(Senior) Research Associate VIB DS Leuven - Temporary replacement position

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

Contract type: Temporary replacement contract | Start date: January 2027

VIB is a world-class life sciences research institute in Flanders, Belgium, with more than 2000 scientists across 4 universities. VIB has a long and successful history of translating scientific breakthroughs into impactful societal innovations and new innovative biotech companies.

The current position is within the VIB Discovery Sciences (VIB DS) team, a group of 20+ translational research scientists with a strong industry background. VIB DS focuses on the validation and translation of VIB's scientific breakthroughs into drug, biomarker and diagnostic discovery projects to support new venture creation and licensing opportunities as part of the VIB Innovation & Business team. VIB DS is looking for a (Senior) Research Associate with relevant experience to join one of our project teams in Leuven, focused on developing human primary cell assays. The candidate will bring expertise and hands‑on experience with human primary cells, T‑cell activation assays (and possibly moDCs) to the project.

About the role

This is a temporary replacement position to ensure continuity during the absence of a team member. Your responsibilities:

• Help develop and optimize human primary cell co‑culture assays, supporting the progression of a drug discovery project.
• Screen and characterize drug leads. Readouts are flow cytometry, alphaLISA and ELISA.
• Analyze and interpret experimental data, perform statistical analysis.
• Communicate results internally and to the partner and write experimental reports.
• Support biobank‑related activities: isolation of PBMCs from buffy coats. Isolate (& expand) CD4+T, CD8+T and monocytes from PBMCs using MACS technology and relevant protocols.
• General support to the lab and maintenance of lab supplies and stocks.

Your profile

• You have a master´s degree in biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, laboratory or biomedical science or a PhD in sciences.
• A minimum of 3 years of relevant lab‑based experience is required. Experience in industry is a plus, but not mandatory.
• You have solid hands‑on experience in working with human primary cells including T‑cell activation assays. Ideally, you also have experience with moDCs generation and co‑culture assays. Expertise in CD8+T cell biology is a big plus.
• You have experience with flow cytometry, alphaLISA and ELISA assays.
• You have excellent organizational skills and can work in a team as well as independently.
• You can multi‑task and meet timelines.
• You enjoy a dynamic and international environment.
• A sense of humor is highly recommended.
• You have good social and communication skills in spoken and written English.

Our offer

• A full‑time replacement contract starting in January 2027 for the duration of the employee’s absence. Based on the information currently available, we expect the assignment to last approximately three to six months
• We provide a supportive, stimulating and international environment with a clear focus on drug development, at the forefront of life sciences, in the best team ever,working from our site in Leuven
• You will be exposed to different aspects of early drug discovery
• Total social security, including pension scheme and health care program.