VUB supervisors – InterACT [Skip to content](#main) [ ![InterACT](https://interact-programme.be/build/assets/interact-Bz2nHYWk.svg)](https://interact-programme.be) Menu - [About](https://interact-programme.be) - [Call](https://interact-programme.be/call) - [FAQ](https://interact-programme.be/faq) - [VUB supervisors](https://interact-programme.be/vub-supervisor) - [Non-academic organizations](https://interact-programme.be/non-academic-organizations) - [People](https://interact-programme.be/people) - [News](https://interact-programme.be/news) [Apply](https://interact-programme.be/apply) - [About](https://interact-programme.be) - [Call](https://interact-programme.be/call) - [FAQ](https://interact-programme.be/faq) - [VUB supervisors](https://interact-programme.be/vub-supervisor) - [Non-academic organizations](https://interact-programme.be/non-academic-organizations) - [People](https://interact-programme.be/people) - [News](https://interact-programme.be/news) [Apply](https://interact-programme.be/apply) Search VUB supervisors ================= The VUB supervisors listed below have expressed interest in supervising a postdoctoral researcher under the InterACT programme. Feel free to reach out to them to check their availability. (Please note that other VUB supervisors who are not listed here might be interested in supervising your project. Check the [VUB website](https://www.vub.be/en/about-vub/faculties-institutes-and-campuses/our-faculties) to look for supervisors in your research area). **IMPORTANT:** Supervisors are not allowed to assist the applicants with the writing of the application. Applications that have been fully or partly co-authored by the supervisors will be deemed ineligible and excluded from the evaluation process. By signing the Letter of Support, the supervisors must confirm that they have not been involved in the preparation of the proposals in any capacity. PanelAll panelsSocial Sciences and HumanitiesLife SciencesPhysical Sciences and Engineering Submit Showing 26 of 102 supervisors *from panel Life Sciences.* - Sandra Tuyaerts --------------- Professor Translational Oncology Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy / Translational Oncology Research Centre (TORC) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) Advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) hold major promise for oncology but remain challenging to develop, manufacture and implement in academic and hospital settings. This project will map the key bottlenecks faced by academia-led ATMP initiatives, including GMP-compliant manufacturing, quality and regulatory requirements, scalability, cost, clinical trial readiness, reimbursement and patient access. It will also explore how different actors such as universities, university hospitals, GMP facilities, industry, regulators, technology-transfer offices and patient representatives, can collaborate through effective partnership models to facilitate sustainable clinical translation of ATMPs. Please note that Prof. Sandra Tuyaerts is the main supervisor for this topic and will oversee the project. Isabelle Houbracken serves as the contact person for candidate inquiries and may act as co-supervisor if relevant. Read more ↓ Read less - Lieve Van den Block ------------------- Director / Chair of End-of-Life Care Research Group End-of-Life Care Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) The End-of-Life Care Research Group aspires to be a global leader for excellence in end-of-life care and its adjacent fields. By combining stringent research, societal engagement and scientific quality we aim to contribute to improving the life and experiences of people facing serious illness, dying and loss. Our research is uniquely positioned at the intersection of medical, health, and social sciences, within the international palliative care landscape. Our team functions within a highly collaborative environment that promotes knowledge exchange and cross-fertilization. This collaboration extends beyond institutional and country boundaries. What distinguishes our group within the global research field is a unique identity and capacity to study the multifaceted nature of serious and advanced illness, care, dying, and loss, through distinctive transdisciplinary approaches and a commitment to methodological innovation. Please visit www.endoflifecare.be for more information. Read more ↓ Read less - Ilse Smolders ------------- Full Professor Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy / Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences / Research Group Experimental Pharmacology [Life Sciences](?panel=5) In our preclinical disease models, we apply state-of-the-art technologies to modulate brain activity, including chemogenetic modulation of glial cells, photopharmacology for precise spatiotemporal drug control, and gene therapy approaches targeting underlying disease mechanisms to achieve true disease modification and symptomatic seizure suppression. We are seeking interdisciplinary collaborations to further expand and translate this work. Interesting partnerships could be with industrial partners, engineers and data scientists to support big data integration across EEG and transcriptomic and metabolomic datasets, or enabling AI-driven biomarker discovery, innovative drug discovery and more personalized therapeutic strategies. There might be potential in collaborations with bioengineers, rehabilitation specialists and basic scientists, as well as other complementary domains, to drive innovation in neurotechnology, deepen mechanistic molecular insights, and explore novel intervention strategies for disorders of brain hyperexcitability. Read more ↓ Read less - Wim Vranken ----------- Associate Professor Department of Bio-engineering Sciences / Artificial Intelligence Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) Our lab (https://bio2byte.be/) investigates how the dynamics, conformational states and available experimental data of proteins relates to their amino acid sequence. Underlying physical and chemical principles are computationally unravelled through data integration, analysis and AI, so connecting them to biological events and improving our understanding of the way proteins work. In relation to this call, we are interested in postdoctoral applications focussing on using AI to detect proteins (or mutations in proteins) that have global health consequences (e.g. human or plant pathogens), so connecting to EU policies to control such agents. Read more ↓ Read less - Chris Baeken ------------ 20% Associate Professor Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy / Psychiatry / Neuroprotection and Neuromodulation (NEUR) Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) The project aims to advance personalized treatment for major depressive disorder by identifying how different brain stimulation targets engage symptom-specific neural circuits. The postdoctoral fellow will study dorsomedial and dorsolateral prefrontal rTMS targets associated with anxiosomatic and dysphoric depression profiles, using computational electric-field modelling, interleaved TMS–fMRI, ultra-high-field 7T MRI, and clinical neuroimaging. Applicants should have a strong background in neuroscience, psychiatry, psychology, biomedical sciences, or related disciplines, and an interest in neuromodulation, brain imaging, and translational research with potential impact on mental healthcare. Read more ↓ Read less - Ivan Bautmans ------------- Full Professor, Head Vitality Research Group, Head FRIA Unit, Head Gerontology Department Faculty Medicine & Pharmacy / Gerontology Department (GERO) / Vitality research group - Frailty & Resilience in Ageing research unit (FRIA) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) The Frailty & Resilience in Ageing (FRIA) research unit of the VUB Vitality Research Group investigates the biological and functional mechanisms that underlie frailty, resilience, and healthy ageing. A central research line focuses on inflammation as a key driver of age-related decline and fatigue, with particular attention to the interplay between immune activation, muscle function, and vitality. FRIA has pioneered research on muscle fatigability as both a clinical outcome and mechanistic biomarker of frailty, contributing widely cited evidence on its predictive value for adverse health outcomes (see https://tinyurl.com/4df2b9w5). The unit also explores the potential of physical exercise as a modulator of inflammatory processes, with several clinical and molecular studies demonstrating its capacity to counteract immunosenescence and restore resilience (see https://tinyurl.com/3nv46sy8). In parallel, FRIA develops and validates innovative tools for the assessment and monitoring of frailty and fatigue, including the Eforto® eHealth system (https://eforto.com/). Translational by nature, FRIA bridges fundamental immunology with applied gerontology to design interventions aimed at sustaining vitality and independence in older persons. Its international collaborations, including leadership in the WHO framework on vitality capacity, position FRIA as a leading center in research on inflammation, fatigue, and resilience in ageing populations. Read more ↓ Read less - Timo De Groof ------------- Professor Molecular Imaging and Therapy (MITH) Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) My team focuses on the development, preclinical testing and clinical translation of diagnostic tracers and targeted therapeutics with the overall goal to improve immunotherapy outcome. Specifically, my team employs camelid derived antibody fragments, also called nanobodies, as targeting moieties to develop these tracers and therapeutics. One research line focuses on using nuclear diagnostic nanobody-tracers to image different immune cell populations or markers (e.g. T cells, macrophages, immune checkpoints, immune activation markers) to allow better visualization of immune responses and better immunotherapy patient stratification. A second research line focuses on the development of therapeutic nanobodies (i.e. blocking or inhibiting nanobodies, nanobody-based CAR-T cell therapy) that can serve as novel immunotherapeutic approaches. A specific focus here is put on employing nanobodies targeting viral receptors as tools to study and target viral-induced cancer immune evasion. My research incorporates different research fields including nanobody development and engineering, nuclear imaging, cancer immunology, virology and receptor signaling resulting also in a diverse research team of with expertise in these different fields. Read more ↓ Read less - Jeroen Van Schependom --------------------- Research Professor Department of Electronics and Informatics (ETRO) / AI Supported Modelling in Clinical Sciences (AIMS) Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) Prof. Jeroen Van Schependom’s research focuses on understanding cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis using advanced neurophysiological and neuroimaging methods. His group combines MEG/EEG, MRI, cognitive testing, and computational modelling to study how altered brain dynamics, excitation–inhibition balance, demyelination, and network dysfunction contribute to symptoms such as slowed information processing. Applicants interested in clinical neuroscience, biomedical signal analysis, multimodal imaging, and translational biomarker development are encouraged to get in touch. Read more ↓ Read less - Kevin De Pauw ------------- Professor Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy / Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy (MFYS) Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) As a human movement scientist and vice-president of the Brussels Human Robotics