Senior Research Associate – Primary Cells & Drug Discovery

VIB BV; Vlaams-Brabant; On-site; EUR 39,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

VIB in Leuven, Belgium, seeks a (Senior) Research Associate with strong experience in human primary cells to join the VIB Discovery Sciences team. You will develop and optimize T-cell activation assays and co-culture systems, with readouts from flow cytometry, AlphaLISA and ELISA, supporting early drug discovery projects.

The role is a temporary replacement starting January 2027, with an expected duration of approximately three to six months.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in a life sciences field.
• Minimum 3 years of lab-based experience; industry experience is a plus.
• Hands-on with human primary cells including T-cell activation; moDCs/co-culture is a plus; CD8+T biology is beneficial.
• Experience with flow cytometry, AlphaLISA and ELISA assays.
• Strong organizational and teamwork skills; able to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize human primary cell co-culture assays for drug discovery.
• Screen and characterize drug leads; readouts include flow cytometry, AlphaLISA, ELISA.
• Analyze data, perform statistical analyses, and interpret results.
• Prepare reports and communicate results to internal teams and partners.
• Support biobank activities: PBMC isolation; CD4+/CD8+ T and monocyte isolation/ expansion.
• Maintain lab supplies and provide general lab support.

Skills

T-cell activation assays

Flow cytometry

AlphaLISA

ELISA

moDCs/co-culture assays

CD8+ T cell biology

Human primary cells

Multi-tasking

Education

Master’s degree in biology/biochemistry/biotechnology/biomedical science

PhD in sciences

Tools

MACS technology

Job description

VIB in Leuven, Belgium, seeks a (Senior) Research Associate with strong experience in human primary cells to join the VIB Discovery Sciences team. You will develop and optimize T-cell activation assays and co-culture systems, with readouts from flow cytometry, AlphaLISA and ELISA, supporting early drug discovery projects.

The role is a temporary replacement starting January 2027, with an expected duration of approximately three to six months.