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Senior / Principal Scientist – Microbiology Discovery
Overview
A pioneering microbiome-focused biotechnology organisation is seeking a Senior or Principal Scientist to join its growing Microbiology Discovery function. The team is dedicated to developing innovative microbial-based therapeutic strategies, leveraging advanced gut microbiome modelling tools and deep biological insight to target conditions linked to impaired intestinal health.
Working within a leading research environment alongside experts in microbial ecology, host biology, and therapeutic development, the successful candidate will help shape the next generation of microbiome-derived medicines. The company is backed by strong scientific expertise, cutting‑edge technology platforms, and a clinical‑stage pipeline addressing inflammatory and gastrointestinal disease.
Role Summary
The Senior/Principal Scientist will define strategies for selecting, characterising, and assembling bacterial strains for therapeutic consortia. You will apply ecological and functional understanding of microbial species to design breakthrough microbial therapeutics, collaborating closely across bioinformatics, in vitro pharmacology, and process development teams.
Key Responsibilities
Propose and evaluate bacterial strains and multi‑strain therapeutics, building evidence‑based hypotheses and presenting findings clearly to project teams
Integrate microbial ecology and functionality principles into rational consortium design
Develop and optimise approaches for characterising bacteria based on program needs
Design and execute analytical methods and enzymatic assays (GC, HPLC, metabolic readouts, functional assays, etc.) to assess strain behaviour and interactions
Establish internal assay capabilities or manage external partners when needed
Stay current with advancements in microbiology and proactively introduce new concepts or technologies
Contribute to scientific proposals and novel research initiatives
Work collaboratively across multiple projects with cross‑functional scientists
Deliver high‑quality scientific presentations and data interpretation to project leadership
About You – Required Experience
PhD in Microbiology, Microbial Ecology, Biological Sciences, or a related discipline (≥5 years industry experience ideal)
Strong understanding of microbial taxonomy, functionality, and ecological interactions
Hands‑on experience culturing bacteria; anaerobic culturing highly beneficial
Familiar with modern microbiological methods and bacterial functionality assessment
Experience with omics‑based approaches to bacterial characterisation; bioinformatics skills advantageous
Knowledge of bacterial metabolism, cross‑feeding networks, and colonic microbiota ecosystems
Experience within drug discovery or therapeutic development is a plus
Strong collaborative mindset, able to operate effectively in a multidisciplinary matrix setup
Highly organised, strong communicator, able to translate complex biology into clear experimental plans
Ghent, Flemish Region, Belgium
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