Innovative PhD research on memory NK cells in HIV

1 - Working at the VUB

For more than 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and solidarity, and this is very much alive on our campuses among students and staff alike. 

At the VUB, you will find a diverse collection of personalities: innovators pur sang, but above all people who are 100% their authentic selves. With some 4,000 employees, we are the largest Dutch-speaking employer, in the private sector, in Brussels; an international city with which we are only too happy to connect and where (around) our 4 campuses are located. 

Add to this our principle of free research - in which self-reflection, a critical attitude and an open, creative mind around scientific and social issues are central - and you have a university that is fundamentally groundbreaking and pioneering in education and research. In short: the VUB all over again. 

Moreover, the VUB is a member of EUTOPIA, an alliance of like-minded European universities, all ready to reinvent themselves.

2 - Position description

The Faculteit Geneeskunde en Farmacie, Department Farmaceutische en Farmacologische Wetenschappen, Research Group Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy (NAVI) is looking for a PhD-student with a doctoral grant. 

Are you fascinated by innate immunity and its role in viral persistence? Do you want to contribute to the development of innovative immunological strategies to target the HIV reservoir? Then you might be the PhD candidate we are looking for!
We are offering a fully funded PhD position within an FWO Fundamental Research project investigating the role of memory natural killer (NK) cells in controlling the HIV reservoir. This project will be embedded in the Neuro-Aging & Viro-Immunotherapy (NAVI) research group at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), in close collaboration with clinicians at UZ Brussel and researchers at the Leibniz Institute for Immunotherapy (LIT).
Project Overview

Despite effective antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV persists in long-lived cellular reservoirs that remain a major barrier to cure. Understanding how the immune system can recognize and eliminate these cells is therefore a key challenge in HIV research. NK cells are key players of the innate immune response cells against viral infections. Although immune memory was traditionally thought to be restricted to adaptive immune cells, recent discoveries have shown that NK cells can also acquire memory-like properties, resulting in enhanced responses upon re-exposure.  This project aims to dissect the phenotype, function and mechanisms by which memory NK cells interact with HIV-infected cells, and to explore their potential in curative strategies.

The PhD candidate will work in a highly interdisciplinary environment at the interface of basic immunology, virology and clinical research. The project benefits from access to well-characterized HIV cohorts, state-of-the-art immunological technologies and a strong international collaborative network.

For this function, our Brussels Health Campus (Jette) will serve as your home base. 

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• A Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Molecular Biology or a related field

• A strong interest in immunology, NK cell biology and HIV research
• Hands-on experience with cell culture, microscopy, flow cytometry and immunological assays
• Experience with bioinformatics/omics approaches is an asset
• Strong analytical skills and a critical scientific mindset
• Excellent communication skills in English (spoken and written)
• The ability and motivation to work both independently as well as collaboratively in an international research environment
• You have not performed any works in the execution of a mandate as an assistant, paid from operating resources, over a total (cumulated) period of more than 12 months.
• As a (non-)EEA national, meet the conditions for obtaining a valid permit for VUB and comply with the VUB residence requirements. More info here.

The VUB wants to be a reflection of the society where everyone's talent is valued, regardless of gender, age, religion, skin color, migration background, disability and neurodiversity.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague?

You’ll be offered a full-time PhD-scholarship, for 12 months (extendable up to max. 48 months, on condition of the positive evaluation of the PhD activities), with planned starting date 01/04/2026. 

You’ll receive a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.

IMPORTANT: The effective result of the doctorate scholarship is subject to the condition precedent of your enrolment as a doctorate student at the university.

At the VUB, you’re guaranteed an open, involved and diverse workplace where you are offered opportunities to (further) build on your career.

As well as this, you will also enjoy various other benefits:

• Training in cutting-edge immunological and virological techniques
• A stimulating, collaborative and supportive research environment
• Opportunities for international collaboration, conference attendance and scientific training
• Close interaction with clinicians and access to unique patient-derived samples
• Extensive homeworking options, a telework allowance of 50 euros per month OR an internet fee of 20 euros per month;
• An open and informal working environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a fulltime contract), closure between Christmas and New Year and 3 extra leave days;
• Cost-free hospitalisation insurance;
• Full reimbursement of your home-to-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, and/or compensation if you come by bike; 
• A wide selection of meals in our campus restaurants at attractive prices;
• Excellent and affordable facilities for sport and exercise, a range of discounts via Benefits@Work (in  all kinds of shops, on flights, in petrol stations, amusement parks...) and Ecocheques; 
• Nursery near campus, discount on holiday camps; 
• The space to form your job content and to continuously learn through our VUB learning platforms and training courses;
• And finally: great colleagues with a healthy drive.

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of?

Then apply, at the latest on 15/02/2026, via jobs.vub.be, and upload the following documents:

• your CV;
• your motivation letter (maximum 2 pages) clearly indicating why this position appeals to you and why you are the right candidate;
• Academic transcripts (including your ranking within your peer group);
• your diploma;
• And the contact details for two references to joeri.aerts@vub.be

Our application process is as follows (subject to change):

• step 1: an initial selection based on your application file; 
• step 2: a job interview.

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Prof. Joeri Aerts at joeri.aerts@vub.be or on +32 2 477 45 01.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB? Go to jobs.vub.be, and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

Would you like more information about EUTOPIA? Go to eutopia-university.eu, and read more about the role of the VUB in the development of the EUTOPIA alliance.