Join us

In the framework of a collaborative project between the laboratory of Prof. Habiba Alsafar, Khalifa University, Abu Dhabi (UAE) and the laboratory of Prof. Peter Carmeliet, VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology, Leuven (Belgium) we are recruiting a highly motivated animal caretaker for our satellite vivarium.

The lab of Prof. Habiba Alsafar of the department of genetics and molecular biology at the Khalifa University of Science, Technology and Research (Abu Dhabi, UAE, https://www.ku.ac.ae/research) recently started a project with Prof. Peter Carmeliet in Leuven, Belgium (https://carmelietlab.sites.vib.be/en). Both the Khalifa and Leuven lab function as one virtual twin lab, and synergistically combine their joint forces and focus to study similar fundamental questions in vascular biology and angiogenesis, and to develop more efficiently new vascular medicine.

Prof. Alsafar has an open position for an Animal Caretaker in the Khalifa University lab. You will be located in the Khalifa lab in Abu Dhabi. If needed, you will be trained in the lab of Prof Carmeliet in Leuven to acquire the required skills.

Job Description

You will be involved in the daily maintenance of the satellite vivarium (mouse room), in the cage washing and cleaning activities, in the stock management and in some experimental procedures with animals.

• Maintenance of mice colonies
  • Taking care of mice
  • Weekly changing of cages
  • Checking water and food stock of animals
  • Follow-up of environmental parameters (temperature & humidity) in satellite vivarium
  • Taking samples for health screening purposes
• Breeding of mice
  • Start-up new breeding pairs
  • Weaning of pups 
  • Taking samples for genotyping purposes
  • Registration of mice in an electronic database
  • Follow-up the general health status of the animals
• Cleaning
  • Cleaning of cages, water bottles, grids, lids, and Hepa-filter
  • Cleaning of satellite vivarium
• Logistic tasks
  • Stock management of satellite vivarium and cage washing room
• Experimental procedures
  • Assist the scientific personnel during some experimental procedures (tail vein injection, gavage...)
  • Perform some of the procedures yourself after proper training

Your Profile

• Although no formal training is technically required and no specific degree needed, having an education or certification (AALAS, FELASA A, or similar) as animal caretaker or having experience with laboratory animal care is an added value.
• Willingness to also participate in checking animals during the weekend and on official holidays
• Fluent in Arabic and English (international working environment)
• Notions of Microsoft Excel
• Able to work independently, punctually, and accurately
• Willingness to execute tasks adhering to the strict procedures, needed to ensure and maintain a clean health status of animals
• You do not have any rodents or rabbits at home as pets

Please send your application to Dr. Mira Imousa and Prof. Habiba Alsafar.

Job Title: Research Scientist (Fund: 843400473)
Reports to: Director Dr. Habiba Alsafar
Department: Center for Biotechnology

Job purpose

• To provide high quality research support and engaging internationally competitive research with the ultimate aim of publishing, thereby contributing significantly to the University’s research mission.
• As the Research Scientist experience is a transitional phase towards becoming an independent researcher or faculty member, the Research Scientist tries their best to acquire the diverse skills necessary for advancing their career with guidance from the supervisor. These skills include, but are not limited to, the ability to present research plans and findings in a convincing style, both in oral and written communication, the ability to understand research group management and supervision, the ability to establish contacts and networking with colleagues pursuing similar research goals, the ability to organize and teach classes or courses for those inclined towards a teaching career.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Strategic responsibilities

The Biotechnology Center at Khalifa University  is looking for a motivated Staff Scientist to help to discover new therapeutic targets (using bulk/single cell multi-omics) and to bridge the valley of death (by functionally validating these targets). As part of the research team, you will interact with an experienced team of laboratory technicians and researchers. We are looking for dynamic and flexible candidates, willing to step into new adventures, daring to break new grounds outside of their comfort zone, passionate about opportunities to set up new technologies and facilities, not being shy of diving into new fields, being primed and eager to become acquainted with new techniques.

• Leading the collaborative project, managing the project including supervising junior colleagues, planning daily agendas, managing budgets, writing publications and grant applications, designing experiments, etc
• Participating in scientific research as a professionally responsible member of the research team, in problem exploration, and definition, planning of the approach and sequence of steps, execution of experiments or studies, interpretation of findings, documentation and reporting of results and progress, maintenance of research records and compliance to all established policies and procedures;
• Regularly meets with the Advisor to apprise the Advisor of the research results, for the development and troubleshooting of techniques, to provide direction and focus to the research, to air concerns and conflicts, and to express mutual expectations;
• Publishing research results in a journal appropriate to the field in a timely manner, may present findings at meetings;
• Participating in writing grant applications and proposals that pertain to the research;
• Contributing to the overall activities of the research team and the department, as required;
• Undertaking a limited amount of teaching in relation to subject area and mentors graduate students and/or undergraduates under the supervision of the Advisor;
• Performing other similar or related duties as and when assigned by the Advisor

Operational responsibilities

• Successful candidates will join the Biotechnology Center  and will be expected to initiate and lead funded research projects  in the Genome Field.
• Carries out research and produces publications, or other research output, in line with personal objectives agreed in the review process.
• Engages in scholarly or creative activities in their area of expertise and makes results available for critical peer review.

Supervisory responsibilities

• Contributes to research center or University-wide working groups or committees as requested.
• Fosters service by contributing to the community at large in participatory, developmental and advisory capacity.
• Supports and participates in research activities.

Qualifications & Experience

Required qualifications

PhD or equivalent in biology, biomedicine, genomics, computer science, bioinformatics, pharmacy, or other related fields – vascular/immunology expertise is an advantage, but not mandatory.

Required experience

The candidate must have:         

• Substantial experience with Genomics, Biology, cancer, and multi-omics.
• Demonstrated analysis skills in complex disease (Diabetes, cardiovascular disease) omics association studies.
• Experience on working in an ISO accredited laboratory, maintain SOPs, and PT testing
• You have solid experience in a research lab environment (>4-5 years).
• Substantial experience with Genomics, Biology statistical, and epidemiologic data analysis.
• Demonstrated computational analysis skills in complex disease (Diabetes, cardiovascular disease) omics association studies.
• Experience and training in genomic analyses, Bayesian mapping and epidemiology.
• You are interested and motivated to work on ambitious projects in an open, dynamic, competitive and driven team.
• You are flexible and willing to learn new technologies.
• You maintain excellent organizational skills; you can work in a team as well as independently.
• Good English communication skills, both oral and written, are expected.

Please send your application to Dr. Mira Imousa and Prof. Habiba Alsafar.