Protein GMP Purification

Category:  Management & Professionals

1 - Working at the VUB

For almost 50 years, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel has stood for freedom, equality and connectedness. These values are strongly present on our campuses, in our students as well as our staff. At the VUB, you’ll find a diverse collection of personalities: pure innovators and especially people who are 100% their authentic selves. With about 3.500 employees, we are the largest Flemish-speaking employer in Brussels, an international city with which we are all too happy to be connected, and around which our four campuses are located.

2 - Position Description

The Laboratory for In Vivo Cellular and Molecular Imaging (ICMI) is a multidisciplinary team that conducts research on the development and validation of radioactive and fluorescently tagged proteins. VDU is a subunit of this lab and specializes in the production of nanobodies. We aim to manufacture nanobodies under GMP conditions for small-scale toxicity and clinical studies.  We are looking for a highly motivated colleague who can provide support in the purification of these nanobodies.

Techniques: Protein purification via chromatography, filtration and/or precipitation; equipment management; validation of purification techniques and equipment; implementation of new biotechnological techniques; working in a clean room environment; writing procedures and protocols.

Some of your tasks:

• Executing operational activities in a GMP clean-room facility

• Taking responsibility for the purification section of a GMP unit

• Setting up procedures to purify proteins from a microbial extract

• Upscaling protein purification procedures to liter-levels

• Evaluating the robustness of purification procedures

• You write standard operating procedures in English

• You work on the continuous improvement and maintenance of the quality management system

• You ensure the qualification and maintenance of the equipment and infrastructure related to the purification procedures

• You take responsibility for the adequate documentation of the performed processes

• Perform quality control of purity and composition of proteins

• As a team, take up the challenge to deliver proteins for clinical studies

• Take up a coordinating function and oversee the whole GMP process from microbial strain generation to purified protein

For this position, the Brussels Health Campus in Jette will be your home base.

3 - Profile

Required expertise and/or diplomas: Minimally a Bachelor in Pharmaceutical and Biological Techniques, Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Biotechnology
Master's degree in Biomedical or Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bioengineering, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or a Doctor in biomedical science or (bio-)engineering.

• Knowledge of GMP processes, either through training or work experience, or a very strong interest in GMP processes, is a requirement.

• Preferably, you already have a couple of years of experience in the field or you have obtained a PhD in sciences (biology, biomedical sciences...).

• You consider quality to be of paramount importance

• You work very conscientiously and carefully with an eye for detail.

• Protein purification is your thing and has no secrets for you.

• You are able to adapt to changing circumstances or to different people and you can tolerate pressure or setbacks.

• You can communicate fluently with the quality team and colleagues who carry out other tasks in the GMP process.

• You like to take initiative.

• You are always willing to follow relevant training courses.

• You have good English communication skills; Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage.

• You are fluent in current computer software (e.g. MS Office)

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague? You’ll be offered a temporary (1 year, renewable) full-time contract at a salary linked to Grade 5, 6 or 7, depending on your competences and previous relevant work experience.

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’ll enjoy various benefits:

• Full reimbursement for your home-work commute with public transport according to VUB-policy, or compensation if you come by bike;

• Cost-free hospitalisation and group insurance with guaranteed income;

• The space to form your job content and continuously learn via VUB LRN;

• Excellent facilities for sport and exercise;

• Ecocheques;

• Delicious meals at attractive prices in our campus restaurants;

• An open, family-friendly work environment where attention is paid to work-life balance, and exceptional holiday arrangements with 35 days of leave (based on a full-time contract).

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of? Apply before 01/04/2023. Send us your CV, letter of motivation and the highest degree you’ve attained (not applicable for VUB alumni).

Your application will undergo various steps as follows:

• Step 1: CV screening.

• Step 2: An online conversation for further acquaintance.

• Step 3: A final meeting on our campus will take place at an agreed date.

Questions about the job content? Contact Ms Céline Coelis via Celine.Coelis@vub.be or Prof. dr. Nick Devoogdt via Nick.Devoogdt@vub.be (mail).

Questions about the selection procedure? Contact Mrs. Petra Van Den Borre via petra.van.den.borre@vub.be.

Would you like to know what it’s like to work at the VUB?

Go to www.jobs.vub.be and find all there is to know about our campuses, benefits, strategic goals and your future colleagues.

6 - For office use

Regulation: Externe financiering

Contract: Temporary

Head unit/faculty: GF

FTE: 1

Function: Onderwijs- en onderzoeksmedewerker

Pay grade group: 5 - 6 - 7

Recrutement type: werving

DO YOU HAVE ANY FURTHER QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS VACANCY?

You can contact the person mentioned in the job description.

Apply now »