ITM Antwerp Call for Applications: Molecular Data for Infectious Diseases

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) Antwerp is calling for applications for this online and face-2-face course on “Molecular Data for Infectious Diseases (MID)” starting in October 2024. Despite rapid advances in molecular methods, their implementation in low-resource environments often remains cumbersome due to logistic, financial, and human resource constraints. MID focusses on the selection and analysis of appropriate assays and their implementation in a particular research setting.

Date: October 7, 2024 – February 28, 2025

Place: Online & in person in Antwerp, Belgium

Learning objectives: At the end of the course the student should be able to:

• select the most appropriate molecular methods for detection or characterization of an etiological agent or vector, in order to answer specific questions in a clinical or epidemiological research context, and given the restrictions in terms of infrastructure, logistics, personnel, ethics, and budget.
• plan accurate molecular data collection and analysis in a resource-limited context.
• infer research conclusions given the limitations of the proposed methods and sample.
• present the selected methodology and implementation plan orally and in writing, with clear argumentation of relevance and feasibility.
• work actively in a team to design and present the implementation strategy.
• explain clinical and epidemiological study designs and concepts.

Eligibility criteria:

• A primary university degree (min. 4 years) equivalent to 240 ECTS (in the European Union called a master’s degree) in Life Sciences.
• The minimum language requirements are proof of a TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) score of 79-93, an IELTS score of 6.5 or other qualifying evidence of an English CEFR level of B2-C1 meaning a higher tier B2 or C1.
• To participate in the preparation part, access to a computer and internet connection is required. Ideally, students use the same laptop as the one used during the face-to-face part, as this allows pre-installing the required software.
• You are able to use the Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, Powerpoint,…) or equivalent.
• Relevant experience in molecular biology in one or several of the following techniques: conventional PCR (gel-based) / real-time PCR / quantitative PCR / DNA extraction / RNA extraction / sanger (dideoxy) sequence analysis / next-generation sequence analysis / molecular cloning / fragment analysis / primer and probe development. At least in one of these techniques, the student must be able to develop an assay or analysis pipeline given a specific research question.
• For the interactive part, students must have passed the preparation tests (min. 50%).

Tuition fee:

• € 730 EEA / 1900 non-EEA

Read more here.

Application deadline August 14, 2024.