Postdoc – Advanced Viral Vector Technology & Bioprocess Development KU Leuven in Belgium

KU Leuven is advertising a fully funded postdoctoral position in Advanced Viral Vector Technology & Bioprocess Development within the Laboratory of Molecular Vectorology and Gene Therapy (LMVGT), part of ADVANTAGE labs in the Department of Pharmaceutical and Pharmacological Sciences, group Biomedical Sciences. The role is based in Leuven, Belgium, and is closely connected to the Leuven Viral Vector Core (LVVC), a BSL2 academic viral vector production facility and platform for retroviral, lentiviral, recombinant AAV, and virus-like particle technologies.

The project sits at the intersection of synthetic vectorology, viral vector engineering, upstream and downstream bioprocess development, and rare disease gene therapy. The successful candidate will contribute to the development and optimization of scalable processes for viral vector production, purification, concentration, analytical validation, and preclinical manufacturing. A key focus is on retroviral vectors, including MLV-based systems, SIV/FIV/HIV-derived lentiviral vectors, and VLPs, with strong emphasis on process characterization, critical quality attributes, and scalable manufacturing strategies.

This is a hands-on scientific leadership role with substantial coordination responsibilities. The postdoctoral researcher will lead vector design and production activities, help develop producer cell lines, optimize manufacturing workflows, perform and supervise experimental work, and contribute to process mapping, modelling, and techno-economic assessment. The position also includes scientific coordination across LMVGT, LVVC, partner laboratories, and an international consortium, along with responsibility for project reporting, milestone tracking, FAIR data management, and open science compliance.

Applicants should hold a PhD in biotechnology, biomedical sciences, bioscience engineering, or a related discipline. The position specifically seeks experience in viral vector technology and bioprocess development, especially for retroviral vectors and VLPs, plus practical expertise in translating laboratory-scale production to preclinical-scale manufacturing. Experience with CRISPR-Cas editing, including knockout generation and validation, is required, while base/prime editing, endogenous tagging, and HDR-based knock-in are a strong advantage. Strong organisational, communication, and problem-solving skills are essential for this collaborative, multidisciplinary environment.

The position is fully funded and full-time, linked to a three-year international grant cycle beginning in Q3 2026. Applications must be submitted via the KU Leuven portal. Candidates should provide a CV, motivation letter, and two references. The deadline is 2026-08-14 23:59 (Europe/Brussels).

Contact persons listed are Anna Barber Janer and Rik Gijsbers. The project offers the opportunity to work in a highly collaborative research setting at the interface of molecular medicine, synthetic biology, and advanced gene therapy manufacturing.