Lab technician (Merelbeke, 9820) presso Universiteit Gent

Your job

The Laval lab is seeking for a talented scientist Lab technician to join our team at the faculty of veterinary medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.

The Laval lab focuses on the pathogenesis of human and animal viruses infecting the nervous system, with particular attention to the associated immune responses. We aim to clearly address a possible viral aetiology and identify potential common neuroinflammatory mechanisms by which viruses initiate neurodegenerative diseases. Our lab is particularly interested in the role of herpesviruses (e.g., HSV1), coronaviruses (e.g., Porcine Hemagglutinating Encephalomyelitis virus (PHEV)) and paramyxoviruses (e.g., Canine distemper virus (CDV)) in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Multiple Sclerosis.

Key responsabilities

• You manage daily laboratory activities and support PhD students with pratical work. Some of these tasks include: (i) in vitro work: weekly maintenance of cell cultures and viral growth; immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry stainings, microscopy analysis, ELISA, PCR; (ii) in vivo work: animal monitoring and maintenance of animal facility, help and assist PhD students with animal experiments (e.g., tissue sampling and processing).
• You will work with BSL-2 pathogens and therefore strictly comply with biosafety rules.
• You help master students with practical work and help onboard new lab members.
• You are responsible for logistical and administrative tasks in the lab (e.g., maintenance and scheduled use of equipment, ordering supplies, software and documentation, …).

For more information about the job content, you can contact prof. Kathlyn Laval via  [email protected]  (Please note: do not send your application via email - apply online instead).

Your profile

Knowledge and experience

• You have a degree that allows you to perform the function of laborant.
• You have experience with cell culture and virology related techniques (e.g., viral growth, viral titration).
• You have experience with microscopy techniques (e.g., immunofluorescence) and molecular techniques (ELISA, PCR, WB).
• You have a good knowledge of English (spoken and written): given the international nature of the team, this is a necessity. Knowledge of Dutch and French are a plus.
• You have good documentation and PC skills: in depth knowledge of MS Office, relevant software tools for data analysis, equipment operations, etc.
• Experience working with mice is a plus
• Preferably, you have experience working with neurons and the CDV virus
• Possession of a FELASA certificate is an advantage.

Skills and attitudes

• You have strong communication skills.
• You are a team player and enjoy working in a dynamic environnment.
• You work precisely, structured and with an eye for detail.
• You are an enthusiastic, proactive, disciplined, precised and self-motivated individual.
• You are able to work independently in the lab.
• You have scientific integrity and are eager to learn/assimilate novel concepts.
• You know how to organize yourself according to priorities, you are willing to do occasional weekend/evening animal duties.
• You are interested to take part in the virology and neuroscience research carried in the lab.
• You deeply care for the wellbeing of animals housed in the lab.

What Do We Offer You?

You will be employed with a replacement agreement/temporary contract until xxx in function class B. Read more about our remuneration on our website.

Ghent University strongly focuses on the career development of its employees. You will have opportunities to discover other roles and gain new experiences within Ghent University (both temporary and permanent).

In addition, you will receive:

• 36 vacation days (for full-time employment of 38 hours/week)
• the possibility of working from home and flexible working hours if your job allows it
• favorable pension conditions
• hospitalization insurance
• reimbursement of your public transport subscription and/or a bicycle allowance for commuting
• eco vouchers
• an extensive training and development offer and ample internal career opportunities
• a good work-life balance
• our benefits platform 'benefits at work' and a number of other benefits such as an extensive sports offer at favorable prices, discount rate in the student restaurants, free flu vaccination, etc.

Interested?

To apply for this vacancy, you must have a bachelor's diploma.

Submit the following documents no later than 27/10/2025 at 11:59 PM:

• Your CV
• Your cover letter
• A copy of your diploma
• If you obtained your diploma outside the European Union (except for diplomas obtained in the United Kingdom before January 31, 2020): an equivalence certificate from NARIC (www.naric.be)

Note: your application is only valid if you have the required diploma at the time of application, and you provide us with all the above-mentioned documents before the application deadline.

We believe it is important that everyone can participate in the selection process under the best conditions. Do you have a disability? Please let us know in advance via [email protected] so that we can provide reasonable accommodations.

More questions about applying online or the selection process? Check our FAQ.