Careers

Published: 04/03/2021

Job description:

Confo Therapeutics, a spin-out of VIB and VUB, is a drug discovery company built around a disruptive technology which enables it to address ‘undruggable’ GPCRs. The company is building a portfolio of transformative medicines in various disease areas. Confo Therapeutics is currently located on the Technology Park in Zwijnaarde/Ghent and on the Etterbeek campus of the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels. More information about Confo’s technology and strategy can be found on www.confotherapeutics.com.

For the expansion of our structural biology team in Brussels/Ghent we are currently looking for a (m/f):

(Senior) Research Associate ConfoBody Discovery.

Role Overview:

Confo Therapeutics is seeking a motivated structural biologistic with strong expertise on single particle cryo-EM (sample prep, data-collection, processing and refinement)

Detailed job description:

• Process single particle cryo-EM data including handling raw data, interpretation, 3D reconstruction and map refinement, and model building in various pipe-line projects.
• Maintenance and development of the infrastructure for cryo-EM, with emphasis on supporting both internal drug-development pipeline programs and technology development.
• Support high-performance structural biology computing infrastructure including management of large data storage and processing clusters.
• Provide scientific expertise to cross-functional project teams on progress and explore the feasibility of experiment proposals.
• Train scientists in cryo-EM data processing using various state-of-the-art software for 3D reconstructions, atomic model building and in fundamentals of cryo-EM sample handling and preparation.
• In a project leader role, you will be expected to maintain focus and provide direction to the team members with clear project plans and defined timelines, maintain productive relationships with project team members and communicate progress against goals in a multidisciplinary setting:  chemistry, biology, pharmacology, and modeling

Qualifications for the successful candidate include:

• Ph.D. or equivalent in structural biology, biophysics, or a related field with postdoctoral/industrial experience in structural biology and 2+ years of documented experience in cryo-EM of proteins.
• Experience with cryo-EM sample preparation protocols including negative staining and sample vitrification.
• Experience with Linux OS (Installation, configuration and maintenance).
• Strong expertise in single particle cryo-EM image processing and 3D reconstruction (expertise user programs such as RELION, CryoSPARC, CryOLO, WARP). Expert on data-processing and structure solution of small size protein and transient membrane protein complexes (<150 kDa) is desired.
• Experience with software for model building and refinement such as Phenix, CCP4-em, Chimera, Rosetta, Coot etc.
• Experience with operation of screening and high-resolution data-collection microscopes.
• A true team player with a track record of successful collaborations.
• Skills in managing multiple projects and capability to prioritize.

Our offer:

• A competitive compensation package with extensive benefits.
• The chance to continuously grow as a professional.
• A job where you can make the difference.
• An entrepreneurial and stimulating international working environment in a growing and ambitious biotech company.

Do you have the right qualifications and are you up to the challenge of joining our entrepreneurial team?
Submit your application here.

Published: 16/02/2021

Job description:

Confo Therapeutics, a spin-out of VIB and VUB, is a drug discovery company built around a disruptive technology which enables it to address ‘undruggable’ GPCRs. The company is building a portfolio of transformative medicines in various disease areas. Confo Therapeutics is currently located on the Technology Park in Zwijnaarde/Ghent and on the Etterbeek campus of the Vrije Universiteit in Brussels. More information about Confo’s technology and strategy can be found on www.confotherapeutics.com.

For the expansion of the Technology Development team in Brussels we are recruiting a (m/f):
(Senior) Research Associate ConfoBody Discovery.

Your responsibilities:

• You will assist in the novel ConfoBody discovery techniques across target programs.
• You will clone VHH antibody repertoires, execute antibody selections and characterize antibodies using a broad span of biochemical and cell-based assays to assess their conformation sensitivity.
• You will clone and express membrane proteins in mammalian cells using a variety of transformation methods.
• You will develop innovative cell-based reporter assays and establish single cell sorting.
• You communicate experimental progress to the project team(s).

Your profile:

• Degree of Bachelor or Master in Industrial Sciences (Industrial Engineer), Biochemistry, Biotechnology or equivalent. Bench oriented and preferentially trained in an industry environment (biotech or pharma).
• Minimally 1 year hands-on expertise in the implementation of cell-based assays.
• Direct experience with mammalian cell culturing (transient transfections, stable cell line generation or lentiviral transduction) and cell-based technologies such as complementation or reporter gene assays is highly desirable.
• Independently operating a flow cytometer and experienced in single cell sorting is preferred.
• Skilled in antibody display to membrane protein targets, cell-based antibody screening and good knowledge of GPCR biochemistry and pharmacology are assets.
• Trained in molecular biology with hands-on knowledge of state-of-the-art cloning techniques and RT-qPCR.
• Self-motivating, team-oriented, problem-solving skilled individual.
• Excellent communication skills in English and can communicate research results to the team.

Our offer:

• A competitive compensation package with extensive benefits.
• An entrepreneurial and stimulating international working environment in a growing and ambitious biotech company.

Do you have the right qualifications and are you up to the challenge of joining our entrepreneurial team?
Submit your application here.

published: 16/02/2021

Job description:

Confo Therapeutics, a spin-off of VIB and VUB, is a drug discovery company built around a disruptive technology which enables it to address ‘undruggable’ GPCRs. The company is building a portfolio of transformative medicines in various disease areas. Confo Therapeutics is currently located on the Technology Park in Zwijnaarde/Ghent and on the VUB campus in Brussels. More information about Confo’s technology and strategy can be found on www.confotherapeutics.com.

For the expansion of our drug discovery team in Ghent we are currently looking for a (m/f):
Research Associate Screening

Your responsibilities:

• You will execute critical assays in early drug discovery programs
• Run daily screening and compound profiling projects utilizing different approaches such as radioligand displacement assays, HTRF, bioluminescence, GPCR signaling assays, maintaining  cell cultures …
• Perform data analysis and create reports using established software tools and systems
• Evaluate, analyze and interpret research data
• Present data to the project team and write report of the work performed
• Handle multiple projects with overlapping deadlines
• Ensure support  to colleagues for collaborative projects, and reliability, accuracy, robustness and high quality for data and reports
• Contribute to maintain laboratory equipment and inventory

Your profile:

• Applicant must have an advanced degree (MSc) in a relevant field
• Understanding in assay design, execution and screening
• Highly collaborative, self-motivated, team-oriented individual
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, highly integrated team environment where accuracy, accountability and timeliness are essential
• Ability to keep accurate and complete records of all scientific experiments according to established procedures.
• Enthusiastic team player in a small company setting
• You are fluent in English and can communicate research results to the team and cross-functional stakeholders across the company

Our offer:

• A competitive compensation package with extensive benefits
• An entrepreneurial and stimulating working environment in a growing and ambitious biotech company
• Excellent career development opportunity, with exposure to all aspects of R&D in the company

Do you have the right qualifications and are you up to the challenge of joining our entrepreneurial team?
Submit your application here.