Project managerstaff scientist Cognitive Compass Project

About us

The VIB-KU Leuven Center for Neuroscience is part of the VIB Life Sciences Institute and embedded within the University of Leuven one of the worlds top 50 universities. Our mission is to accelerate breakthroughs in the understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative and neurological disorders. By combining deep mechanistic insight with translational ambition the center aims to develop next-generation therapeutic strategies.

We are now recruiting an outstanding Project Coordinator/Staff Scientist to support the scientific administrative and operational management of Cognitive Compass a major Flemish initiative focused on population-level implementation of Alzheimer biomarker diagnostics (pTau217) and translational neuroscience.

The Project Coordinator will work closely with Prof. Bart De Strooper the programmes steering committee partner universities (Leuven Antwerpen Gent) and VIB Headquarters to ensure smooth execution regulatory compliance timely reporting and scientific integration across all project components. The role combines high-level project management with hands-on operational tasks in the research environment and is supported by the different support teams of VIB.

Your responsibilities

1. Project Management and Coordination

• Act as central point of contact between VIB Headquarters the Flemish government and the Cognitive Compass steering committee.
• Coordinate project timelines work packages milestones and deliverables.
• Prepare and manage progress reports financial overviews risk assessments and compliance documentation in collaboration with VIB Head Quarters.
• Support preparation and organization of steering committee meetings scientific advisory boards and stakeholder events.
• Monitor the execution of contracts data-sharing agreements and consortium commitments with VIB Legal and Grants Office.

2. Operational Scientific Support

• Establish and oversee a 3D neuronal and microglial cell culture platform including workflow optimisation automatization equipment procurement and SOP development.
• Coordinate the derivation quality control and biobanking of patient-derived iPSC lines in collaboration with core facilities and clinical partners.
• Support ethical submissions (Flanders KU Leuven UZ Leuven UZ Antwerpen) and ensure proper documentation and traceability of biological material.
• Facilitate communication between laboratory teams and data-science partners working on biomarker assay development and clinical phenotyping.

3. Administrative and Financial Liaison

• Work with VIB Finance and KU Leuven Research Coordination Office to ensure correct spending auditing and reporting of project funds.
• Track commitments and ensure proper allocation across participating sites.
• Assist with annual budget planning and preparation of future grant applications linked to the Cognitive Compass programme.
• Follow up with VIB Legal and contracting units on consortium agreements and institutional obligations.

4. Communication and Stakeholder Engagement

• Prepare internal updates scientific summaries and communication materials in collaboration with VIB Communications.
• Maintain structured communication with external partners including industry stakeholders and clinical networks.
• Contribute to dissemination activities including workshops symposia and public-facing events

Your profile

Essential

• Masters or PhD in Biomedical Sciences Neuroscience Molecular Biology or related field.
• Strong organisational skills and experience coordinating complex projects.
• Ability to interact effectively with clinicians researchers administrators and policy stakeholders.
• Excellent command of English and Dutch.
• Hands-on experience in at least one of the following:
  • stem cell biology
  • iPSC derivation or QC
  • 3D culture systems
  • molecular or cellular neurobiology.

Desirable

• Experience with population-level biomedical or clinical research projects.
• Familiarity with VIB KU Leuven or similar research environments.
• Experience with ethical approvals data governance or biomarker studies.
• Independent proactive and structured working style.
• Experience interacting with finance legal or grants administration is a plus.

Our offer

• A unique opportunity to contribute to one of the most ambitious Alzheimer research programmes in Europe.
• A dynamic collaborative environment across VIB- HQ and VIB-Leuven offering extensive scientific and administrative support.
• A competitive salary and full employment package.
• The chance to shape both scientific strategy and operational infrastructure.
• A high degree of autonomy and intellectual engagement.

Start date: as soon as possible. The position is immediately available.

How to apply

Please use the online VIB Application tool ( documents:

• detailed CV
• motivation letter
• names and contact details of 3 referees (if available)

More information:

Website Video Virtual Tour

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