Associate Scientist Infectious Disease Discovery

Johnson & Johnson Worksense (via Randstad Sourceright) is responsible for finding, engaging and contracting talent for the Johnson & Johnson contingent workforce.

We are currently recruiting an Associate Scientist Infectious Disease Discovery to join our contingent workforce. You will be working in Janssen Infectious Diseases & Vaccines of J&J in Beerse, Belgium. This will be an initial contract opportunity for 1 year (start date May 23), with possibility of extension!

About  Janssen Infectious Diseases & Vaccines:

Our Fight Against Infectious Diseases Is a Global Effort. From viral hepatitis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to respiratory infections like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and pathogens of global concern such as polio and Ebola, the teams of people working in Infectious Diseases & Vaccines at Janssen have one mission. They work every day with the goal to discover and develop novel therapeutics and vaccines to treat and prevent infectious diseases worldwide, improving treatment outcomes and patients’ lives. With goals like these, there’s no time to waste. That’s why the team focuses on internal discovery and worldclass development of both therapeutics and vaccines and seeks out partners from all around the world to connect our own expertise and science with that of others. These problems are not insurmountable. They can be conquered the same way all of humanity’s greatest problems have been solved: constant effort and game-changing innovation. Thankfully, in Janssen Infectious Diseases & Vaccines we have both.

Project Scope:

• The successful candidate will support the ongoing research in the infectious disease TA aimed at the discovery of new antiviral agents for prevention of respiratory virus infection. 
• The applicant will work in a small team with the opportunity to interact with other groups in the JRD organization, bridging different stages of the discovery pipeline. 
• The applicant should be highly motivated and passionate about performing research and associated laboratory tasks.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Evaluation of antiviral activity of newly discovered molecules in virus neutralization assays
• Respiratory virus and mammalian cell culture
• Bioanalysis of in vitro and in vivo samples (viral titer and drug concentration analysis)
• Assist in running viral challenge studies to assess the efficacy of lead molecules. This includes dosing, scoring, weighing, and sampling of animals.
• After a period of initial training, it is expected that the successful candidate will become an independent lab based scientist.

Minimum requirements: 

• MSc. degree or equivalent in virology, immunology, cell biology or related disciplines.
• Experience with virus neutralization assays, molecular biology techniques (RNA extraction, RTqPCR) and/or ligand binding assays
• Willingness to work in BSL2-3 environment.
• Detail-oriented, with excellent record-keeping skills.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact in constructive and productive ways with other team members.
• FELASA B or C certification to work with laboratory animals, or equivalent would be a plus

If you meet our requirements and are interested in hearing more about our Associate Scientist Infectious Disease Discovery role, please do not hesitate to apply through the provided link today and a member of our recruitment team will be in touch!