Post-doctoral Researcher Experimental Virology - VirusBank Platform

The VirusBank Platform (KU Leuven) is a recently created research laboratory (funded by the Federal Government, Ministry of Public Health) embedded in the Rega Institute (www.antivirals.be) with support from CD3 (www.cd3.be) with the mission to better prepare human society against future viral epidemics/pandemics. As such, the objective of the VirusBank Platform is to build a strategic collection of viruses together with toolboxes of innovative assays and in vivo models which will facilitate the discovery and characterization of antiviral strategies against virus families with high epidemic/pandemic potential. The VirusBank Platform is currently looking for a Post-doctoral Researcher who will contribute to a research program aiming to develop these toolboxes and deploy them for the discovery and characterization of antiviral strategies against viral families with high epidemic or pandemic potential. As a member of the VirusBank Platform research team, the candidate will be responsible for the daily coordination and conduct of scientific research with the aim to develop/optimize and mechanistically characterize toolboxes of infectious assays and in vivo models.

Responsibilities

• Independently design and execute experimental viral infection research as well as in collaboration with other researchers

• Assist lab technicians with the optimization and validation of cell-based screenings of new molecules against various viruses, data analysis and reporting

• Contribute to project management and provide guidance to (junior) research technicians

• Conduct accurate monitoring, documenting, and reporting of experimental results and/or research findings

• Write and review research papers, and develop connections with local and international researchers for collaborative work

• Perform other related duties incidental to the work described herein

Profile

• PhD in Virology, Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or other related disciplines

• Prior hands-on experience in molecular virology techniques and/or cell-based biomedical research is essential

• Experience with animal experimentation and in vivo viral infection models (FELASA, B and/or C certification, or comparable) is considered a significant plus

• Able to design and plan experiments independently and execute them with precision and speed while working according to all safety regulations and protocols

• Able to analyze data in a critical manner and report data in a comprehensive way

• Meticulous in detailed recording and organizing of experimental data

• Excellent English communication skills, both verbal and written

• Experience-appropriate publication track-record

• Effective organizational and interpersonal communication with strong written and presentation skills

• Able to work independently, but with a team player spirit in a dynamic multicultural and multilingual environment

Offer

• The opportunity to work in a young, dynamic, multi-disciplinary, and international team with access to outstanding research infrastructure

• A job with a lot of independence and responsibility, and an environment in which you will gain a lot of experience

• The full-time position is open immediately and available for an initial period of 2.5 year with the possibility of extension

• A competitive salary package based on experience and profile

Interested?

For more information please contact: Dr Aleksandra Siekierska, Head of Operations VirusBank Platformola.siekierska@kuleuven.beDr Dirk Roymans, Managing Director VirusBank Platformdirk.roymans@cistim.be

You can apply for this job no later than August 16, 2022, via the online application tool

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.