Scientific Assay Developer and Core Facility Manager of the DrugVision.AI platform

As Scientific Assay Developer and Core Facility Manager, you lead the development of next-generation organoid-based phenotypic assays and co-manage the daily operation of the DrugVision.AI screening facility, together with the laboratory technician(s) and the head of the platform. This multidisciplinary role combines experimental biology, laboratory automation, high-content microscopy, artificial intelligence and scientific project management.

The position includes the following tasks:

• You organise activities in assay development and high-content phenotypic screening and are responsible for the preparation, follow-up and execution of the technical, logistical and administrative processes that are part of the internal operations of the DrugVision.AI core facility at the University of Antwerp
  • You design, optimise and validate phenotypic assays using patient-derived organoids and advanced 3D cell models. An extensive tumor organoid biobank is available.
  • You plan and execute automated screening campaigns and operate the robotic liquid-handling and culture platforms (PAA KX-2 robotic arm, Cytomat™ automated incubator, Opentrons OT-2, Tecan D300e, Dispendix I.DOT.S).
  • You acquire and process high-content imaging data on the Tecan Spark Cyto and the ZEISS Celldiscoverer 7 / LSM900.
  • You coordinate projects from experimental design through to data delivery, for academic, clinical and industrial partners.
  • You provide technical supervision and training to platform users, students, PhD students and third parties carrying out experiments on the platform.
• You are responsible for monitoring and steering the technical and logistical processes of the platform and for carrying out quality controls with the aim of further improving results according to applicable standards and the needs of internal and external customers:
  • You develop, document and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and keep meticulous records of protocols, optimisation steps and experimental observations in ELN systems.
  • You safeguard assay robustness and reproducibility and define acceptance criteria for screening runs.
  • You oversee compound management, logistics, sample tracking and quality assurance.
  • You maintain the laboratory equipment, follow up and coordinate vendor maintenance and service contracts.
  • You formulate suggestions with regard to experimental applications and methods, and improve the robustness, scalability and level of automation of the screening workflows.
• You are responsible for analysing, evaluating and supporting policy and/or policy implementation based on your specific expertise in organoid-based drug screening, laboratory automation and image analysis :
  • You develop automated image- and data-analysis workflows using Orbits Oncology, Arivis Pro and custom Python pipelines.
  • You develop, adapt and introduce new techniques, with current priorities including functional precision medicine assays, organoid co-cultures, siRNA- and CRISPR-based organoid screening and DRUG-seq in 384-well format.
  • You evaluate and implement emerging technologies, including large-scale organoid production using bioreactors and automated culture platforms.
  • You stay up to date in your field, and you initiate, organise and participate in meetings with academic, clinical and industrial collaborators.
  • You contribute to publications, methods and protocol papers, grant applications and scientific presentations.

• You have a professional or academic Bachelor in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, bio-engineering, biology, pharmaceutical sciences or an equivalent field, or equivalent competences gained through prior work experience.
• You have hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture. Experience with patient-derived organoids and/or advanced 3D cell models is a must.
• You have proven experience in assay development, phenotypic screening and/or high-content imaging , and you enjoy systematic assay optimisation and troubleshooting with a continuous improvement mindset.
• You have a clear interest in laboratory automation, robotic liquid handling, microscopy, image analysis and data science. Experience with automated platforms, image-analysis software (e.g. Orbits Oncology, Arivis Pro, Fiji, CellProfiler) or scripting in Python is a strong asset.
• You have specific knowledge of the assigned domain: biosafety and BSL-2 working procedures, the handling of human-derived biological material. Experience with omics (e.g. transcriptomics, DRUG-seq) or with functional genomics screens (siRNA, CRISPR) is an asset.
• You are proficient in Microsoft 365.
• You have a good understanding of current LLM and how to scientifically apply them (e.g. Claude Science, Claude Code,…).
• You have good oral and written knowledge of English. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset.
• You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
• You have strong skills in planning and organisation, and you are highly organised in documenting protocols, optimisation steps and experimental observations.
• You have strong communication and interpersonal skills, and you are able to work independently while collaborating effectively in a multidisciplinary team of biologists, engineers, data scientists and clinicians.
• You are expected to be present on site.

What you will be working with

• An extensive patient-derived tumour organoid biobank , covering multiple tumour types with associated clinical and molecular data, and advanced 3D culture technologies.
• State-of-the-art laboratory automation : PAA KX-2 robotic arm, Cytomat™ automated incubator, Opentrons OT-2, Tecan D300e and Dispendix I.DOT.S dispensers.
• High-content and live-cell imaging : Tecan Spark Cyto and ZEISS Celldiscoverer 7 / LSM900.
• AI-powered image analysis : Orbits Oncology, Arivis Pro and custom Python pipelines.
• A multidisciplinary environment bridging academia, the university hospital and biotech and pharma partners, with national and international collaborations.
• Room to build your own methods , with opportunities for publications, protocol papers, conferences and professional development.

More about our platform:

• We offer a temporary contract for a period of 1 year (with the possibility of renewal after positive evaluation).
• You will receive a gross monthly salary within pay band 5.1-7.1 of the pay scales of the Administrative and Technical Staff. Your entry-level grade depends on your relevant professional experience.
• You will receive meal vouchers, ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance, group insurance, an income protection insurance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• You will have 40 days of annual leave and collective leave for 1 week when the university is closed, between Christmas and New Year.
• You will do most of your work at Campus Drie Eiken in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this job through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including Wednesday September 30 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the 'Apply' button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a letter of motivation (max. 2 pages) . Because this is a technical and multidisciplinary position, we ask you to structure your letter according to the six points below, so that the selection committee can assess all candidates on the same basis. Keep it concise and concrete, and support your claims with references where possible (publications, preprints, protocol papers, application notes, posters, code repositories, or a short reference project).
    • Motivation and fit. Why this position, what you would like to build within DrugVision.AI, and what attracts you to a core-facility role that combines assay development with service to other researchers.
    • 3D cell culture and patient-derived organoids. Which models and culture formats you have hands-on experience with and state the scale you routinely handle.
    • Assay development and phenotypic screening. Which 3D imaging-based assays and readouts you have developed or run, in which plate formats, and how you assessed and improved assay quality (e.g. Z'-factor, variability, controls). Mention the largest campaign you have run and your role in it.
    • Imaging, automation and data analysis. Which imaging systems and automated platforms you have operated or programmed yourself, and how you analyse the resulting data (software, deep-learning tools, scripting in Python or R). Give one example of a workflow you automated or a pipeline you built.
    • Coordinating multiple projects in parallel. How you plan, prioritise and document several concurrent projects, with a concrete example: how many projects or collaborators, how you scheduled shared instruments and staff, and how you handled competing deadlines.
    • Track record and practical information. Your two or three most relevant outputs and why, plus your availability or notice period.
  • a full curriculum vitae, including a publication list and an overview of the instruments, software and models you have worked with
  • the names and contact details of two referees who can be contacted after your consent
• The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the Frequently Asked Questions or send an email to Voir email sur tnl2.jometer.com. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact Voir email sur tnl2.jometer.com.

The University of Antwerp is a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.