Category: Closed vacancies

JOB DESCRIPTION

Currently we are looking for an animal research technician to join our young and dynamic international team working on challenging research projects in shrimp aquaculture. Working alongside other scientific staff you will support our research activities through daily shrimp care, monitoring, recording and reporting on various shrimp health parameters.

TASKS

Your tasks, among others, will include:

• Shrimp husbandry
• Preparation, production of shrimp feed
• Reporting through collection and entry of data into the electronic database
• Daily care of shrimp breeding facilities and operations
• Carrying out various experimental trial procedures, including preparation and clearing up of experimental facilities
• Contributing to optimisation of existing standard operating procedures and work instructions
• Supporting operations and project managers

REQUIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Bachelor degree in animal care, biology or related study fields
• Experience in animal care
• Experience in aquaculture is a plus
• Flexible, proactive and motivated
• Solution oriented
• Eye for detail, precision, discipline
• Resilience and strong sense of responsibility
• Willing to work on weekend rotation (1-2 weekends per month)
• Good spoken English

WE OFFER

An attractive salary package proportional to performance and responsibilities

Intensive in-house training and coaching

Being part of an international team of aquaculture experts at a dynamic company

Participating in exiting aquaculture research projects

Free coffee/tea/fruit

If you think you are a good match for our requirements, then please apply via this link:

https://imaqua-cro.odoo.com/jobs/animal-research-technician-40

or send your CV and motivation letter via email to recruitment-art072025@imaqua-cro.odoo.com

Closing date for applications 31/08/2025

Company Description

IMAQUA, a spin-off company from Ghent University, provides contract research services in shrimp health. We focus on testing the effects of compounds, feed formulations, and genetic selection on shrimp growth performance, immunity, and disease resistance. We offer unique combinations of standardized in vivo and in vitro testing models for various relevant pathogens, including WSSV and AHPND/EMS.

Role Description

This is a full-time on-site role for a Cleaning and Maintenance Technician, located in Lochristi. The Cleaning and Maintenance Technician will be responsible for performing daily cleaning and routine maintenance of equipment and facilities to ensure the smooth operation R&D installations. Daily tasks will also include inspecting and maintaining operational installations and ensuring all work areas are kept clean and organized.

Qualifications

• Equipment maintenance skills
• Cleaning and organisation skills
• Attention to detail, thoroughness and work discipline
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Good English (able to understand and follow instructions)
• Physically strong and resilient
• Experience in a laboratory or research environment is a plus
• A relevant technical certification or diploma is preferred
• Valid work permit for Belgium is a must

We offer

• Good salary package (holiday money, 13th salary, 20 days of holiday, meal vouchers, travel reimbursement)
• Fruit, tea, coffee on the house
• Great international team

To apply, send your CV via email to recruitment-032025@imaqua-cro.odoo.com before 21/03/2025

JOB DESCRIPTION

Currently we are looking for an animal research technician to join our young and dynamic international team working on challenging research projects in shrimp aquaculture. Working alongside other scientific staff you will support our research activities through daily shrimp care, monitoring, recording and reporting on various shrimp health parameters.

TASKS

Your tasks among others will include:

• Feeding the shrimp and monitoring of various shrimp health parameters
• Preparation of shrimp feed
• Reporting through collection and entry of data into the electronic database
• Daily maintenance and support of shrimp breeding facilities
• Carrying out shrimp breeding procedures
• Carrying out various experimental trial procedures, including preparation and clearing up of experimental facilities
• Contributing to optimisation of existing standard operating procedures and work instructions.

REQUIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

• Bachelor degree in animal care, biology or related study fields
• Experience in animal care
• Experience in aquaculture is a plus
• Flexible, proactive and motivated
• Solution oriented
• Eye for detail, precision, discipline
• Resilience and strong sence of responsibility
• Willing to work on weekend rotation (1-2 weekends per month)
• Good spoken English

WE OFFER

An attractive salary package proportional to performance and responsibilities

Intensive in-house training and coaching

Being part of an international team of aquaculture experts at a dynamic company

Participating in exiting aquaculture research projects

Free coffee/tea/fruit 

If you think you are a good match for our requirements, then please apply via this link:

https://imaqua-cro.odoo.com/jobs/detail/animal-research-technician-28

or send your CV and motivation letter via email to selectionart0824@imaqua-cro.odoo.com

Closing date for applications 15/09/2024

OUR COMPANY

IMAQUA is Contract Research Organisation that provides contract research services to the shrimp aquaculture industry. We provide high quality testing services for application on the development, validation and valorisation of shrimp health products. We consult on conceptual issues and various aspects of shrimp health and immunity.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Laboratory technician at our microbiology laboratory will have the responsibility for supporting laboratory management, client trials and internal R&D activities essential to the innovation portfolio and smooth functioning of IMAQUA.

The ideal candidate should have a strong interest in animal sciences, particularly aquaculture and previous laboratory experience. Besides the ability to follow protocols and instructions and flawlessly executing of laboratory procedures, he/she should share our passion for driving innovation with the highest quality standards.

You will work alongside our scientific staff on challenging research projects in shrimp aquaculture. We offer an attractive salary package proportional to performance and responsibilities.

REQUIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

· 3-5 years of laboratory work experience

· Studies in biotechnology or similar

· Proficient with following techniques: qPCR, Microbiology, Histology

· Hands on experience working with laboratory animals

· Must be able to handle multiple assignments successfully

· Must be precise and accurate, well organised with excellent time management skills

· Must be able to perform in a fast-paced environment

· Good mathematical (basic statistical skills highly desirable), problem-solving and analytical skills

· Well-developed interpersonal skills

· Possess strong initiative, professional, team player attitude

· Ability to follow strict standard operating procedures (SOPs) and to develop new ones

· Discrete and able to handle confidential data

· Excellent English language skills, spoken and written

· Ready to work on periodical weekend shift

· Has driving license

TASKS

Planning and execution of in vitro microbiological/molecular tests and in vivo infection trials:

· Bacterial culture

· Determination of MIC of experimental antibiotics, probiotics and feed additives

· Bacteriostatic activity with agar diffusion assay of experimental products

· Fixation and staining of thin sections of shrimp tissues

· Microbiology test of shrimp gut digestive and hepatopancreas

· Analysis immune parameter of shrimp haemolymph and tissues

· Shrimp haemocyte collection, total count and differential count

· Probiotics and pathogen co-culture assay

· Shrimp gene expression analysis

· Planning and preparation of trial documentation

· Setting up and execution of controlled infection experiments on shrimp

· Drafting of internal reports

Organisation and quality control:

· Responsible for routine laboratory compliance and maintenance

· Managing laboratory materials stocks and inventory

· Ensures strict adherence to biosafety rules and procedures

· Manages laboratory records and files

Handling and execution:

· Correct blood withdrawal from shrimp & testing of immune parameters

· Examination of animals for behavioural changes or clinical symptoms

· Ensures execution of GLPs in the lab and follow safety rules and procedures

· Development of daily planning of laboratory procedures and coordinating their execution

WE OFFER

An attractive salary package proportional to performance and responsibilities

Intensive in-house training and coaching

Being part of an international team of aquaculture experts at a dynamic company

Participating in exiting aquaculture research projects

Free coffee/tea/fruit

If you are interested, please send your CV in pdf format to selectionlabtec0224@imaqua-cro.odoo.com

Closing date: 15/05/2024

IMAQUA is looking for a highly motivated and driven candidate to organise and manage various research projects and activities, coordinate and supervise the team at our premises in Belgium.

REQUIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

– PhD degree in Veterinary Medicine, Bioengineering, Biology or related fields

– Proven management skills (time/processes/resources)

– Efficiency and effectiveness in performance of tasks

– Ability to multitask, prioritise and solve problems,

– Analytic mindset, attention to detail

– Driven and energetic team player

– Strong sense of responsibility

– Ability to develop procedures, draft work proposals and reports

– Effective communicator

– Excellent English (spoken and written)

– Advanced knowledge of Excel and other Microsoft office tools, statistic program

TASKS

Management of contract research trials and related activities:

· Plan, coordinate and supervise execution of trial activities, solve issues

· Analyse data, draft proposals and reports

· Liaise with clients

· Oversee day to day activities of the team and training

· Develop and enforce research policies and Standard Operating Procedures

· Manage and optimise the workflows

Management of R&D projects and related activities:

· Contribute to project proposals

· Plan, coordinate and execute R&D projects, manage project resources

· Liaise with project stakeholders

· Report, keep documentation up to date and organised

WE OFFER

– An attractive salary package proportional to performance and responsibilities

– Intensive in-house training and coaching

– A possibility of rapid career development

– Being part of an international team of aquaculture experts at a dynamic company

– Participating in exciting aquaculture research projects

Please apply via linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/3800948095/

or our website https://imaqua-cro.odoo.com/jobs/detail/junior-project-manager-20

before 30/01/2024

Doctoral project title: 

Hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis in shrimp: development of new laboratory techniques for studying pathogenesis and defence

Background

Aquaculture of shrimp has become an important industry worldwide, but disease outbreaks remain a major problem. One of the most recently discovered pathogens in shrimp is the microsporidia Enterocytozoon hepatopenaei (EHP). Microsporidia are fascinating organisms, obligate intracellular parasites that belong phylogenetically to the fungi but share some properties with viruses. EHP has been associated with disease of the digestive system (hepatopancreatic microsporidiosis) and retarded growth. However, many aspects of this disease are not yet well understood, such as the pathogenesis and immune response of the shrimp. In addition, there are specific challenges associated with working with microsporidia in the laboratory that need to be addressed first.

This PhD project will be carried out in a collaboration between IMAQUA and Ghent University.

IMAQUA is a professional Contract Research Organization (CRO) established in 2015 as a spin-off company of Ghent University to conduct contract research for the shrimp farming industry. At IMAQUA, shrimp diseases and host defenses are studied in detail to establish science-based disease models.

The Aquaculture Laboratory at the Faculty of Bioscience Engineering of UGent has a very long experience and proven track record in (doctoral) research. Besides its role as Artemia Reference Center (ARC), the research group has an extensive international network in countries with shrimp aquaculture and close collaboration with other faculties at UGent.

To make this PhD project possible, an application for a Baekeland mandate will be submitted to VLAIO, the Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of the Flemish Government. Baekeland mandates aim to offer researchers the opportunity to perform a PhD in close collaboration with a company.

Assignment of the doctoral candidate and research proposal

• Implementation of the research project in collaboration with IMAQUA and Ugent (employed at IMAQUA, enrolled as a PhD at Ugent). 
• The main activity is scientific research, including literature study, practical work in laboratories and with live laboratory animals. This work will be carried out at both UGent and IMAQUA based on the cooperation agreement between the two organizations.
• The ultimate goal of this research is to complete a dissertation within a four-year period, based on published articles in scientific journals.
• Furthermore, the doctoral candidate will also present his/her results at international scientific conferences and workshops.
• The plan of the research project has already been worked out by the promoters.
• The doctoral candidate will have to defend the submitted project before a jury of VLAIO, where especially the motivation and scientific attitude of the candidate will be evaluated.

Profile of the candidate

• You have a Master’s degree in veterinary medicine, bioengineering sciences or similar biomedical field.
• You have a basic knowledge in laboratory techniques (pipetting, sterile working,…) and biosafety concepts.
• You have a strong interest in research and want to master a subject in a systematic and scientific way.
• You are a go-getter, with self-reliance, but also good to work in a team.
• You are motivated and determined to work hard for 4 years and make a PhD thesis.
• Your English language skills are impeccable (verbal and written).
• You are willing to work partly in Ghent and partly in Lochristi. 

