Our research group, the Laboratory Molecular Vectorlogy and Gene Therapy (LMVGT) is part of ADVANTAGE labs (Advanced Disease Modeling, Targeted Drug Discovery and Gene Therapy), Dept. Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, group Biomedical Sciences at KU Leuven, Belgium.
Our mission is to advance viral vector engineering, technology development, production, and application for rare disease modelling and gene therapy. We work in close partnership with the Leuven Viral Vector Core (LVVC), a fully equipped BSL2 academic viral vector production facility and technology platform for retroviral (RV), lentiviral (LV), recombinant AAV (rAAV) and virus-like particles (VLPs).
Our research spans: (i) Synthetic vectorology and establishment of next-generation viral vector platforms ; (ii) Innovative upstream (USP) and downstream (DSP) bioprocess development for viral vector manufacturing ; (iii) Isogenic disease modelling using patient-derived cells, iPSC and organoid-based systems ; (iv) Gene therapy development for rare genetic disorders.
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Responsibilities
We are seeking a highly skilled and motivated Postdoctoral Researcher with demonstrated expertise in viral vector engineering, manufacturing, downstream processing, and analytical validation. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research in viral vector bioprocessing while working within a highly collaborative international network at the forefront of gene therapy manufacturing and process innovation. The project focuses on the development and optimization of scalable bioprocesses for viral vector production and downstream purification and concentration.
The successful candidate will have extensive experience in the production, scale-up, and process engineering of retroviral vectors, including MLV-based retroviral vectors, SIV/FIV/HIV-derived lentiviral vectors, and related virus-like particles (VLPs). Expertise in process characterization, critical quality attribute (CQA) assessment, and analytical validation is highly desirable.
This role combines hands-on scientific leadership, bioprocess innovation, and strategic project coordination within the Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Gene Therapy (LMVGT), while collaborating closely with an international multidisciplinary research consortium.
The position is a fully funded, full-time FTE position associated with a three year international grant cycle beginning in Q3 2026.
Research and Workflow Management Skills expected:
- Independent design, plan and coordinate research in accordance with the projects objectives
- Serve as the primary liaison between LMVGT, LVVC and consortium partners and the other teams
- Track milestones, deliverables, and project timelines ; prepare, present and communicate project updates, directives, and scientific progress across teams
- Provide scientific background and feedback on results to technicians and scientific guidance to other team members
- Organize and coordinate inter‑ and intra‑team meetings
- Maintain meticulous documentation of decisions, action items, and project activities
- Build strong working relationships with PIs, researchers, technicians, and external collaborators
- Implement strategies to ensure timely completion
- Generate scientific proposals to resolve key technical hurdles associated with our work/studies
- Ensure compliance of research studies with internal project guidelines in regard to open access, data tracebillity, laboratory ethics and SOPs
- Assist in preparation and submission of annual scientific and financial reports
Scientific Management
- Identify scientific and operational synergies across teams
- Promote knowledge exchange within the group and across consortium labs
- Engage with scientific staff to align goals, troubleshoot challenges, and explore collaborative opportunities
- Connect researchers with relevant resources, technologies, and expertise to maximize project impact
- Responsible for FAIR data management and data sharing according to Open Science requirements
Profile
Research & Technical Skills
- PhD in biotechnology, biomedical sciences, bioscience engineering, or related discipline.
- Experience in viral vector technology, bioprocess development for rAAV and particularly retroviral vectors and virus-like particles (VLPs)
- Expertise in translating laboratory-scale vector production processes to robust preclinical-scale manufacturing, including optimization of upstream and downstream workflows to meet increased vector demand for in vivo animal studies
- Hands-on experience with CRISPR-Cas genome editing, including generation and validation of knockout (KO) lines. Expertise in base- and prime editing, endogenous gene tagging and targeted knock-in of large DNA cargos via homology-directed repair (HDR) is a strong asset
- Demonstrated experience with FAIR data storage and sharing (readme files, use of metadata standards, familiar with protocols.io, Zenodo, discipline specific repositories)
Soft Skills
- Outstanding organisational and communication abilities
- Strong problem-solving skills, eagerness to manage multiple parallel workflows
- Ability to work efficiently in a fast-paced, collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment
Offer
This role is a fully funded, full-time FTE position associated with a three year international grant cycle beginning in Q3 2026.
The candidate will
- Lead viral vector design, development, and production activities within LMVGT
- Develop of producer cell lines, optimize production, and scale up manufacturing processes for viral vectors and VLPs to pre-clinical scale, enabling manufacturing campaigns for large animal studies and expanded rodent cohorts.
- Perform and supervise experimental work spanning molecular design, viral vector production, purification, quality control, and process validation.
- Implement advanced CRISPR-Cas gene editing approaches, including knockout line generation, base and prime editing, endogenous tagging, and HDR-mediated targeted integration of large DNA cargos
- Drive process mapping, modelling, and techno-economic assessments to support cost-effective and scalable manufacturing strategies
- Contribute to the development of advanced quality control methodologies and CQA frameworks
- Monitor and coordinate operational and scientific progress of the project
- Collaborate closely with the LVVC team and the partner laboratories
- Act as a key communicator between LMVGT, LVVC, project partners, and the Project Manager.
We are an international team that operates at the intersection of synthetic biology, molecular medicine, and rare disease research. Our team is multidisciplinary, international, and deeply collaborative. We strongly believe that the most significant breakthroughs come from radical collaboration between a wide and diverse range of investigators.
Interested?
All applications should go through the KULeuven portal. Please provide a cv, motivation letter and two references.
For more information you can contact Anna Barber Janer, PhD, mail: [email protected] or Rik Gijsbers, Prof PhD Ir, 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.
