Laboratory assistant microbial fermentation and purification

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

MITH is an academic research group developing diagnostic and therapeutic biopharmaceuticals with a strong vision to bring innovation from the bench to bedside. We have established a cleanroom facility for the production of lead biomolecules for human clinical trials. With this unit we want to valorize our laboratory studies by bringing them into a GMP environment and thus guarantee safe testing on humans at the UZ Brussels university hospital. We are looking for a motivated professional with a passion for pharmaceutical quality processes.

Techniques: microbial manipulation (P. pastoris), cell banking, fermentation in a small-scale (30L) bioreactor, cell collection, cell extraction, protein purification via chromatography, filtration, precipitation device management, validation of fermentation processes and devices, working in a clean room environment, writing procedures and protocols.

Here is a selection of your tasks:

• Carrying out operational activities in a GMP clean room facility.
• Taking responsibility for the fermentation branch of the GMP unit.
• Setting up procedures to ferment microbes and extract proteins.
• Setting up procedures to purify proteins from a microbial extract.
• Scaling up protein purification procedures to liter-level.
• Evaluating the robustness of purification procedures.
• You write standard operating procedures in English.
• You contribute to the continuous improvement and maintenance of the quality management system.
• You ensure the qualification and maintenance of the equipment and infrastructure related to the fermentation procedures.
• Taking responsibility for the proper documentation of the performed processes.
• As a team you take up the challenge to deliver proteins for clinical studies.
• You are open to continuous training and self-study.

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

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

• Bachelor Pharmaceutical and Biological Techniques, Biomedical Laboratory Techniques, Biotechnology, or Master's degree in Biomedical or Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bioengineer, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology
• Knowledge of GMP processes, either through training or work experience, or a very strong interest in GMP processes, is a requirement.
• You consider quality to be of paramount importance.
• You work very conscientiously and carefully with an eye for detail.
• Microbial manipulation, fermentation and 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 stand up to a bit of pressure or a setback.You can communicate smoothly 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 communication skills in English; knowledge of Dutch is a plus.
• You are fluent in current computer software (e.g. MS Office) or specific software packages and tools.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague? You’ll be offered a temporary (1 year - renewable after positive evaluation) full-time contract in grade 5, 6 or 7. Salary is 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 fulltime contract).  

5 - Interested?

Is this the job you’ve been dreaming of? Apply before 01/05/2024. 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 by one of our recruiters.
• Step 2: Invitation to write a short essay in English related to the job description.
• Step 3: An online interview with one of our recruiters
• Step 4: A final interview with various members of the team.

Do you have questions about the job content or selection procedure? Contact Prof. Nick Devoogdt at vdu@vub.be or on 02/477 43 11

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: ATP

Contract: 12 months, renewable after positive evaluation

Head unit/faculty: Faculty GF, research group MITH

FTE: 100%

Function: Technical expert

Pay grade group: 5-6-7

Recrutement type: recruitment