Lab Manager for the VIB.AI Technology & Wet Lab Unit

Lab Manager for the VIB.AI Technology & Wet Lab Unit

VIB

Leuven, Belgium

We are seeking an experienced Lab Manager to build, lead, and operate this new Technology & Wet Lab Unit within VIB.AI.

Your role

• Establish, organize, and maintain the new Technology & Wet Lab Unit, including equipment selection and procurement.
• Coordinate closely with computational teams to translate AI-driven hypotheses into experimental designs.
• Plan, execute, and oversee experiments across multiple modalities (e.g. proteomics, biochemistry, biophysics, metabolomics, imaging).
• Design efficient experimental workflows for generating and automating the acquisition of high-quality training datasets for machine learning models.
• Provide training to students on new technologies, protocols, and best practices.
• Support grant applications, collaborations, and project planning involving experimental components.

Your profile

• PhD or equivalent experience in molecular biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, systems biology, or a related life sciences field.
• You love being at the bench to establish and optimize new protocols.
• Extensive hands-on expertise with at least two major experimental platforms relevant to the unit (e.g., proteomics, biochemistry, biophysics, metabolomics, imaging).
• Experience with cell culture and viral work.
• Experience with animal work (FELASA B certificate) is a plus.
• Proven experience in setting up or managing a wet lab is a plus.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary environments, ideally integrating wet-lab experiments with computational research.
• Excellent communication and team leadership skills, with the ability to train other researchers.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects, priorities, and deadlines in a fast-evolving research landscape.
• A proactive, solution-oriented mindset with enthusiasm for adopting emerging technologies and automating experimental workflows.
• Good knowledge of English.