Doctoraatsonderzoek naar diagnostische biomarkers en fenotypes van lipoedeem

Organisation/Company KU LEUVEN Research Field Medical sciences » Medicine Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 18 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (UTC) Country Belgium Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number BAP
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Lipedema is a chronic condition characterized by the disproportionate fat distribution and bilateral and symmetrical accumulation of subcutaneous adipose tissue, primarily in the legs. The mechanisms underlying its clinical manifestations remain poorly understood. For this reason, lipedema is diagnosed clinically based on following symptoms and subjective physical examination. As a result, the diagnosis of lipedemaremains unstandardized and it is frequentlymisdiagnosed as obesity.

The BIO-LIP project is a case-control study that aims to develop a precise diagnostic approach that goes beyond observable clinical changes and self-reported symptoms to differentiate lipedema patients from those with obesity, as well as non-obese controls.

The first aim of the BIO-LIP project is to identify the diagnostic potential of biomarkers for lipedema, which can be divided into 5 domains:

• body composition
• sensory profile
• circulating
• physical functioning
• psychological functioning-(related) biomarkers

Position

You will work actively on the preparation of a PhD thesis.

You will perform the recruitment of patients for the BIO-LIP project at the University Hospital of Leuven.

You will perform evaluations of the participants with lipedema and obesity and nonobese-controls (i.e. measurements on body composition, sensory profile, and physical functioning related biomarkers), in cooperation with the research team, in the University Hospital of Leuven.

You will be involved in organization of international expert consensus meetings.

Youwill be involved in data management (set up REDCap and entering data in REDCap). You will be involved in data analyses and interpretation.

You will be involved in the dissemination of the project results.

You will publish scientific articles related to the project.

You will be involved in science communication (e.g. social media) related to the project.

You will carry out a limited number of teaching and research support tasks for KU Leuven.

You hold a Master degree in Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, in Medicine or in Biomedical Sciences or you will have obtained it by September 2025. To have an qualification to get blood samples is a positive point regarding application.

You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

You are a highly motivated, enthusiastic, critical and creative individual to join our team.

You are interested in scientific research and motivated to start a PhD. You have already built up a good study and internship curriculum.

You enjoy working with patients in collaboration with a team of doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and researchers.

You are Dutch-speaking, fluent in English and have good communication skills.

You have organizational skills, are accurate and eager to learn.

You have a flexible attitude.

We offer a doctoral scholarship for a period of 1 year. Following a positive evaluation, the scholarship can be renewed for another 3 years.

The planned start date is October 2026 (based on availability).You will do your work at Campus Gasthuisberg and Campus Pellenberg of KU Leuven and University Hospital Leuven in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.

The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the Final date to receive applications. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed…