About the job
We are looking for a highly motivated lab technician to join our team at the VIB-KU Leuven Lab of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism. Specifically, we aim to recruit someone to fill two roles: (i) mouse colony technician and (ii) wet-lab technician.
The selected candidate will join a motivated international team under supervision of Prof. Peter Carmeliet. Our team consists of ~45 scientists, including 9 PhD students and 6 postdocs, 12 wet-lab technicians and 4 computational experts.
This role involves working closely with the other technicians, PhD students and postdoctoral researchers to ensure smooth running of the lab. The role will include husbandry and management of mouse colonies, coordination of the stock management system, assisting in lab activities, ensuring compliance with various regulations including safety. Being a team player with excellent management and organizational skills is essential.
Mouse Colony Manager responsibilities
1. Manage mouse colony to ensure adequate numbers of breeding/stock cages.
2. Report on the status of mouse colonies to the team and ensure compliance of the whole team with the allocated numbers of cages.
3. Manage the mouse colony database daily (via LAIS-system).
4. Genotyping (DNA-extraction, PCR).
5. Ensure compliance with all institutional and federal guidelines for animal care and use.
Lab technician responsibilities
6. Participate in diverse lab activities: molecular biology (PCR); FACS; cell culture (isolation & culture of endothelial cells).
7. Ensure compliance of the team with lab safety regulations and improve the safety of experimental procedures where required.
8. Manage stock systems & place orders.
9. Onboarding of new team members to the lab, explaining rules and routines.
Additional Responsibilities
10. Coordinate activities with other wet lab technicians to ensure duties are distributed evenly.
11. Maintain detailed and accurate records.
12. Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues that arise during experiments.
13. Demonstrate flexibility and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
Profile
Essential
14. Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in biomedical, biotechnological techniques or animal care (or related)
15. FELASA B/C certificate
16. Experience working with mice
17. Fluent in Dutch and English, for both written and oral communication
18. Experience in molecular biology techniques (PCR, western blotting) and FACS
19. Basic computer skills (text processing, spreadsheet, presentations)
20. Knowledge and previous experience of working in a lab (health and safety).
21. Enthusiastic team player and problem solver
Key personal characteristics
22. You are highly organised
23. You are enthusiastic and curious about scientific research
24. You are willing to organise and participate in the general lab organisation
25. You can work well in a team and independently
26. You are accurate and critical of your work and its implementation
27. You have a strong ability to multi-task and meet deadlines
28. You enjoy other cultures and are respectful of others and their different ideas/opinions
We offer
29. The ability to work on high-impact research topics
30. Full or part-time (80%) appointment as a laboratory technician
31. A competitive pay scale and benefits (health insurance)
32. A permanent position after an initial trial period
33. A stimulating and supportive international research environment (with English as main language)
34. State-of-the-art infrastructure
35. A varied work schedule, with significant autonomy over how you plan your day
Starting date : as soon as possible.