Full-time research and teaching position in phytotherapy studied by metabolomics

Teaching and research activities with a view to defending a doctoral thesis (PhD) with a maximum 6-year contract.

In research, she.he will have to undertake a PhD thesis. The PhD research will concern the development of an intelligent and sustainable platform for studying the pharmacokinetics of commercial natural health products (NHPs) to approach herb-drug interactions. There are often major discrepancies between in vitro biological activities and in vivo many medicinal herbs/NHP. The student will be able to objectify these differences, by comparing the chemical variability of products on the market (NHPs) using untargeted metabolomics methods using LC-MS(/MS). The objectif is to be able to determine which molecules of these NHPs are actually released and potentially absorbed using an in vitro digestion method. The absorption of these molecules will then be studied in models used in the pharmaceutical industry. The aim will be to assess which of the plant's bioactive molecules reach the systemic circulation. Here again, untargeted metabolomics will be used. Finally, the pharmacokinetics of these molecules will be studied on the main drug metabolizing enzymes in order to identify potential interactions between NHP-derived products and drugs using innovative methods. At the end of the thesis, the candidate will be able to contribute to the development of a platform mimicking herb-drug interactions.

Research Field : PHARMACY

Sub Research Field : Pharmacology/Analytical chemistry/pharmacognosy

Required educational level: Master level in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry or Biology

Required Languages :

Français : excellent

English :  good 

Interested ?

For more information, please contact Prof Florence Souard (E-mail: Florence.souard@ulb.be).

Applications must be sent by e-mail to the rectorate of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (rectrice@ulb.be ) and to the faculty deanship (Doyen.ne.pharma@ulb.be et daf.pharma@ulb.be.).

They must include the following :

• a motivation letter
• a Curriculum vitae including a list of publications :
  if you want you can complete a standard form via our website at https://www.ulb.be/fr/documents-officiels/completer-votre-cv-en-ligne.  Once completed, it must be downloaded and attached to the application file.
• a note on the applicant’s PhD research project (4 pages)
• two letters of reference

Equal opportunities policy

ULB's personnel management policy is geared towards diversity and equal opportunities.

We recruit candidates on the basis of their skills, irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, origin, nationality, beliefs, disability, etc.

Would you like to be provided with reasonable accommodation in the selection procedure because of a disability, disorder, or illness?  Please contact Marie Botty, the person in charge of diversity aspects for the academic and scientific staff (marie.botty@ulb.be). Be assured of the confidentiality of this information.

More details on the ULB gender and diversity policy are available at https://www.ulb.be/en/about-ulb/gender-equality-at-ulb. 

You will find all the regulations relating to research careers on our site at http://www.ulb.ac.be/emploi/academique.html.

Reference : 2024/S075 

Application deadline : 31/05/2024

Start date: 01/10/2024