The Royal Military Academy of Belgium (RMA) is a military institution responsible for the basic academic, military and physical training of future officers and for the continuing advanced training of officers during their active career in the Belgian Defence department ( https://www.rma.ac.be ). It is fully recognized as a university, fulfilling the same criteria as civilian universities. The Royal Military Academy is also conducting scientific research at university level for projects funded by the Belgian Defence department or external sources.

The successful candidate will be integrated in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory of the Belgian Defence Laboratories (DLD). The Chemical Analysis Lab is the reach back lab for Belgian Defence for offsite analysis and identification of Chemical Warfare Agents and related compounds in various sample types. The lab is ISO17025 accredited and is one of the twenty designated OPCW (Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons) labs. To keep up with the ever more stringent demands with regard to the analytical capabilities in this domain the research project ¿TRACE¿ should provide the necessary tools to meet future requirements.

In the framework of a research project focusing on the development of highly sensitive analytical methods for Chemical Warfare Agents (CWA) in environmental (e.g. soil and water) and biomedical (e.g. blood and urine) samples, we are looking for a full-time researcher with a MSc degree in biochemistry or molecular biology.

Study:

The first aim of the TRACE project is to improve detection limits for relevant target compounds in environmental samples to ppb level as from a forensic point of view these traces provide relevant information. Tandem Mass Spectrometry (MSMS), coupled with gas chromatography as well as liquid chromatography will be the preferred techniques. The Chemical Analysis lab has a performant analytical toolbox, but for TRACE it will be additionally equipped with a high end LCMS system based on orbital trapping technology, offering a maximal resolution of > 100K.

The second aim of the project is to use the experience gained for the analysis of biomedical samples (blood and urine). This is new terrain for our lab and includes the analysis of protein adducts by LCMS. Sample preparation protocols must be optimized and analytical strategies must have to be developed. Various publications have shown that Orbitrap LCMS is perfectly suitable for the analysis of the relevant peptides after digestion.

To ensure the success of this project, a researcher will strengthen our analytical team for a period of four years.

Main Tasks

The successful candidate will be, in cooperation with his/her colleagues and partners, responsible for designing, undertaking and analysing laboratory-based experiments. The laboratories where the experimental work will take place are part of the DLD facilities in Vilvoorde.

The successful candidate will:

• Select the relevant target compounds
• Evaluate the sensitivity of the existing procedures
• Optimize sample preparation protocols
• Optimize MS acquisition strategies
• Optimize data analysis
• Evaluate the sensitivity of the optimized procedures
• Develop a strategy for the analysis of biomedical samples resulting in a validated workflow with corresponding sample preparation protocols and analytical methods
• Set up, operate, calibrate, clean and maintain laboratory instruments and equipment.
• Write research papers, reports, reviews and summaries. The candidate will publish the relevant results in the scientific literature.
• Ensure the strict respect of quality and safety rules.
• Comply and respect the procedures concerning:
• waste management
• transport, storage, use and evacuation of biological (warfare) agents, chemicals and reagents
• purchase of goods and services
• Perform correctly and in a timely manner the different missions and tasks in collaboration with the Head of the laboratory.

Technical skills

• Suitable candidates have a Master degree in Molecular Biology or Biochemistry.
• Previous experience in mass spectrometry and/or protein sample prep is a plus.

Personal skills

• Ability to work independently and in a multidisciplinary research team;
• Proactive behavior and commitment;
• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Good coordinating skills

Other skills/Assets:

• Good command of the English language (speaking, writing and reading).
• Good command of Microsoft Office tools.

Specific requirement

The researcher may be exposed to classified information and will therefore have to obtain the required security clearance. The candidate must consent with the background check required to obtain this clearance, which will be executed by Belgian Defence.

Contract

• Probable date of recruitment: from 01 December 2022 , in consultation with the applicant.
• Status: long-term contract with the Patrimony of the Royal Military Academy (you will not be a civil servant). This project will last 4 years and can be extended after, if the funding is available.
• Wage scale: NA11 (holders of a Master Degree)
• Holiday pay.

Extra-legal benefits

• Possibility to benefit from a bilingualism allowance (Dutch/French) following a SELOR test;
• End-of-year bonus;
• Free DKV hospitalization insurance. Possibility of additional affiliation for one or more persons living under the same roof: spouse, child(ren) (50% of the price per additional member);
• Bike allowance / Free public transport (home-work commute);
• Free access to campus sports facilities outside working hours;
• On-campus restaurant and cafeteria with democratic prices (discount on the daily menu);
• Flexible working hours within the 38-hour week;
• Teleworking possible after 1 year of service at the latest;
• Additional holiday for all staff between Christmas and New Year;
• 26 days holiday / year from the 1st year of contract (then from 45 years: +1 day holiday every 5 years) + 3 days / year dispensation from service offered by the department;
• Advantages and interesting offers thanks to the Benefits@work card (discounts, vouchers...);
• Entitlement to services offered by the `Office Central d'Action Sociale et Culturelle de la Défense' (OCASC): among others holiday centres, discount on travel organised by the tour operator...;
• Possibility of benefiting from the nursery funded by Belgian Defence (subject to availability).

Application

You will be working in a military environment. For this reason, you will be subject to a security screening.

Please add to your job application a duly completed copy of the following security screening document that you can download from the web-site of RMA (currently available only in Dutch or French):

http://www.rma.ac.be/nl/aanvraag-veiligheidsverificatie

Send by email:

• a motivational letter
• a CV
• a scan of your ID card (both sides)
• the filled out security document

to Mrs Katleen De Meulenaere (Katleen.DeMeulenaere@mil.be) ; Mr Kris Geukens (Kris.Geukens@mil.be) and to Mrs Helena BRUYNINCKX (erm-deao-rswo@mil.be).

Please mention clearly the reference of the project: MSP/22-07.

Application deadline: 21 October 2022

A first pre-selection will be conducted based on the received documents. Preselected applicants meeting the requirements will be invited to an interview (+/- 30min) in the Defence Laboratories (Kw Maj Housiau, Martelarenstraat 181, 1800 Vilvoorde (Peutie), building B13).

Points of contact

• Concerning the research project: Mr Kris Geukens (Kris.Geukens@mil.be)
• Concerning the recruitment modalities: Mrs Helena Bruyninckx (erm-deao-rswo@mil.be)
• For more information about the Royal Military Academy, see http://www.rma.ac.be

Work place

Main workplace: Defence Laboratories (DLD): Quarter Major Housiau, Martelarenstraat 181, B-1800 Vilvoorde (Peutie).