Laboratory Technician

More than 480 staff members at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) contribute every day to improving the health of millions of people worldwide. Our researchers conduct more than 200 scientific projects in the fields of tropical medicine and international health. Our teaching staff welcomes more than 500 professionals from around the world each academic year to attend our highly regarded medical courses. Tens of thousands of travel and STI consultations take place in our clinic each year, and our internationally recognized reference laboratories examine many hundreds of thousands of samples.

There is only one way we can accomplish these very diverse tasks: thanks to a great passion for our mission. Does the ITM appeal to you as a workplace? If so, we would be delighted to welcome you as a **Laboratory Technician at the Unit of Experimental Immunology of the Department of Biomedical Sciences.**

The Unit of Experimental Immunology aims at understanding the molecular interactions between the vector mosquito innate immune system and the malaria parasite. Our lab’s research program focuses on the identification and characterization of genes and physiological systems linked to _Anopheles - Plasmodium_ interactions, and the discovery of novel factors that are implicated in the activation and mediation of anti-_Plasmodium_ immune responses in the vector mosquito. The experimental approach of our recently established laboratory combines malaria parasite culture, mosquito rearing and dissection, infection assays, molecular biology experiments and diverse genetic analyses. **The Unit is recruiting a Laboratory Technician to support our research projects and organize day-to-day laboratory management.**

**Assignment**:

- You will be responsible for the day-to-day laboratory management, including procurement, ordering, ethics and biosafety implementation in the lab.
- You will liaise with laboratory equipment technical services.
- You will document experimental procedures (write SOPs, protocols and keep track of results).
- You will perform laboratory experiments such as _Anopheles_ mosquito rearing and manipulation, _Plasmodium _parasite culturing and gametocyte production, mosquito infection assays, PCR-/qRT-PCR-/RNAseq-based techniques, and data analysis.
- You will work in close collaboration with the PI, postdoctoral researchers and students in the lab, as well as with the departmental laboratory manager, administrators and biosafety officers.

**Profile**:

- You hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, or equivalent.
- You have excellent organization and communication skills and preferably have previous work experience as lab technician or lab manager.
- You are enthusiastic about scientific research and willing to learn new skills. You are a good team player.
- You are fluent in English and Dutch.

**Offer**:
The Institute of Tropical Medicine is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive institute. We strive for excellence and relevance, integrity, sustainability and persistence and fairness. Your assignment contributes to the socially relevant mission of the ITM. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients. We offer you:

- A fulltime contract of indefinite duration as a laboratory technician. **Starting date: as soon as possible.**:

- A collegial working environment with attention to work-life balance and individual growth and development.
- A workplace in the centre of the vibrant city of Antwerp, easily accessible by public transport.
- A salary set according to the pay scales of ITM and to your work experience with some supplementary benefits, such as private pension scheme and meal voucher subscription.