R&D Scientist In Microbial Ecology

Il y a 5 heures

Ghent, Flanders, Belgique LinkedIn Temps plein

Join S-Biomedic, where innovation starts with scientific excellence.


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Are you a scientist who enjoys translating complex biological data into meaningful scientific insights that can shape the future of microbiome-based innovations?

At S-Biomedic, we are looking for an R&D Scientist in Microbial Ecology who combines deep biological expertise with strong analytical and computational skills. If you are driven by scientific curiosity, thrive in a multidisciplinary environment, and enjoy turning complex datasets into actionable insights, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a direct impact on innovative research.

Your responsibilities?

The R&D Scientist in Microbial Ecology contributes to S-Biomedic's scientific innovation in skin microbiome research by designing, executing, analysing experiments across laboratory and clinical studies. This is a balanced hybrid scientific role: the primary expectation is strong biological and mechanistic understanding of microbial ecology, host–microbe interactions, and microbiome-driven skin biology, supported by highly proficient bioinformatics, data analysis, and coding capabilities to independently interrogate complex biological datasets and translate them into actionable R&D insights.

  • Lead studies from experimental design through biological interpretation, ensuring that experimental questions, model systems, controls, endpoints, and analyses are scientifically robust and mechanistically meaningful.
  • Independently analyse and interpret microbiome, molecular, and multi-omics datasets using appropriate bioinformatics, statistical, visualisation, and coding approaches, while keeping biological meaning and experimental context central to the interpretation.
  • Collaborate with internal bioinformatics colleagues to develop, review, or improve analysis workflows, while retaining sufficient hands-on proficiency to perform exploratory analyses, quality checks, visualisations, and interpretation independently when needed.
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with R&D, clinical, regulatory, external CROs, and Beiersdorf stakeholders to align experimental outputs with project goals and development priorities.
  • Support design, execution, and optimization of wet-lab experiments focused on the skin microbiome, with emphasis on microbial ecology, host–microbe interactions, and microbiome community dynamics.
  • Develop, refine, and apply bacterial or community-level models, including co-culture systems, host–microbe assays, biofilm-relevant models, microbial consortia experiments, or other fit-for-purpose in vitro systems.
  • Maintain high laboratory standards, including safety, data integrity, traceability, SOP adherence, method optimisation, and continuous improvement of experimental and analytical workflows.
  • Communicate results clearly through reports, presentations, internal meetings, and contributions to scientific publications, patent filings, or technical documentation for both technical and non-technical stakeholders.

IT Technical Competencies

  • Highly proficient in R, Python, or equivalent tools for biological data handling, statistical analysis, reproducible workflows, and visualisation.
  • Experience handling instrument data outputs, assay result files, sequencing-related data files, structured biological datasets, and version-controlled or well-documented analysis outputs.
  • Microsoft 365 package, collaborative documentation tools, and electronic lab notebook, LIMS, or equivalent digital lab documentation systems.

Behavioural Competencies

  • Scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and the ability to challenge assumptions while connecting evidence across experiments and datasets.
  • Strong ownership, accountability, and follow-through in a project-driven R&D environment.
  • High attention to detail and strong standards for data integrity, traceability, and reproducibility.
  • Proactive, resilient problem solver who can troubleshoot experiments and adapt approaches when needed.
  • Clear and effective communicator, able to explain complex scientific findings to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Role model for laboratory safety, good documentation practices, and continuous improvement.
  • Collaborative team player who works constructively across disciplines and with external partners.

Experience

Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in microbiology, microbial ecology, skin biology, microbiome research, host–microbe interaction studies, or an analogous field, preferably in an industrial R&D, biotech, personal care, pharmaceutical, or translational research environment. The ideal candidate combines strong hands-on biological and scientific expertise with demonstrated