Industrial Postdoctoral Scientist: Human In Vitro Neural Models for Connectivity and Disease

UCB; Eigenbrakel; Hybrid; EUR 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Job summary

UCB is seeking a curious, collaborative and proactive Industrial Postdoctoral Scientist to join the In Vitro Pharmacology team at the Braine-l’Alleud site in Belgium. You will develop advanced human in vitro neural models of neurological disease and pain biology, generating phenotypic and mechanistic insights with potential applications in target discovery.

This is a dynamic, global biopharmaceutical environment.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in cell biology, neuroscience, stem cell biology or related field.
• Experience developing human iPSC-derived neural models for neurological disease research.
• Practical expertise in advanced neural cultures, functional measurements or imaging for complex models.
• Strong experimental design, data analysis and scientific problem solving.
• Ability to drive projects independently while collaborating across teams.
• Excellent written and spoken English for internal and conference presentations.

Responsibilities

• Develop, establish and characterize complex human in vitro models for neurological diseases and pain biology.
• Design and implement iPSC-derived model systems to study neuronal connectivity and network function.
• Build 2D/3D and multicellular models including organoids and assembloids.
• Design, conduct, analyze and interpret experiments supporting target discovery and therapy development.
• Implement innovative measurements to produce high-quality, reproducible data.
• Communicate findings to multidisciplinary teams and introduce new technologies.

Skills

iPSC-derived neural models

neural culture techniques

experimental design

data analysis

scientific communication

Education

PhD in cell biology

PhD in neuroscience

PhD in stem cell biology

Tools

iPSC culture

neural imaging

organoids

assembloids

Job description

We are looking for a curious, collaborative and proactive Industrial Postdoctoral Scientist to join our In Vitro Pharmacology team, based at our Braine-l’Alleud site in Belgium.

About The Role

This industry-based postdoctoral project offers you the opportunity to conduct innovative research within a global biopharmaceutical environment. You will develop advanced human in vitro neural models of neurological disease and pain biology, generating phenotypic and mechanistic insights with potential applications in target or therapeutic discovery. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented scientist to contribute to cutting-edge neuroscience research in a dynamic drug discovery environment, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Who You’ll Work With

You will be working in the human biology platform from the in vitro pharmacology department that supports neuroscience programs involving small molecules, biological medicines and gene therapies. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary scientists and external scientific experts, using modern laboratory technologies to connect human disease biology with advanced cellular models to gain translational knowledge of novel targets or disease biologies.

What You’ll Do

• Develop, establish, and characterize complex human in vitro models relevant to neurological diseases and pain biology.
• Design and implement human iPSC-derived model systems to study neuronal connectivity, synaptic communication, and network function.
• Build two-dimensional, three-dimensional and multicellular models, including organoids, assembloids and microphysiological platforms.
• Design, conduct, analyse and interpret experiments supporting target discovery, validation and potential therapy development.
• Implement innovative cellular, molecular, imaging and functional measurements, producing high-quality and reproducible data.
• Communicate findings to multidisciplinary teams and introduce relevant emerging technologies and scientific methods.

Interested? For this role we’re looking for the following education, experience and skills

• Doctorate in cell biology, neuroscience, stem cell biology, biomedical sciences or a related discipline.
• Experience developing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural models for neurological disease research.
• Practical expertise in advanced neural cultures, functional measurements or imaging methods for complex models.
• Strong experimental design, data analysis, scientific problem-solving and appropriate statistical interpretation skills.
• Ability to progress scientific projects independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Clear written and spoken English, with confidence presenting scientific findings internally and at conferences.

About Us

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

Why work with us?

At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential.

At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on [e-mail]. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.