Laboratory Technician

AstriVax is a privately held spin-off company from the KU Leuven, founded mid 2022 with a seed round of €30 million to bring our ambition to the next level. We are building a first in class Plug & Play vaccine platform with a patented DNA based technology that launches self-amplifying live attenuated viruses on which additional targets can be added. The versatile technology of AstriVax can be used to develop a wide range of vaccines to prevent and treat infectious diseases, up to potential applications in oncology. We aim to address major challenges in vaccinology by developing novel vaccines that are single dose (game changing in vaccine landscape), easy to produce and with reduced cold chain requirements. The live attenuated viruses being launched from our products induce a polyfunctional immune response which has the potential to address many unmet medical need targets.

We are currently hiring a Laboratory Technician to perform in vivo, ex vivo and in vitro studies on the efficacy, mechanism of action and immunogenicity of vaccines developed by AstriVax.

YOUR ROLE

As Laboratory Technician you perform the daily laboratory activities to analyse the efficacy, mechanism of action and the immune responses generated by the company’s Plasmid Launched Live Attenuated Virus (PLLAV) vector vaccine.

Your main responsibilities include:

  • Independently plan and execute in vivo studies, including all related activities such as general animal handling, anesthesia, compound administration via different routes, sample collection.
  • Perform a wide variety of immunological assays, such as ELISPOT, flow cytometry based assays, ELISA, multiplex cytokine assays, and analyze results.
  • Contribute to laboratory protocol writing.
  • Work closely with internal and external collaborators.

YOUR PROFILE 

  • Bachelor or Master degree in Biomedical sciences/ Biochemistry/Biology/Biomedical laboratory technology or equivalent through working experience.
  • FELASA B or C certification, hands-on experience and affinity with in vivo animal models are required.
  • Following skills are considered as a plus:
    o Hands-on experience with aseptical sample handling and (primary) cell culture
    o Experience in setting up and performing various cell culture assays
    o Experience working with infectious agents
  • Good working knowledge of English.
  • Curious and eager to learn.
  • Strong sense for details and critical mind.
  • Trustful execution and reliable reporting.
  • A real collaborative Team player with a hands-on can do and solution-oriented attitude.

WHAT DO WE OFFER

A stimulating, open and collaborative environment where every employee can make an impact.  We believe that we can only achieve our goal if we work together. You’ll be part of a passionate and inspiring team that goes the extra mile to address major challenges in vaccinology. We foster a culture of learning, entrepreneurship and innovation. Together we build the company.

Are you in for this new professional challenge? Pease send your CV to hr@astrivax.com, we welcome your talent!