Lab technician (27301)

• Department: Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; DI08 - Internal Medicine, Reproduction and Population Medicine
• Function class: B
• Occupancy rate: 100% - statutory position
• Applications can be submitted until 02/07/2024 (DD/MM/YYYY)

Your assignment

For this position you will be joining a young and dynamic international team, which is doing research on in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and freezing of sperm and oocytes in domestic animals. Cattle and horses are used as models for the application of similar techniques in humans, and ICSI in the horse is also used for the production of foals for commercial purposes.

As a lab technician, you will be responsible for the general operation of the research laboratory, where several experiments are started on a weekly basis by PhD students, for the production of in vitro embryos for further studies. For this purpose, ovaries are collected from the slaughterhouse (mainly from cattle), and frozen semen from selected bulls is used for fertilization.

Cell and tissue culture is an important part of your job, and as such, you have to be able to work in a  sterile way, and the precise preparation of the culture media is instrumental for your work (pH, osmolarity, sterility...).

The equipment used must be checked at regular intervals (CO2 measurements, calibration, adjustment of pipettors and microscopes, temperature control ....).

At times when there are no urgent lab activities, there is time for administrative tasks (following up on media stocks and orders). You will attend the weekly lab meeting and are also welcome to participate in webinars, research meetings and national conferences on human and veterinary IVF, and any additional training if desired.

The working language in the laboratory is English, as most researchers are foreigners. Your work schedule can be performed in a  flexible way by mutual agreement, since some things in the lab need to be executed in a specific order and time.

Core tasks:

• You are responsible for the preparation of stocks and of culture media and freezing media.
• You arrange the contacts and payments with the slaughterhouses and you help with the supply of ovaries
• You arrange the orders and administration of the purchase and stocking of media and other products, payments from the slaughterhouse and purchase of small equipment or devices
• You assist in the collection of oocytes and the purification of sperm, and in the manipulation and freezing of oocytes, sperm and embryos
• You organize the practical execution of the experiments in the laboratory (sequence of tests and lab tasks by doctoral students)
• You check the proper operation of the lab equipment on a regular basis
• You take care of the administration of the experiments and of the sperm and embryo storage in the liquid nitrogen tanks
• You are responsible for updating the SOPs when necessary

For more information regarding the job content, please contact prof. Ann Van Soom on 09/264 75 50 or via ann.vansoom@ugent.be (Note: please do not forward your application via email but apply online)

Your profile

Knowledge and experience

• You have a degree that allows you to perform the function of laboratory technician
• Experience with cell culture techniques and freezing of cells is recommended
• Experience with intracytoplasmic sperm injection or micromanipulation is a plus
• You have a good knowledge of Dutch and English (spoken and written): given the international nature of the team, this is a necessity
• You have experience with basic computer techniques such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel
• Knowledge of SAP is an asset
• You are in possession of a valid driver's license B

Skills and attitudes

• You are able to quickly master new things
• You are handy and precise, you can work quickly but with an eye for detail
• You can solve (small) problems independently
• You are flexible and stress resistant, you know how to organize yourself according to priorities, you are willing to do occasional weekend work
• You have strong communication skills
• You are a team player and enjoy working in a dynamic, evolving environment where new techniques are constantly being introduced
• You are eager to learn and develop yourself further

What Do We Offer You?

You will be employed in a statutory position (permanent appointment after 6 months of internship and a positive evaluation) 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 hold a bachelor's degree (in medical laboratory technology, pharmaceutical and biological laboratory technology or equivalent, like a diploma in Biology, Biotechnology or similar)

(last year students must be able to submit their diploma at start-up)

Submit the following documents no later than 02/07/2024 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 selecties@ugent.be so that we can provide reasonable accommodations.

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