Associate Scientist

Orion Group Life Sciences are looking for an Associate Scientist for our Multinational Pharmaceutical client based in Boxmeer. 6-month contract, for a maternity cover. This is a fully onsite position. Preference for 40 hours per week, but 32 hours is negotiable.

The team

The D&T(-R) (Discovery & Technology(-Research) Cells team is seeking an innovative, interdisciplinary scientist with a background in molecular cell biology or virology and an interest in contributing to projects on cell line development and cell culture technologies.
CRISPR-Cas genome editing will be used to modify cell substrates by disrupting host-cell pathways that may enhance pathogen replication and antigen yield. Novel cell culture platforms will also be evaluated experimentally and compared with established systems for their impact on cell and pathogen production yields.
As an Associate Scientist, you will contribute to one or more sub-projects and report to the responsible project leader. You will work closely with specialists in other fields, like bacteriology, virology, vaccine formulation, immunology and assay development.
The ideal candidate has at least a bachelor’s degree in life sciences, preferably combined with relevant experience in a comparable role.

What will you do
As an Associate Scientist, you will work in one or more research and technology development projects within a team and report to a project leader. Your primary focus will be the planning and hands-on execution of cell culture experiments, supported by cell-based, virological and molecular assays.

Environment

The role is based in a research department focused on early-stage research, placing the candidate in an innovative environment where work on new projects and techniques is constant.

Main Responsibilities of the role

• Plan and conduct laboratory experiments, report progress and results to the project leader.
• Contribute to D&T research projects, with primary responsibility for cell biology, cell culture and related technologies.
• Maintain, expand and coordinate mammalian or avian cell cultures using aseptic techniques.
• Perform and support virological assays, flow cytometry, transfections and qPCR analyses.
• Conduct experiments in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Environment, Health and Safety (EHS) requirements.
• Collaborate closely with colleagues within the team and across departments.

Required Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Cell Biology, Virology, Biochemistry, or a related life sciences field.
• Hands-on experience with cell culture techniques and cell biology; experience with molecular biology methods such as qPCR or CRISPR-Cas, and virology techniques such as infection assays or virus titration, is preferred (can also be recent graduates who have built up experience in their internships, thesis projects).
• Affinity with vaccine development and an interest in applying laboratory techniques to animal health research.
• Familiarity with GLP and SHE requirements is an advantage.
• Able to work in a sterile way.
• Knowledge/experience working in a biosafety cabinet.
• Good communication and documentation skills, with a professional attitude and eagerness to learn in a dynamic work environment.
• Strong team player who collaborates effectively with colleagues across disciplines.
• Able to work structured and precise.
• Open to guidance during the onboarding period but ambitious about eventually conducting experiments independently.
• Curious, eager to learn new things, and keen to further develop their skills in research and laboratory work.
• Fluent in English, with good spoken and written communication skills.
• Fluent in Dutch is a plus, but not a must.
• Available to start ideally in October or November 2026.

If you would like to have a confidential conversation regarding this opportunity, please reach out to Tim Browaeys, tim.browaeys@orion-jobs.com or contact Tim on 0044 7593448607

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