Post-doctoral Scientist Vaccine Immunogenicity (Ebola Outbreak Response)

The Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) in Antwerp is a leading independent academic centre for research and innovation, education, and clinical services in public health, global health and tropical medicine. Founded in 1906, ITM’s research today focuses on Disease Prevention, Control and Elimination, Emerging Infections and Outbreaks, and Sustainable and Equitable Health Systems, with antimicrobial resistance embedded across all research themes.

The Department of Clinical Sciences within ITM strives to improve diagnostics and treatment of tropical and globalized infectious diseases with the aim of promoting the health of the individual patient. The Department of Clinical Sciences has renowned expertise in conducting clinical trials in low to high income settings and in dealing with (re-)emerging epidemics. In addition to our STI/HIV & travel clinic and dedicated Clinical Trial Site, the department hosts the ‘Clinical Reference Laboratory’ and several research laboratories.

ITM plays an important role in the evaluation of novel treatments and vaccines in the BDBV outbreak in DRC. We are urgently looking for a ‘post-doctoral scientist’ within the Clinical Immunology Unit. You will play a key role in supporting the evaluation of novel vaccines (and therapeutics) during the ongoing Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV) outbreak response in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). You will lead the development, qualification and implementation of immunogenicity testing activities supporting Phase II/III vaccine studies in collaboration with international partners.

Your responsibilities:

• Coordinate laboratory activities supporting the Phase II/III vaccine clinical trial conducted in the BDBV outbreak.

• Establish and optimize sample collection, processing, storage, and shipment procedures in the DRC, ensuring compliance with applicable biosafety and quality standards.

• Co-design and implement immunogenicity testing strategies aligned with study objectives and regulatory expectations, including but not limited to ELISA, Luminex, virus neutralization assays, ELISpot, IGRA and flow cytometry-based platforms.

• Contribute to assay harmonization initiatives and collaborate closely with international partners, including CEPI Centralised Laboratory Network (CLN), vaccine developers, research consortia and public health stakeholders.

• Assist in technology transfer and capacity-strengthening activities within partner laboratories in DRC and internationally.

• Ensure laboratory activities remain audit-ready and compliant with quality assurance systems and Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) requirements.

• Identify opportunities for operational/scientific improvement and contribute to innovation in laboratory and clinical immunology workflows.

• Contribute to competitive grant applications and fundraising initiatives to support the unit's strategic growth.

• Support the development of the Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) portfolio within the Clinical Immunology Unit.

• Represent the unit in scientific, technical and policy-oriented working groups, advisory committees and international meetings.

• Present scientific findings at conferences and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.

• Mentor students, laboratory staff and junior scientists, and contribute to training and capacity-building initiatives.

• Report directly to the Head of the Clinical Immunology Unit, Prof. Wim Adriaensen.

Your profile:

• PhD in (Bio)medical Sciences, Immunology, Microbiology, Virology, Vaccinology, Infectious Diseases or a related life sciences discipline.

• Demonstrated expertise in vaccine immunology and immunogenicity assessments (e.g., ELISA, Luminex, VNT, ELISpot, IGRA, flow cytometry).

• Sound understanding of biosafety requirements and quality management systems.

• Minimum four years of post-graduate laboratory experience with a proven technical and scientific track record.

• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving capacity and attention to detail.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with scientific, operational and policy audiences.

• Strong commitment to laboratory excellence, continuous improvement and scientific rigor.

• Fluency in English is essential. Professional proficiency in French is required to support activities and deployments in the DRC.

• Willingness and ability to regularly travel internationally, including to tropical and outbreak-affected regions

You support the mission and values of the ITM.

Additional assets

• Experience in assay qualification principles, Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP), ISO-accredited environments and/or clinical trial laboratories.

• Proven ability to independently manage complex projects involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.

• Experience working on epidemic-prone pathogens, emerging infectious diseases or outbreak-response studies.

• Experience in technology transfer, assay harmonization or laboratory capacity strengthening in low- and middle-income countries.

• Successful track record in competitive grant writing and acquisition of research funding.

• Experience supervising laboratory personnel or multidisciplinary project teams.

• Scientific publication record in peer-reviewed journals related to immunology, vaccinology or infectious diseases.

• Knowledge of Dutch

The Institute of Tropical Medicine is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment. Through your role, you will contribute to ITM’s socially relevant mission.

We highly value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity, and a critical mindset, with a strong focus on solidarity and collaboration. The wellbeing of our staff, students, patients, and clients is central to everything we do.

The ITM offers you:

• A full-time contract of 3 year. Starting date: as soon as possible, before mid-October.

• A collegial and supportive working environment with attention to work-life balance, individual growth, and professional development.

• A workplace in the middle of the vibrant city of Antwerp, easily accessible by public transport.

• A salary package based on your relevant professional experience. ITM applies Hay salary scales. This position is classified in Hay scale 18, with a minimum gross salary of 6.416,44 euro.

• Additional benefits include bicycle compensation, bicycle leasing and/or public transport subscription, meal vouchers, and a supplementary pension scheme.

• Relevant trainings at ITM or at external institutes

• Possibility of sporadic/structural teleworking in Belgium.