Collaborate with other units in the Department of Clinical Sciences and with researchers across ITM to develop synergistic research lines on tuberculosis.
- Provide expert advice to national and international bodies/stakeholders in the field of tuberculosis.
- Coach team members and execute line management duties as head of the unit.
- Promote the strategic vision of the department and institutional policy development, and contribute to relevant ITM committees.
- You report to the Head of the Department of Clinical Sciences.
Profile/Requirements
- Medical doctor with a PhD in a relevant research domain.
- A masters in epidemiology, tropical medicine or public health is an asset.
- Demonstrated experience and a genuine interest in working within resource-limited environments, showcasing strong intercultural competencies.
- Recognised internationally as leading clinical researcher, or be a researcher with high research potential, in the field of tuberculosis demonstrated by a matching excellent output of high-quality, peer-reviewed research on tuberculosis.
- Experience in HIV research and clinical decision making is an asset.
- Capable and willing to develop a forward-looking strategy for future research lines, with the potential for world-leading contributions to the field.
- Track record of successful high-level competitive grant writing and experience as a principal investigator leading impactful projects.
- Established network of research and professional collaborators.
- Passionate about and experienced in postgraduate teaching, including supervision of MSc and PhD theses.
- Demonstrates leadership qualities, serves as a mentor, and excels in effective communication.
- Management experience, particularly in professional or scientific associations, is considered a valuable asset.
- Fluent in English and French. A good command of Dutch or willingness to learn is desirable.
We offer you
ITM is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability and persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to our mission. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients. We offer you:
- A full-time appointment. Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor.
- A salary package depending on your profile and professional experience, and supplementary benefits, such as private pension scheme, meal voucher subsciption and reimbursement of transport. For candidates eligible for expat status under Belgian fiscal law, relocation, cost of living and other allowances can apply.
- An attractive research starting grant to cover initial personnel, working and equipment costs.
- An immigration and relocation assistance package. We explicitly welcome candidates from Low and Middle Income Countries.
- A collegial research environment and mentorship with attention to work-life balance and individual growth and development.
- Based in the vibrant city of Antwerp, Belgium.
We aim to fill the position as soon as possible, so a period of overlap with the current Professor can be foreseen for hand-over and continuity.
For more information about this position, please contact HR (recruitment@itg.be).
Excited about this position?
For more information about this position, please contact HR (recruitment@itg.be).
Apply via the link below before 30/09/2024.
We ask you to fill in the ITM’s applications form, and to add your and motivation letter. Additionally, you can add your CV or other annexes.
