Principal Technician, Leiden/NL

Pleased to meet you, we are Galapagos, a dynamic growing Biotech company with offices across Europe and in US, headquartered in Mechelen, Belgium.

We’re in the business of changing lives. In our quest to discover and develop life-improving medicines we go where no one has ever gone before. In every challenge we face, we see new opportunities. We pioneer for patients. We need thought leaders and rapid thinkers, entrepreneurs in spirit and status quo-fighters. Collaborative innovators and perseverant idealists. We need the best-in-class. In other words, we need you: The ‘make-it-happener’.

For the Cell Therapy group of Galapagos in Leiden (NL), we are looking for a Principal Technician Analytical Development

Scope of the role

As Principal Technician in our Analytical Development team, you play a pivotal role in the design, execution, and analysis of high-quality assays. With a pro-active and hands-on mentality, you work on the design and execution of experiments in the lab, as well as the writing of scientific reports. These assays are crucial tools in ensuring the efficacy and safety of our therapeutic CAR-T cell products.

This role focuses on increasing assay efficiency and standardization by reducing or simplifying the hands-on steps (e.g., introducing a automated thawing system instead of manual cell thawing) for a broad range of assays (e.g., immunoassays, cell-based assays, PCR-based assays, flow cytometry). You work closely together with your colleagues within Analytical Development, as well as with the Quality Control department, to ensure the new technologies are suitable for implementation in routine testing.

This is an opportunity to actively contribute to the optimization of analytical methods to meet the demands of our innovative pipeline. Your work directly impacts our efforts to deliver innovative treatments to patients in need.

Responsibilities

• Proactively identify assay efficiency and (low- to mid-throughput) automation opportunities for our analytical assays currently in development.
• Lead the selection and introduction of equipment to aid standardization and reduce hands-on steps.
• Proficiently design and perform studies to test improvements for a broad range of cell-based assays, PCR, flow and immuno-assays.
• Independently analyze and interpret assay data using appropriate software and contribute to data-driven decision-making.
• Maintain comprehensive records of assay procedures, results and observations in line with regulatory standards.

• Degree in Applied Sciences or Master’s degree in a relevant scientific discipline with significant practical experience (>6 years), with a strong preference for experience in a pharmaceutical or biotechnology environment.
• Familiarity and hands-on experience with a broad range of analytical techniques, including but not limited to cell-based assays and immuno-assays, as well as the associated data analysis and technical troubleshooting.
• Experience with assay automatization and standardization, preferably with state-of-the-art equipment (pipetting robot experience not needed).
• Enthusiasm for learning and adapting to new techniques and technologies in the field.
• Ability to independently design protocols and ensure accurate documentation of experimental procedures and results.
• Detail-oriented, pro-active team player, good communicator, and hands-on mentality.
• Ability to be flexible with rapidly changing priorities.
• Self-driven and can-do mindset, without compromising quality.
• Fluent in English.

What’s in it for you?

You will be part of a fast growing and amazing company. As ‘make-it-happener’ you will get all the support you need to make your job successful. At Galapagos we aim to recruit the best people, who stand out among their peers, with integrity and excellent interpersonal and organizational skills. Our employees are the strength behind Galapagos, a highly motivated team, eager to maintain Galapagos’ leading position and achieve breakthroughs in pharmaceutical research. Galapagos offers a competitive remuneration package and a dynamic work environment.

We are Galapagos : together we can make it happen…!