Scientific Assay Developer and Core Facility Manager DrugVision.AI platform

Position: Scientific Assay Developer and Core Facility Manager of the DrugVision.AI platform
Location: Edegem

Job description
As Scientific Assay Developer and Core Facility Manager, you lead the development of next-generation organoid-based phenotypic assays and co-manage the daily operation of the Drug Vision.

AI screening facility, together with the laboratory technician(s) and the head of the platform. This multidisciplinary role combines experimental biology, laboratory automation, high-content microscopy, artificial intelligence and scientific project management.
The position includes the following tasks:
You organise activities in   assay development and high-content phenotypic screening   and are responsible for the preparation, follow-up and execution of the technical, logistical and administrative processes that are part of the internal operations of the Drug Vision.

AI core facility at the University of Antwerp    You design, optimise and validate phenotypic assays using patient-derived organoids and advanced 3D cell models. An extensive tumor organoid biobank is available.
You plan and execute automated screening campaigns and operate the robotic liquid-handling and culture platforms (PAA KX-2 robotic arm, Cytomat™ automated incubator, Opentrons OT-2, Tecan D300e, Dispendix I.DOT.S).
You acquire and process high-content imaging data on the Tecan Spark Cyto and the ZEISS Celldiscoverer 7 / LSM
900.
You coordinate projects from experimental design through to data delivery, for academic, clinical and industrial partners.
You provide technical supervision and training to platform users, students, PhD students and third parties carrying out experiments on the platform.

You are responsible for   monitoring and steering the technical and logistical processes of the platform and for carrying out quality controls   with the aim of further improving results according to applicable standards and the needs of internal and external customers:
You develop, document and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and keep meticulous records of protocols, optimisation steps and experimental observations in ELN systems.
You safeguard assay robustness and reproducibility and define acceptance criteria for screening runs.
You oversee compound management, logistics, sample tracking and quality assurance.
You maintain the laboratory equipment, follow up and coordinate vendor maintenance and service contracts.
You formulate suggestions with regard to experimental applications and methods, and improve the robustness, scalability and level of automation of the screening workflows.

You are responsible for analysing, evaluating and supporting policy and/or policy implementation based on your specific expertise in   organoid-based drug screening, laboratory automation and image analysis   :
You develop automated image- and data-analysis workflows using Orbits Oncology, Arivis Pro and custom Python pipelines.
You develop, adapt and introduce new techniques, with current priorities including functional precision medicine assays, organoid co-cultures, siRNA- and CRISPR-based organoid screening and DRUG-seq in 384-well format.
You evaluate and implement emerging technologies, including large-scale organoid production using bioreactors and automated culture platforms.
You stay up to date in your field, and you initiate, organise and participate in meetings with academic, clinical and industrial collaborators.
You contribute to publications, methods and protocol papers, grant applications and scientific presentations.

Profile
You have a professional or academic Bachelor in biomedical sciences, biotechnology, bio-engineering, biology, pharmaceutical sciences or an equivalent field, or equivalent competences gained through prior work experience.
You have hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture.

Experience with patient-derived organoids and/or advanced 3D cell models is a must.
You have   proven experience in assay development, phenotypic screening and/or high-content imaging   , and you enjoy systematic assay optimisation and troubleshooting with a continuous improvement mindset.
You have a clear interest in laboratory automation, robotic liquid handling, microscopy, image analysis and data science.

Experience with automated platforms, image-analysis software (e.g. Orbits Oncology, Arivis Pro, Fiji, Cell Profiler) or scripting in Python is a strong asset.
You have specific knowledge of the assigned domain: biosafety and BSL-2 working procedures, the handling of human-derived biological material.

Experience with omics (e.g. transcriptomics, DRUG-seq) or with functional genomics screens (siRNA, CRISPR) is an asset.
You are proficient in Microsoft 365.
You have a good understanding of current LLM and how to scientifically apply them (e.g. Claude Science, Claude Code,…).
You have good oral and written knowledge of English. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset.
You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
You have strong skills in planning and organisation, and you are highly organised in documenting protocols, optimisation steps and…