The VirusBank Platform (KU Leuven) is a research unit (funded by the Belgian Federal Government, ministry of Public Health) embedded in the Virology, Antiviral Drug & Vaccine Research Group, of the Rega Institute with support from the Centre for Drug Design & Discovery with the mission to better prepare society against future viral epidemics/pandemics. As such, the objective of the VirusBank Platform is to build a strategic collection of viruses together with in vitro assays and in vivo models which will facilitate the discovery and characterization of antiviral therapeutic modalities against virus families with high epidemic/pandemic potential.
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Responsibilities
The VirusBank Platform is currently looking for a Research Manager to be responsible for the daily management of the scientific activities of a multidisciplinary and highly qualified team of scientists and technicians to ensure optimal operational and scientific functioning of the team.
The mission of the VirusBank is to implement and further develop a broad range of model systems and assays for a wide array of virus families, particularly those with epidemic and pandemic potential. This objective requires:
(i) extensive and in-depth knowledge through continuous monitoring of the scientific literature;
(ii) substantial expertise in the development of such models, encompassing cell culture, molecular biology, and animal models; and
(iii) proven experience in international networking and collaboration.
The Research Manager must demonstrate mastery in all these areas in order to effectively lead a team of researchers and technical staff in the targeted and efficient scientific execution of this broad and complex mandate. This is a multifaceted and demanding task, requiring the full dedication of a highly qualified professional.
This role is distinctly different from that of the Operational Director, who is responsible for infrastructure, logistics, compliance, and resource management needed to support scientific work, and the Managing Director, who is responsible for strategic direction, institutional visibility, governance, and long-term planning, reporting to the steering committee.
- You will be responsible for the organization, management and coordination of in vitro and in vivo virus-related research activities in the VirusBank platform.
- You will map potential collaborations with academic groups and industrial partners, and reaches out and maintains contacts with relevant players in the field to facilitate potential collaborations.
- In collaboration with colleagues and partner organizations, you will take the initiative in shaping, developing, and refining the strategic direction of the VirusBank Platform, drawing on your expertise and insights into emerging epidemiological trends as well as relevant scientific and technological developments.
- You will introduce and/or develop highly standardized assays and SOPs and provide highest quality laboratory services
- You are responsible for the analyses, interpretation, and management of research data.
- You will identify, train and supervise highly competent staff (technicians and post-doctoral researchers) to ensure highest quality research.
- You write project proposals to acquire internal/external funding for pandemic preparedness research and provides, proactively and on demand, significant input in support of other research projects within the VirusBank Platform.
- You are a driving force that initiates, steers and independently writes scientific
- publications.
- You will also be responsible for the scientific monitoring of ongoing projects, including tracking progress toward milestones, adjusting project plans when necessary, contributing to reporting activities and you will keep management informed about the progress of activities related to financial management.
- You continuously judge novel technological developments and aim to introduce and explore them in the laboratory, in case they appear relevant for the ongoing research.
- You work in close collaboration with the Center for Drug Discovery (CD3), research groups in Rega institute and external private and non-private research organisations to initiate and support antiviral drug discovery projects with a continuous focus on identifying opportunities for valorisation.
- You take policy decisions, in consultation with the managing director of the VirusBank Platform, with a clear vision and you ensure further successful follow-up of the decisions.
Profile
- A PhD in Biomedical Sciences (Virology) with a minimum of 8 years post-doc or industry drug discovery experience.
- Experience within the field of antiviral drug and vaccine development for virus families relevant for the mission of the VirusBank Platform, including developing and optimizing assays and models for the evaluation of preventive and therapeutic measures against these viruses.
- Extensive experience with ethical criteria for animal testing including writing animal study projects for submission to ethical committees. Extensive expertise in designing and managing studies on virus infection models in laboratory animals (conducted in either BSL2 or BSL3 animal facilities).
- Strong, demonstrable organizational, logistical, project and people management skills.
- Extensive experience with laboratory management and guidance of scientists (post-doc level) and technicians.
- Extensive expertise in designing protocols and writing of SOPs.
- Experience in grant writing.
- Extensive experience in managing projects with different stakeholders both in industry and academia including the management of contract research activities.
- An extensive track record of publishing, including as first author, in international high-impact peer-reviewed journals.
- Able to critically identify and evaluate new project opportunities.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills acknowledging the multicultural working environment required to successfully lead and manage the teams’ activities.
Offer
We offer a full-time and permanent position as research manager in "het onderzoekskader" of KU Leuven.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Johan Neyts, tel.: +32 16 32 18 93, mail: [email protected] or Mr. Koert Stittelaar, tel.: +32 16 19 38 66, mail: [email protected].
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