Research Center (Brubotics) I closely collaborate with (mechanical, biomedical, computer) engineers in the field of occupational exoskeletons, lower-extremity prosthetics and human-in-the-loop optimization strategies (physical and digital). Read more ↓ Read less - Bart Roelands ------------- Head of Research Group / Professor Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy (LK) / Human Physiology and Sports Physiotherapy Research Group (MFYS) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) I am looking to host motivated postdoctoral researchers interested in human performance (physical and cognitive), brain function, and exercise-related brain health. I welcome interdisciplinary projects, including collaborations with non-academic partners, particularly those aiming to translate fundamental insights from fatigue research into real-world impact in health, sport, industry and policy. Read more ↓ Read less - Nick Devoogdt ------------- Professor / Head of MITH Faculty of Medicine & Pharmacy, Molecular Imaging and Pharmacy (MITH) Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) MITH is a multidisciplinary team of researchers and clinicians, focused on the development, preclinical evaluation and clinical translation of targeted bio-pharmaceuticals for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, mainly based on nanobody technology. In today personal medicine, it is aimed to specifically intervene in key molecular and cellular processes that go awry in pathology, and at the same time also use and exploit biomarkers to sense changes that take place during disease development. Nanobodies, a type of antibody-fragments with unique molecular, biophysical and pharmacological characteristics are of interest to develop novel diagnostic and therapeutic avenues for disease management. We are inviting motivated postdoctoral fellows who are interested in contributing to translating nanobody-based pharmaceuticals to early clinical testing. As a scientist you can contribute to any aspect in the complex translation path of these biopharmaceuticals towards clinical testing, from nanobody development, protein production and purification, to testing in laboratory animal models, (radio)chemical conjugation and nanobody molecular engineering, animal imaging and therapy evaluations, and GMP productions, or contribute to the optimization of processes and technologies to develop these biopharmaceuticals. Read more ↓ Read less - Tamas Lazar ----------- Assistant Professor Department of Bio-engineering Sciences (DBIT) / Structural Biology Brussels (SBB) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) I am looking for curious and motivated postdoctoral researchers from natural, life, health sciences and engineering fields who want to work at the interface of protein biology, structural bioinformatics, computational biophysics and AI. My team studies how proteins function as dynamic and evolvable molecular systems, with a particular focus on intrinsically disordered proteins, protein interactions, biomolecular condensates, disease-associated variants and protein design. We develop and apply molecular modelling and simulation approaches, large-scale biological data integration, curated protein resources and AI tools — including protein language models — to uncover naturally evolved protein grammar and molecular mechanisms of disease and explore therapeutic opportunities. I especially welcome applicants who enjoy interdisciplinary research and want to tackle biological questions through data-driven computational solutions. Read more ↓ Read less - Kristien Brans -------------- Assistant Professor Department of Bio-engineering Sciences / Ecology, Evolution and Genetics (bDIV) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) We welcome applications from motivated candidates interested in urban evolutionary ecology and organismal adaptation to anthropogenic stressors. Research topics may include evolutionary responses in aquatic and terrestrial species to urbanization, agriculture, and industrialization, using approaches such as common garden and transplant experiments. Projects can also engage with socio-eco-evolutionary dynamics in human-impacted landscapes. Applicants with strong quantitative skills, experimental experience, and an interest in interdisciplinary research are especially encouraged to apply within the INTERACT fellowship framework. Read more ↓ Read less - Nele Adriaenssens ----------------- Professor Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation Research [Life Sciences](?panel=5) I am looking to host a postdoctoral researcher with an interest in interdisciplinary and societally relevant research in oncology rehabilitation and exercise oncology. Possible projects may address the prevention and management of treatment-related side effects, optimisation of supportive care and rehabilitation pathways, implementation of evidence-based exercise interventions in routine cancer care, or the health economic and policy dimensions of such innovations. Applicants with ideas that bridge clinical oncology, rehabilitation sciences, public health, behavioural science, implementation science, or health economics are especially encouraged. Read more ↓ Read less - Doris Vandeputte ---------------- Professor AI-Supported Modelling in Clinical Sciences (AIMS) Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) Open to collaborate on (gut) microbiome projects, in silico, in vitro or in vivo, or projects with a gut microbiome angle. Read more ↓ Read less - Thomas Merckx ------------- Professor Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences / DBIO (Biology) / WILD (Wildness, Diversity, & Ecosystems under Change) Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) I focus on urban evolutionary ecology and more generally on global change biology, using insects as study models at