Protein production expert

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 bench-to-bedside. For a European project, we are looking for a motivated professional with a passion for protein production. You’ll become part of the protein production core facility which focuses on the discovery, production, and characterization of small biomolecules, with particular expertise in single-domain antibodies (VHHs or nanobodies).

As part of the protein production core facility, your role will be mainly focused on yeast-based (Pichia Pastoris) recombinant protein productions and purifications. In addition, you’ll be supporting the single-domain discovery and characterization aspects. The function also entails a close collaboration with and supporting role to the Vector Development Unit or VDU team, a cleanroomfacility for the production of lead biomolecules to be used as active pharmaceutical ingredients in first in-human clinical studies.

Techniques 
Upstream and Downstream Production (USP/DSP):

• Microbial manipulation, cell banking, yeast fermentation, cell collection and extraction
• Protein purification and analytics via chromatography (such as IMAC, IEX, HIC, SEC, RP-HPLC), Tangential Flow Filtration and other filtration techniques.
• Single-domain antibody generation and characterization (including library generation, phage display, SPR, ELISA, stability studies)
• Supporting yeast fermentation up to 30L-scale and purfification under cGMP conditions (VDU)
• Equipment management, implementation of biotechnological techniques, designing and writing procedures and protocols.

Tasks

• Taking responsibility for protein production within certain projects, and supporting activites at the VDU, planning and overviewing tasks
• Developing and setting up procedures for yeast fermentation activities, microbial manipulation (P. pastoris), cell banking, scaling-up studies.
• Evaluating the robustness of implemented procedures and keeping a mindset of continuous improvement of the production processes.
• You write procedures and work instructions in English.
• You ensure the operational qualification and maintenance of all production equipment according to predefined specifications
• You are part of the protein core team, where you work in close collaboration with the team members with regards toplanning and production activities
• You are in close contact with the VDU team to support the translation of yeast-based protein productions towards cGMP conditions for use in clinical studies phase I and II.
• You are open to continuous training and (self-)education.
• You can work independently in an interdisciplinary team and together with the MITH research group to bridge the gap from the laboratory to the patient.

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

3 - Profile

What do we expect from you?

Master’s degree (or equivalent through experience) in protein production related studies such as Pharmaceutical and Biological science, Biotechnology, Biomedical or Pharmaceutical Sciences, Bioengineering, Molecular Microbiology or (Bio)chemistry.Expertise in yeast-based (e.g. Pichia Pastoris) recombinant protein productions and protein purification methods is a must. 

Prior experience with single-domain antibody generation, production and/or characterization is of added value. 

• Knowledge of GMP processes and environment, either through training or work experience, or a very strong interest in GMP processes and therefore quality-minded, is an asset.
• You work very conscientiously and carefully with an eye for detail.
• You have strong problem-solving skills.
• You are a team player, positive and flexible, with a collaborative mindset. You can at the same time work independently on a project.
• You like to take initiative and are open to other opinions.
• You have good communication skills in English; Knowledge of Dutch is an advantage.
• You are fluent in computer software such as MS Office, Prism, etc.
• As a (non-)EEA national, meet the conditions for obtaining a valid permit for VUB and comply with the VUB residence requirements. More info here.

4 - Offer

Are you going to be our new colleague? The salary is linked to ATP grades 5, 6 or 7, depending on your competences and previous relevant work experience.
We offer a contract of 1year, extendable, full-time (38hours per week).

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 04/10/2026. 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: A final interview

Do you have questions about the job content? Contact Sonja Van den Block at sonja.van.den.block@vub.be

Do you have questions about the selection procedure? Contact Natasja Amys at natasja.amys@vub.be.

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:

Contract: Fixed contract 1 year, extendable

Head unit/faculty: GF - MITH

FTE: Full-time

Function: Protein production expert

Pay grade group: 5-6-7

Recrutement type: