MSCA-DN PhD position in nanobody development for GPRC5B (Brussels, BE)
Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB) is the recruiting organisation for this position. You will be employed by the Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH) research group and embedded in the POLARIS consortium. Your academic supervision will be provided by Prof. Timo De Groof and Prof. Nick Devoogdt.
This doctoral project focuses on developing GPRC5B-targeting nanobodies for use as research tools, diagnostic tracers and/or therapeutics. You will generate and characterise nanobodies using immune and synthetic nanobody libraries as well as AI-generated candidates.
The project will involve in vitro and in vivo characterisation of the generated nanobodies, including assessment of their affinity, specificity, modulatory effects, stability and biodistribution. Through the POLARIS network, you will also gain experience in AI-generated GPRC5B-targeting nanobodies and the functional characterisation of nanobodies in relation to GPRC5B signalling.
Planned secondments will provide hands-on experience in the generation and validation of AI-generated GPRC5B-targeting nanobodies at DPTX and in the functional characterisation of the generated nanobodies at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.
Your academic embedding will be at the MITH research group, with the anticipated PhD defence at the Faculty of Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
You will contribute to the development of GPRC5B-targeting nanobodies from initial discovery through to preclinical characterisation. Your work will include:
- Selecting GPRC5B-targeting nanobodies from immune and synthetic nanobody libraries and evaluating AI-generated candidates.
- Characterising generated nanobodies in vitro and in vivo, including their affinity, specificity, stability and modulatory effects.
- Investigating the biodistribution of nanobodies in in vivo models.
- Characterising the functional effects of generated nanobodies on GPRC5B signalling.
- Collaborating with POLARIS partner organisations during planned secondments and contributing to the development of nanobodies as research tools, diagnostic tracers and/or therapeutics.
We are looking for a candidate with a Master's degree in life sciences, preferably molecular sciences. You bring:
- A background in molecular biology and experience in nanobody or similar biopharmaceutical research, such as nanobody development and characterisation, and/or G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) biology and signalling.
- Practical wet-lab experience and experience with writing research reports.
- A strong interest in targeted biopharmaceuticals, nanobody development and engineering, GPCR biology and translational research.
- An accurate and reproducible approach to research, with strong analytical skills and the ability to critically evaluate results and determine next steps.
- Good communication, organisational and collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.
Experience with animal experiments is an advantage. You should also be willing to travel for research activities and secondments at POLARIS partner organisations.
Fluency in spoken and written English is essential.
Eligibility criteria
Important, strict eligibility criteria according to MARIE SKLODOWSKA CURIE programs apply to applicants:
- You must not already hold a doctoral degree.
- At the time of the application deadline, you must have a Master's degree and must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Belgium for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the contract start date.
- You will participate in the network-wide training programme of POLARIS, which includes (international) training activities and planned secondments with POLARIS partner organizations throughout the EU.
A contract for 12 months, with the intention to extend for a total of 3 years;
Salary, mobility allowance and benefits according to the applicable MSCA Doctoral Network and host-organisation rules;
Embedding in the international POLARIS doctoral training network;
Access to network-wide training activities, secondments and transferable-skills development;
A challenging and translational research project at the interface of nanobody discovery and engineering, GPCR biology and preclinical in vivo testing;
A collaborative and entrepreneurial working environment;
An open and supportive team culture with opportunities for scientific and professional development.
You will work within the Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH) research group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel. MITH is a multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians focused on developing, preclinically evaluating and translating targeted biopharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
The group has extensive expertise in single-domain antibodies (sdAbs), also known as nanobodies or VHHs. Its research covers areas including sdAb discovery and engineering, (radio)chemistry, radiopharmacy, multimodality and multiscale imaging, immune imaging and therapy, targeted radionuclide therapy and clinical translation.
You will also be part of the international POLARIS doctoral network. You will work with researchers from different scientific disciplines and collaborate with academic and industry partners across Europe. Through secondments, network-wide training and transferable-skills development, you will build experience beyond your own research project and develop an international research network.
POLARIS is committed to open, transparent and merit-based recruitment. We value diversity and welcome candidates with different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.
The application deadline is 5 October 2026. We aim to select the final candidate in October/November 2026.
Applicants may, where appropriate and in line with the recruitment procedure, also be considered for other POLARIS doctoral candidate positions that better match their profile and interests. You can highlight up to two additional POLARIS projects of interest in your application letter. This does not replace your application to the primary position, but helps the consortium identify potential alternative matches where relevant.
Would you like to know more about this PhD position? For substantive information about the vacancy, please contact dr Timo de Groof via timo.de.groof@vub.be.
Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.
