Post Doctoral Researcher Cell Bio & Gene Therapy

Make your mark for patients.

We’re here because we want to build the future and transform patients’ lives for the better.

At UCB, our people are our experiences and achievements, our passion and drive. That’s why we’re looking for talented individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences - not just the best and brightest, but those who care about making a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. We promote an environment of diversity, openness, and respect where people can make valuable contributions.

An exciting journey lies ahead. Will you join us in pushing the boundaries of what’s possible?

UCB aspires to be the patient-centric global biopharmaceutical leader transforming the lives of people living with severe diseases. We focus on central nervous system and immunology disorders. Our promise is to help tackle the serious unmet medical needs affecting patients around the world. We now have an exciting opportunity in Early Solutions (our research organization) at our site in Braine L’Alleud Belgium, for a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in cell biology and gene therapy to strengthen our in vitro pharmacology department. As part of our continuous evolution we are building a cross-disciplinary team working on novel gene therapeutics for neurological diseases. This is an exciting role for talented PhD to work within the Neuroscience therapeutic area and engage in breakthrough research in a vibrant drug discovery environment – inspired by patients, driven by science.

Postdoctoral position in cell biology and gene therapy

We are currently hiring a talented cell and molecular biologist to join the Cell biology group in the neuroscience in vitro pharmacology department. The remits of the department are to scientifically and technically support our pre-clinical CNS small molecule, antibody, and gene therapy projects. To further strengthen our capabilities, we are seeking a bright and very skilled, lab-based postdoctoral researcher with experience in cell biology and gene therapy. The candidate will be part of an interdisciplinary team implementing novel technologies to bring our ongoing neuroscience gene therapy projects to novel insights by investigating the impact of (AAV) viral vector transduction in human translational in vitro models (on target and off-target effects) as well as in vivo neurodegeneration and/or epilepsy animal models. In order to achieve these goals, the group has access to state-of-the-art equipment and technologies either internally or through international collaborations.

He/she will have experience in cell culture and cell-based (transduction) assays as well as will have good molecular biology skills. Experience in one or more of following techniques is required: iPSC culture and differentiation to neural cells, CNS organoids development (3D cultures), novel imaging methods such as in situ hybridization (RNAscope) and cell painting, molecular biology techniques including plasmid design, qPCR, ddPCR and transcriptomics. Experience with single cell workflows for in vitro and in vivo brain samples is a plus.

The candidate must be highly motivated and possess the ability to work productively in a fast-paced environment that requires a high level of communication, organization, and collaboration as well as demonstrate enthusiasm and willingness to learn novel techniques and methodologies

Interested? For this position you’ll need the following education, experience and skills:

• The ideal candidate will have acquired his/her PhD degree in the field of cell or gene therapy. She/He will be skilled in iPSCs cell culture, ex vivo molecular biology assays and cell imaging assays to characterize viral vectors and measure their biological effects at a single cell level in vitro and in vivo. The ideal candidate is passionate about developing novel technologies to apply and increase our knowledge on novel gene therapies for neurological disorders.
• Publication and presentation record

We are looking for candidates who can show one or more of following skills:

• Proven expertise in differentiation protocols to generate neural cell types from iPSC in 2D and 3D cultures (brain organoids)
• Proven experience with viral vector transductions of cell lines, primary neural cells or iPSC derived neural cells using AAV and Lentiviral vectors for potency assays and functional assays
• Proven expertise to develop 2D and 3D cell assays such as flow cytometry, ELISA, MSD, cellular target engagement, CETSA
• Proven experience in cell imaging including immunostaining, confocal and fluorescent imaging and novel methods such as in situ hybridization (RNAscope) and cell painting
• Proven experience in molecular biology techniques such as plasmid, miRshRNA, CRISPR guide RNA design
• Proven experience in qPCR and single cell ddPCR and transcriptomics (in vitro and in vivo samples)

Importantly, the candidate will demonstrate:

• Ability to accurately analyze and interpret experimental data, perform statistical analysis, formulate conclusions, and communicate data with colleagues
• Ability to multitask
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Fluency in English (both written and oral) as this is the working language.

Why you should apply

At UCB, we strive to attract passionate and outstanding talents who thrive on change and are ready to bring real value to patients. Working for us you’ll discover a place where you can grow and express your full potential. We place an emphasis on innovation, collaboration, and impact. Through meaningful recognition and a motivating work atmosphere, we aim to provide an optimal experience by caring about and valuing our employees – just as we do for the patients we serve.

If you believe you are the perfect match to join us on our pioneering adventure, then we invite you to apply and tell us more about your profile and motivation.

About us.

UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are around 7,600 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science.

At UCB, everything we do start with a simple question: “How will this create value for people living with severe disease?”. We are on a journey to become the patient-preferred biopharma leader by delivering medicines and solutions that improve lives. We want to ensure the creation of patient value, now and into the future, while contributing to a society where a population of 8 billion people and more should be able to live a good life within limited resources of one planet.

UCB and its subsidiaries encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace; we are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race/color/religion/sex/national origin/veteran/disability/age/sexual orientation/gender identity.