You hold a PhD degree in Biochemistry, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or related discipline.You have at least 5 years of hands-on experience in preclinical AAV research within industry and / or academia.You have experience in managing research projects that involve different stakeholders, both academia and industrial partners.You are proficient in designing in vivo experiments in rodents, injections of viral vectors using different routes of administration, behavioural testing, sample processing and post-mortem analyses.You possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills with expertise in gene therapy.You have strong interpersonal and communication skills. Proven record of collaborations and effective work with academic and industrial partners.You possess strong organizational and leadership skills within a research context.You have the ability to take initiative, work independently, and drive projects forward with minimal supervisionYour English communication skills, both written and verbal, are excellent.Designing and overseeing preclinical studies to assess AAV biodistribution and therapeutic efficacy, including drafting detailed study plans with defined timelines, budget and staffing needs.Leading and managing a team of 2-4 lab technicians, ensuring efficient workflow and timely achievement of milestones for both industrial and academic collaborators.Preparing scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals and generating comprehensive study reports for industrial stakeholders.Ensuring full regulatory compliance (e.g., FDA, EMA) in all preclinical activities, maintaining quality standards and validating methodologies to support translational research.Cultivating and maintaining collaborations with national and international partners across academia and industry to advance gene therapy innovation and development.Serving as a subject matter expert in AAV preclinical testing, offering technical guidance and strategic input.Contributing to the strategic planning of the research group, identifying new opportunities, and expanding the research pipeline.Actively participating in internal and external scientific meetings, promoting collaboration and knowledge exchange.Securing research funding through grant applications and collaborative partnerships.The Trellis Research Group, embedded within the Departments of ‘Cellular and Molecular Medicine’ and ‘Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation’ at KU Leuven, is seeking a highly motivated and skilled research manager to lead preclinical studies focused on adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy. This role involves designing and supervising studies to assess AAV biodistribution and proof-of-concept, managing a multidisciplinary research team, and fostering collaborations with academic and industry partners.
- A full-time position of unlimited duration in a young and dynamic team of ± 25 people with different backgrounds and expertise, all sharing the same ambition : delivering new therapeutics to patients.
- The opportunity to work in a state-of-the-art lab that nurtures novel research initiatives.
- Gaining deep knowledge of gene therapy research and the associated development process.
- Superb career development opportunities with a long-term perspective.
- The chance to connect to a dynamic network of both academies and industrial partners in an international setting.