Recruitment
Are you looking to be part of an ambitious, driven and passionate team who will lead innovation in the field of organ-on-chip technology for virology?
We are looking for: 1 research technologist
Check our vacancies below and apply now!
The GUTVIBRATIONS Consortium
GUTVIBRATIONS is a multidisciplinary international consortium funded by the European Commission. The consortium consists of 7 esteemed European partners in the fields of academia (Amsterdam UMC, Technical University of Denmark, University of Leuven, KTH Royal Institute of Technology) and industry (UniQure Biopharma BV, BIOLAMINA AB and STEMCELL Technologies UK ltd.). With our team of experts in the fields of organ-on-chip technology, 3D printing, bioengineering, organoid technology, virology, immunology and cell culturing, GUTVIBRATIONS aims to take organ-on-chip technology to the next level in the biomedical industry.
*Check application deadlines per vacancy below.
GUTVIBRATIONS is divided into Work Packages:
Key objective: to provide STACKS platform and technical solutions for the different WPs along with scaling up the platform for medium (from 12 to 24-well) throughput.
This will be achieved by:
- Design and optimisation of medium-throughput STACKS plate
- Optimising Biosilk nanomembrane and network incorporation.
- Ensuring availability of STACKS plates for the consortium during GUTVIBRATIONS
Key objective: to build a human gut model that recapitulates the in vivo intestinal physiology including cellular immune responses.
This will be achieved by:
- Extension of organoid-derived epithelial monolayer model with a nanomembrane, the Biosilk network, and immune cells to form a gut epithelial- immune cell co-culture model.
- Characterisation of immune responses in this model.
- Combining the epithelial-immune cell model with the mesenchyme model from WP2 to create a gut mucosa model
Key objective: to construct a BBB-brain model that closely resembles the in vivo physiology of the structural and chemical barrier between the systemic blood circulation and the brain components.
This will be achieved by:
- The development of a human BBB model containing human brain endothelial cells, linked by pericytes, astrocytes, and microglia within a Biosilk network.
- Constructing a BBB-brain model by combining the BBB model and brain organoids within a STACKS platform.
- The development of media for the human BBB and combined BBB-brain models
Key objective: to show the application of the gut mucosa model and the BBB-brain model developed in WP3 and WP4 as infectious diseases models.
This will be accomplished by infection with three viruses (EV, HIV, and HuNoV) that make use of the gut-brain axis to show that productive infection is possible in the gut mucosa model and/or the BBB-brain organoid model.
Key objective: to present a showcase for antiviral testing against viruses that interact with the gut-brain axis.
This will be achieved by:
- Assessing toxicity of small molecules in the gut mucosa model and the BBB-brain model developed in WP3 and WP4.
- Inhibiting virus infections with known antivirals in the infection models established in WP5
Key objectives: the gut mucosa model developed in WP3 and the BBB-brain model developed in WP4 will be combined to create a complex human gut-brain axis OoC.
Viral infection along this axis will be assessed as a proof-of- principle application of the OoC. Furthermore, requirements for specialised media for combining the different organ systems together will be elucidated.
Key objective: to upgrade the STACKS platform to make it suitable for industrial applications.
This will be achieved by:
- Scaling up the STACKS plates to a 96-well format for high throughput screening
- Ensuring compatibility of the 96-well STACKS with pipetting robots.
- Adapting the 96-well plate format to a polystyrene base for high throughput manufacture
Our mission
GUTVIBRATIONS mission is to develop, a next-generation gut-brain axis organ-on-chip for virology. This multi-organ system will provide an animal-free solution for modelling human diseases and pre-clinical drug development.
Vacancies
Within GUTVIBRATIONS, STEMCELL Technologies Ltd. is looking for a Research Technologist. The candidate selected for this position will have the unique opportunity to be exposed to state-of-the-art technology working on various 3D organoids culture systems derived from both primary tissues and Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSCs), and study the interaction of the epithelial cells with several other tissue cells in co-culture systems. Under the supervision of Dr. Salvatore Simmini (Senior Scientist in the Research and Development department in the UK), the candidate will optimize media and create high quality products to support the success of the GUTVIBRATIONS project.
This position is for a 2 years fixed-term contract.
Job Description
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Perform experiments and data analysis, document the experimental observations and calculations, and summarize the findings.
- Troubleshoot standard experiments, review and report on the results.
- Present the data at R&D data meetings, provide conclusions and future plans as directed by the supervisor.
- Perform laboratory procedures as requested (e.g. inventory of supplies, waste disposal, and safety measures).
- Support the Quality Management System (QMS) initiatives and adhere to the QMS requirements, including the maintenance of a detailed and accurate laboratory notebook.
- Occasional weekend work (Saturday and/or Sunday) may be required.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- BSc degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering or related area.
- Relevant experience in performing laboratory experiments and statistical analyses of biological data is an asset.
- Experience in working with 3D organoids culture systems, Human Pluripotent Stem Cells (hPSCs) cultures is highly desirable.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and presentation).
- Detail-oriented and proficient at time management.
- Team orientated – ‘one-team’ behavior is a must.
STEMCELL Technologies
STEMCELL Technologies Inc. is a privately-owned biotechnology company based in Vancouver that helps power leading-edge life science research around the world. Scientists performing stem cell, immunology, cancer, regenerative medicine and cellular therapy research are among those who rely on our cell culture media, cell separation products, instruments, ancillary reagents and contract assay services. We create novel, useful, standardized products of unfailing quality and deliver them to more than 70 countries via our many regional offices plus distribution centres in Vancouver, Seattle, Grenoble and Singapore. Driven by our love of science and our passion for quality, we see ourselves simply as “Scientists Helping Scientists” – standing by our customers to provide outstanding products, technical support and training. We have over 1000 science-oriented employees globally, including 250 PhDs/MScs, with most others holding a BSc or engineering degree. STEMCELL is proud to be the largest Biotechnology employer in Canada.
This is an opportunity to work with highly motivated colleagues in a science-oriented, creative, and dynamic environment. We offer a competitive salary, excellent benefits, and meaningful career development opportunities.
STEMCELL is well recognized for exceptional leadership and business practices. We are one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies and operate an ISO 14001-certified environmental management system to measure and reduce our environmental impact.
As an equal opportunity employer, STEMCELL is dedicated to ensuring that every employee feels safe, valued, and respected for who they are. We know that scientific progress and innovation occur when diverse, creative minds come together and we are committed to nurturing a culture of inclusivity and belonging. STEMCELL enforces a zero-tolerance policy for any form of discrimination. Selection decisions are solely based on job-related factors.
The deadline for applications is on Friday, 31st of March 2023. To apply, click here. You will then be directed to the website of STEMCELL Technologies.
