Research Manager Virology

☞ KU Leuven

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Update day: 03-12-2025

Location: Leuven Flemish Brabant

Category: Executive management

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Research Manager Virology

(ref. OZK-2025-12)
Laatst aangepast: 12/03/25

The Virus-Host Interactions & Therapeutic Approaches (VITA) Research Group is a Unit of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, within the Group of Biomedical Sciences of the KU Leuven. The Unit is also affiliated with the Rega Institute for Medical Research and consist out of three teams. The team of Prof. Els Henckaerts (Trellis), the team of Prof. Delang (the Mosquito Virology Team (MOVIT)) and the team of Prof. Joana Rocha-Pereira (Pathogenesis of RNA viruses & Therapeutic Options (PORTO) Lab). This unit is looking for a research manager to support the work performed in the PORTO Lab, to identify and support innovative science, coordinate new and current research projects and assist in connecting with industry. He/she will also be responsible for the daily operational management of the team in which he/she will support Prof. Joana Rocha-Pereira and her group of 7-10 staff members, consisting of PhD researchers, lab technicians and postdoctoral researchers. He/she will also have to support grant writing, managing infrastructure, be co-responsible for recruitment and organize/oversee financial workflows.

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Responsibilities
  • Identify, initiate, support and/or coordinate research projects. Assist in grant writing to ensure continuation of research activities.
  • Develop strategic plans to expedite research projects and translate these strategic plans into concrete research activities, including valorization.
  • Help to initiate, acquire and/or manage (inter)national collaborations of the PORTO lab (and VITA unit), including with industrial partners and/or CDMO’s.
  • Manage financial aspects of projects, including budgeting and financial reporting.
  • Contribute to the management of labs and infrastructure, by overseeing or introducing high-standard lab procedures and research methodologies. This includes the build- up of extensive data packages to support transition of the research projects to industry standards.
  • Identify, train and supervise competent staff (technicians, PhD researchers, postdoctoral researchers) to ensure highest quality research.
  • Play an important role in scientific discussions and assist in manuscript writing, revision of PhD theses and conferences proceedings.
  • Provide service to internal/external parties. Manage interactions with Leuven Research and Development (LRD), ethical committees of UZ and KUL.

Profile

  • PhD in biomedical sciences or equivalent research area, with a minimum of 4 years post-doc experience.
  • A broad knowledge and experience in the fields of virology, cell culture (standard cell culture, primary cell culture, organoid cell culture), handling small animals (mice, zebrafish larvae) and drug discovery.
  • First-hand experience with organoids and organ-on-chip is a strong plus.
  • Able to critically identify and evaluate new project opportunities, both with academic and industrial partners.
  • Demonstrable project and people management skills.
  • Demonstrable project writing skills, e.g. through (co-)promotorships and papers in high impact journals or active participation in grant applications.
  • Experience in lab management, including lab space, infrastructure and organization of laboratory activities.
  • Experience in research valorization, namely in collaborations with industry, as well as academic partners.
  • A team player actively contributing to productive working environment promoting synergies and excellence within the team.
  • Open-minded, fluent written and spoken English communication, embraces diversity and respects differing opinions.

Offer

A position as Research Manager (for further general information about the position of Research Manager please refer to the relevant webpage of KU Leuven HR) in a dynamic environment.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. Joana Duarte Da Rocha Pereira, tel.: +32 16 32 18 76, mail: joana.rochapereira@kuleuven.be or Mrs. Inge Aerts, tel.: +32 16 32 10 83, mail: inge.aerts@kuleuven.be.
You can apply for this job no later than March 26, 2025 via the online application tool

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.

    Heb je een vraag over de online sollicitatieprocedure? Raadpleeg onze veelgestelde vragen of stuur een e-mail naar solliciteren@kuleuven.be

    Solliciteer voor deze functie

    av_timer Tewerkstellingspercentage: Voltijds

    location_city Locatie : Leuven

    timer Solliciteren tot en met:
    26/03/2025 23:59 CET

    bookmarks Tags: Geneeskunde

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    Deadline: 17-01-2026

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