R&D Chemist 

About Axithra 

Axithra is a spin-off from Ghent University and imec, developing a platform to quickly and accurately measure and monitor drug concentrations in blood, paving the way for treatments tailored to the specific needs of each individual, at any given time. The first application is focusing on personalizing beta-lactam antibiotics treatments in the intensive care unit. The company’s platform is based on proprietary optical and photonics technology and will allow physicians to optimize patient care by enabling personalized treatments. 

Your Role 

We are looking for an R&D Chemist for our facilities in Ghent, Belgium to reinforce our R&D team. Your role in the development of our pioneering therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) solution: 

• Develop and optimize novel porous sorbents for solid-phase extraction (SPE) of therapeutic agents 
  • Synthesize and optimize thin-film sorbents at lab scale and integrate these with photonic sensors 
  • Develop test methods to characterize the interaction between analytes and sorbents 
  • Characterize sorbents using standard or in-house developed analytical methods, such as FTIR, porosimeter, XRD, … 
  • Collect, process, and interpret test data to steer future development 
  • Quality control 
• Responsible for the chemistry lab 
• Establish and develop quality control procedures according to the quality management system and industrial guidelines 
• Coach and mentor employees as needed 
• Prepare and write technical reports and other documentation 

Job Requirements 

• PhD degree in chemistry or equivalent expertise 
• Experience in porous sorbents (porous silica, zeolite, MOFs, ...), preferably thin films, for SPE and chromatography 
• You are motivated by lab work, having hands-on experience in synthesis and analytical chemistry of mesoporous materials 
• Familiarity with thin-film integration on semiconductor platforms is a plus 
• Experience of design of experiments is beneficial 
• Experience in spectroscopy is a plus 
• Knowledge of manufacturing scale up is a plus 
• You work precisely and accurately and have good organizational skills 
• You are proactive and a problem solver 
• You are a team player and work effectively in a multidisciplinary, multinational team, able to communicate fluently in English 

What’s in it for you? 

You will be part of a fast-paced, innovative startup in constant evolution with the ability to have a genuine impact on the future of the healthcare and diagnostic landscape. You will work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary, and intellectually stimulating environment, surrounded by dedicated and hands-on colleagues. Our startup sphere offers opportunities for personal growth, and because our employees are the strength of Axithra, you will have direct impact on the company’s objectives. With your proactive, can-do attitude, our highly motivated team will support you to make your job a success. 

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and proud of our open, multicultural, multi-national, and informal working ecosystem with ample possibilities to take initiative and show responsibility. We are aware that your valuable contributions make it possible for Axithra to achieve its healthcare ambitions. Your energy and commitment are appreciated by means of a competitive remuneration package in a pleasant and stimulating work environment.

Interested?

Apply by sending your resume and motivation letter to hr@axithra.com