We offer you

• The possibility to obtain a PhD within the duration of the mandate. A mandate lasts in principle four years (2 years, and after positive evaluation a second term of 2 years). 
• The opportunity to participate in a breakthrough in the research of a pathogen that is still little understood. In addition, microsporidia occur in most animal species, including humans where the discovery occurred only in the 1980s in HIV patients, providing many career opportunities toward the future.
• Support from a dynamic team of colleagues for hands-on work.
• Support by experienced scientists and professors for publishing and presenting your research work in scientific journals and at international conferences.
• Employment at IMAQUA with salary package corresponding to the rules of PC207.

Contact and timing

• Submit application and CV: mail to hr@imaqua.eu.
• The application period runs until March 1, 2023.

Selected candidates will be invited for a personal interview in the first week of March 2023

REQUIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

• PhD degree in Veterinary Medicine, Bioengineering, Biology or related fields
• Basic management skills (time/processes/resources)
• Efficiency and effectiveness in performance of tasks
• Ability to prioritise and solve problems
• Driven and energetic team player
• Strong sense of responsibility and attention to detail
• Ability to develop procedures, draft work proposals and reports
• Effective communicator
• Excellent English (spoken and written)
• Advanced knowledge of Excel and other Microsoft office tools, statistic program

TASKS

Management of contract research trials and related activities:

• Plan, coordinate and execute contract research trials
  • Solve issues and escalate complex issues to management
  • Liaise with clients and manage client database 
  • Motivate, coordinate and manage day to day activities of the team 
  • Develop and enforce research policies and Standard Operating Procedures
  • Analyse data, draft reports 
  • Manage and optimise the workflows
  • Oversee and assist the employee training

WE OFFER

– An attractive salary package proportional to performance and responsibilities

– Intensive in-house training and coaching

– A possibility of rapid career development

– Being part of an international team of aquaculture experts at a dynamic company

– Participating in exiting aquaculture research projects 

Please send your CV and motivation letter to HR@imaqua.eu before 08/01/2023

JOB DESCRIPTION

IMAQUA is looking for a highly motivated and driven candidate to organise and manage research facility and contract research activities at our premises in Belgium.

TASKS

Management of research facilities in order to ensure its smooth functioning 

· Installations/resources/technical personnel

· Facility engineering improvements (propose and implement innovative and effective engineering solutions)

Management of research activities:

· Plan, coordinate and execute research activities/trials, solve issues

· Liaise with clients and manage client database 

· Motivate, coordinate and manage day to day activities of the team 

· Develop and enforce research policies and Standard Operating Procedures

· Draft scientific technical reports

· Manage and optimise the workflow

· Oversee and assist the employee training

REQUIRED CANDIDATE PROFILE

· Degree in Bio-engineering, Zoo-engineering, Animal life support engineering, Aquaculture engineering or related fields (candidates with PhD degree will be prioritized)

· 5 years of experience in managing projects/processes/people (preferable in aquaculture field)

· In depth knowledge of functioning of aquaculture/water systems and equipment

· Knowledge of aquatic animal physiology (preferably shrimp), husbandry practices, biosafety principles and nutrition 

· Understanding of basic laboratory procedures (is a plus)

· Efficiency and effectiveness in performance of the tasks

· Ability to prioritise and solve problems

· Ability to motivate and efficiently manage team 

· Strong sense of responsibility and meticulous attention to detail

· Ability to develop procedures, draft scientific technical reports

· Effective communicator

· Excellent English (spoken and written)

· Advanced knowledge of Excel and other Microsoft office tools, statistical IT tools

WE OFFER

– An attractive salary package proportional to experience, performance and responsibilities

– Being part of an international team of aquaculture experts at a dynamic forward thinking company

– Participating in exiting aquaculture research projects 

If you think you are a good match for our requirements, then please send us your CV and short motivation letter to HR@imaqua.eu

Closing date for applications 30/04/2022