Lab Technician for In Vivo Multiplexed CRISPR Screening

1000scholars; Oost-Vlaanderen; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hospitalization insurance

Pension plan

Eco-cheques

Bike allowance

Job summary

1000scholars in Belgium is seeking a wet-lab technician to support in vivo CRISPR screening as part of the PowerPortrait ERC project. You will work under a staff scientist, contributing to CRISPR screens from start to finish using high-end technologies.

You will culture primary murine stem cells, genetically modify them, perform cell transduction, multicolor flow cytometry and FACS sorting, and assist with buffers and general lab tasks in a high-tech environment with core facilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or higher in biomedical laboratory field.
• FELASA B/C certificate or willingness to obtain.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Experience with in vitro work and mice.
• Experience with PCR/qPCR and molecular techniques.
• Knowledge of lab safety procedures.
• Ability to work in a team.

Responsibilities

• Support in vivo CRISPR screening from start to finish.
• Culture primary murine stem cells and genetically modify them.
• Perform cell transduction, flow cytometry and FACS sorting.
• Conduct light/fluorescence and confocal microscopy; irradiation as needed.
• Assist with buffers and general lab tasks.

Skills

In vitro work

Mice handling

PCR/qPCR

Lab safety

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Flow cytometry

FACS

Confocal microscopy

CRISPR editing

Job description

About us

The Laboratory of Causal Systems Immunology combines large-scale in vivo perturbation experiments, advanced mouse models of immune diseases and causal learning to uncover how genes shape immune-cell states and predict how the immune system responds to interventions. This tight integration of experimental immunology with data-driven experiments allows us to tackle fundamental biological questions with direct biomedical relevance. We are embedded in both the VIB-UGent Center for Inflammation Research, a leading center unravelling the cellular and molecular mechanisms of inflammatory diseases, and the VIB Center for AI & Computational Biology, a young, ambitious center whose research groups address biological questions through the lens of AI.

About the role

The lab is looking for a wet-lab technician to support in vivo CRISPR screening. You will join the ERC Starting Grant project PowerPortrait, which aims to disentangle the regulation of a key immune cell—the macrophage in health and disease.

Under the supervision of a staff scientist, you will work both collaboratively and independently on CRISPR screens from start to finish using various high-end technologies. This involves the in vitro culture of primary murine stem cells and genetically altering them using CRISPR technology to generate transgenic mice. You will perform a variety of techniques, including cell and mouse work, cell transduction, multicolor flow cytometry and FACS sorting, light/fluorescence and confocal microscopy and irradiation. In addition, you will support general tasks within the lab such as preparing buffers. We offer a high-tech environment, support from several core facilities, training opportunities and a diverse, vibrant team.

Your profile

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in biomedical laboratory technology, biochemistry, biotechnology, animal care or a related field
• FELASA B/C certificate or willingness to obtain the certificate in a timely manner
• Fluency in written and spoken English
• Experience with in vitro work
• Experience working with mice
• Experience with molecular techniques such as PCR and qPCR
• Knowledge of laboratory health and safety procedures
• Previous laboratory experience (placements completed during degree studies are sufficient)Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Desirable bot not required
• Experience in culturing stem cells
• Experience with intravenous and intraperitoneal injections.
• Experience with cell transfection techniques (particularly viral transduction).
• Basic understanding of immunologyBasic understanding of flow cytometry and confocal microscopy

Key personal characteristics

• You are enthusiastic and curious about scientific research
• You like learning new techniques and want to stay at the technological forefront
• You are willing to participate in the general lab organization
• You can work well in a team and independently
• You are accurate and critical of your work and its implementation
• You have a strong ability to multitask and meet deadlinesYou enjoy other cultures and are respectful of others and their different ideas and opinions

Our offer

• A full-time position
• A challenging job in a stimulating, collaborative environment with opportunities for personal development
• You will learn new techniques and tools
• Freedom to shape your work and role
• Exposure to diverse projects and cutting-edge technologies
• A generous annual leave policy to create a good work-life balance
• A competitive salary and benefits including hospitalization insurance, pension plan, eco-cheques, a bicycle allowance or full reimbursement of public transport costs
• This role is part of a 5-year project, with the possibility of extension depending on the availability of funds.