Scientist Lab technician/manager_Laval Lab
Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine
Ghent University
The Laval lab is seeking for a talented Scientist Lab technician/manager to join our team at the faculty of veterinary medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.
The Laval lab focuses on the pathogenesis of human and animal viruses infecting the nervous system, with particular attention to the associated immune responses. We aim to clearly address a possible viral aetiology and identify potential common neuroinflammatory mechanisms by which viruses initiate neurodegenerative diseases. Our lab is particularly interested in the role of herpesviruses (e.g., HSV1), coronaviruses (e.g., Porcine Hemagglutinating Encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV)) and paramyxoviruses (e.g., Canine distemper virus (CDV)) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.
Responsabilities
· You manage day-to-day laboratory activities and support PhD students with pratical work. Some of these tasks include: (i) in vitro work: weekly maintenance of cell cultures and viral growth; immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry stainings, microscopy analysis, ELISA, PCR; (ii) in vivo work: animal monitoring and maintenance of animal facility, help and assist PhD students with animal experiments (e.g., inoculations, dissections, tissue sampling and processing, …).
· You will work with BSL-2 and BSL-3 pathogens and therefore strictly comply with biosafety rules.
· You have insights in the main objective of protocols and experiments and make recommendations for technical improvements and follow up of assays.
· You are responsible for the adequate qualification and training of the lab team with respect to the activities performed.
· You help master students with practical work and help onboard new lab members.
· You are responsible for logistical and administrative tasks in the lab (e.g., maintenance and scheduled use of equipment, ordering supplies, software and documentation, …).
Your profile
Knowledge and experience
· You have a degree that allows you to perform the function of laborant.
· You have relevant scientific and lab management experience.
· You have experience with cell culture and virology related techniques (e.g., viral growth, viral titration).
· You have a strong experience with microscopy techniques (e.g., immunofluorescent and immunohistochemistry).
· You have experience working with animals (e.g., mice).
· You have a good knowledge of English (spoken and written): given the international nature of the team, this is a necessity. Knowledge of Dutch and French are a plus.
· You have good documentation and PC skills: in depth knowledge of MS Office, relevant software tools for data analysis, equipment operations, etc.
Skills and attitude
· You have strong communication skills.
· You are a team player and enjoy working in a dynamic environnment.
· You work precisely, structured and with an eye for detail.
· You are an enthusiastic, proactive, disciplined, precised and self-motivated individual.
· You are able to work independently in the lab.
· You have scientific integrity and are eager to learn/assimilate novel concepts.
· You are flexible and stress-resistant. You know how to organize yourself according to priorities, you are willing to do occasional weekend/evening animal duties.
· You are interested to take part in the virology and neuroscience research carried in the lab.
· You deeply care for the wellbeing of animals housed in the lab.
If you are a highly a motivated laboratory professional, I invite you to join my team and make a significant impact on the future of viral-induced neurodegenerative diseases.
For more information regarding the job content, please contact Prof. Dr. Kathlyn Laval on 09 264 73 90 or at kathlyn.laval@ugent.be.
For more information regarding the selection procedure, please contact the Recruitment Office by emailing selecties@ugent.be. Please do not send your application by email.