both the level of individual species and species communities. I investigate whether and to what degree insects can cope with global change stressors—such as the urban-heat-island effect, light pollution (ALAN), invasive species, eutrophication. Through experimental lab and fieldwork, I examine behavioral and morphological changes, while analysis of citizen-science occurrence data and museum specimens allows to study shifts in phenology, abundance, distribution and functional morphology. My ultimate goal is to provide evidence-based recommendations to mitigate impacts of urbanization and global change, fostering wilder ecosystems with richer insect communities that provide enhanced ecosystem services. I welcome applications on global change biology of insects, researching effects of stressors such as (micro))climatic change and ALAN, using experimental approaches in the lab and/or field, and/or citizen-science occurrence data platforms or museum specimens as tools/data. Read more ↓ Read less - Diederik De Cock ---------------- Professor Faculty of Medicine & Farmacy / Public Health / Research Centre for Digital Medicine (REDM) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) Diederik De Cock leads interdisciplinary research at the intersection of obesity, metabolic health, and chronic inflammatory diseases, with a strong focus on real-world data and precision medicine. His work integrates clinical cohorts, population health data, and innovative data sources (e.g., screening programs and lifestyle data) to better understand disease risk, progression, and prevention. Collaborating closely with multiple specialties (including endocrinology, rheumatology, dermatology, and gastroenterology) and data science teams, his research aims to translate complex data into actionable insights that improve patient care and public health. Read more ↓ Read less - Harry Olde Venterink -------------------- Professor Science and Bio-engineering Sciences / Biology / Wildness, biodiversity and ecosystems under change (WILD) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) Our group focuses on fundamental ecological research about the functioning of plants in ecosystems under change, where ‘quality of research output’ is a more decisive driver than output quantity. The research often has an experimental approach, and the research group actively participates in various international research networks and consortia, such as the NutNet network, the Zoogeochemistry network, and consortia about ecological stoichiometry and/or functional plant traits. We also have a joint research team with several Brazilian researchers about the ecology and conservation of Cerrado plants, and we study plant-herbivore interactions in African savanna and European grasslands. We find it important that performing scientific studies makes fun, and that all group members feel comfortable at work. Read more ↓ Read less - Kelly Ickmans ------------- Associate Professor Pain in Motion Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) My research focuses on chronic pain across children, adolescents, and young adults, including cancer survivors, spanning both underlying mechanisms and rehabilitation, as well as prevention. I study how education, health behaviors, and lifestyle factors (e.g., sleep, physical activity, nutrition) contribute to pain outcomes and behavior change. I have a strong interest in participatory research and co-creation, working closely with end-users and stakeholders to develop and implement meaningful, context-sensitive interventions in healthcare and educational settings. Read more ↓ Read less - Ronnie Willaert --------------- Professor Department of Bio-engineering Sciences /Structural Biology Brussels (SBB) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) This project develops single-cell mechanodynamics, a novel framework to capture the real-time functional state of living cells through their intrinsic nanometer-scale fluctuations. By integrating Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Optical Nanomotion Detection (ONMD), and intracellular nanoendoscopy, we aim to establish label-free mechanodynamic signatures that reflect cellular viability, metabolism, and stress responses. The research combines advanced nanomechanics, optical sensing, and microfluidics to uncover the physical origins of cellular nanomotion and translate these insights into applications such as rapid antimicrobial testing, mechanobiology, and single-cell phenotyping. This interdisciplinary project offers opportunities to develop independent research at the interface of physics, biology, and engineering, with clear biomedical and societal relevance. Read more ↓ Read less - Lisa Goudman ------------ Assistant Professor & Senior Postdoc Faculty of Medicine & Farmacy / STIMULUS Research Group (neuromodulation) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) I am a researcher in chronic pain and neuromodulation, focusing on improving how treatment outcomes are defined, measured, and applied in clinical practice. My work combines clinical research, methodology, and patient-centred approaches, including preference-based outcome assessment and decision-making in complex care pathways. I welcome motivated postdoctoral researchers interested in interdisciplinary and translational projects, particularly those aiming to bridge clinical neuroscience, outcome measurement, and real-world impact in healthcare. Read more ↓ Read less - Mahyar Firouzi -------------- Assistant Professor Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy (LK) / Department of Physiotherapy, Human Physiology and Anatomy (KIMA) / Rehabilitation Research group (RERE) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) We welcome postdoctoral researchers with backgrounds in neuroscience, rehabilitation sciences, psychology, biomedical engineering, or related fields. Our research focuses on understanding how motor and cognitive processes interact in neurological conditions, and on translating this knowledge into effective, technology-supported rehabilitation strategies. Potential fellowship projects may draw on mechanistic neurorehabilitation (brain stimulation, motor learning, postural control), electrophysiological methods (EEG, EMG), or rehabilitation technology (wearable sensors, exoskeletons, serious games). We are open to proposals that combine fundamental and applied perspectives. We particularly value interdisciplinary thinking and are keen to support fellows in developing collaborations that bridge experimental research, clinical practice, and broader societal or policy impact. The research will be embedded within the Rehabilitation Research Group (RERE, https://rere.research.vub.be/) and conducted in the Brubotics Rehabilitation Research Center (BRRC, https://brrc.research.vub.be/), offering access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and interdisciplinary collaboration in a pleasant, diverse, and dynamic group. Read more ↓ Read less - Mathieu Vinken -------------- Senior Full Professor Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy / In Vitro Toxicology and Dermato-Cosmetology (IVTD) Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) The first position is situated in the in vitro toxicology domain and will rely on efforts recently done in a European project coordinated by the PI, in which both advanced cell culture (in vitro) methods and computational (in silico)/artificial intelligence (AI) are used for mechanism-based prediction of liver toxicity induced by drugs and chemicals. Focus will be put on chronic liver adversity, in particular fibrosis. An adverse outcome pathway network will be constructed outlining the mechanisms underlying liver fibrosis by including various data using AI. The adverse outcome pathway network will be subsequently applied as a mechanistic compass for setting up in silico and in vitro testing strategies to predict liver fibrotic toxicity inflicted by drugs and chemicals from various applicability domains. The second position is situated in the space pharmaco-toxicology field. The spontaneous occurrence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease in space conditions, in particular microgravity and cosmic radiation, will be investigated using in vitro and in vivo methods with the goal of developing a countermeasure to reduce this process. Furthermore, the effects of simulated space conditions on drug metabolism in liver and the occurrence of hepatotoxic side effects of drugs in simulated space conditions will be studied. Read more ↓ Read less - David Beckwée ------------- Full professor, Head of Rehabilitation Research group Rehabilitation Research Group [Life Sciences](?panel=5) Join a dynamic and internationally connected research environment at Vrije Universiteit Brussel, where we develop innovative, real-world solutions to support healthy ageing. Our research integrates rehabilitation science, human movement, and emerging technologies such as wearable robotics and digital health, with a strong focus on how people learn, adapt, and function in everyday contexts. You will have the opportunity to design and lead your own research project, collaborate with clinical, industrial, and policy partners, and contribute to interventions that enhance independence and quality of life in older adults. We welcome ambitious candidates who are eager to work across disciplines and translate scientific insights into tangible societal impact. Read more ↓ Read less - Eva Swinnen ----------- Prof. Neurological Rehabilitation and Rehabilitation Technology / Academic Director Brubotics Rehabilitation Research Center (BRRC) Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy / Rehabilitation Research Group (RERE) [Life Sciences](?panel=5) We welcome postdoctoral proposals in neurological rehabilitation and technology-driven innovation, particularly at the intersection of rehabilitation sciences, neuroscience, and engineering. We are especially interested in interdisciplinary projects involving robotics, wearable systems, exergaming, or extended reality, with a strong focus on clinical validation and real-world implementation. The research will be embedded within the Rehabilitation Research Group (RERE, https://rere.research.vub.be/) and conducted in the Brubotics Rehabilitation Research Center (BRRC, https://brrc.research.vub.be/), offering access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and interdisciplinary collaboration. We encourage applicants to develop translational and user-centred research with clear societal and healthcare impact, in collaboration with clinical partners, technology developers, and international research networks. Read more ↓ Read less - Lara Pivodic ------------ Research Professor End-of-Life Care Research Group, Department of Family Medicine and Chronic Care [Life Sciences](?panel=5) Lara Pivodic is a tenure-track Professor doing research on ageing and the end of life at the End-of-Life Care Research Group of Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Her work, situated at the intersection of medical and social sciences, seeks to understand older people's experiences as they near the end of life, study their care needs, and find optimal measures to support them in living well until death. Prof. Pivodic has a multidisciplinary scientific background in psychology, medical sciences, epidemiology and health sciences. She is the Principal Investigator of the European Research Council (ERC)-funded project TRAJECT, which seeks to re-shape our current understanding of older people's end-of-life trajectories, using methods from medical sciences, epidemiology, psychology, social anthropology and sociology. 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