Key Skills

Job Description

Company Overview Qorium is a fast-growing startup committed to advancing sustainable and scalable cultivated leather production. Our dedicated international team works across multiple disciplines to drive innovations that are shaping the future of leather. Position Overview We are looking for a driven (Junior) Research Associate to join our Cell Biology team in Maastricht. As a (Junior) Research Associate in Cell Banking, you will join a multidisciplinary team and support our bioprocessing and cell biology work. You will help us build, expand and test our cell banks, and your work will cover cryopreservation, viability and recovery assays, as well as sterility testing. You will also help adapt our cryopreservation protocols and banking workflows to larger volumes. This is a hands-on laboratory role. Your main responsibilities will be to: Lead cell bank production runs Perform routine QC assays Keep organised records and sample inventories Check the performance of the cell banks on a regular basis Work closely with colleagues in cell biology, tissue engineering and bioprocessing to keep daily operations running smoothly You will also have the opportunity to: Build a strong base in cryopreservation, cell culture and quality control testing for cell banks Use your experimental results to answer research questions and to develop reliable, reproducible banking procedures Work more independently, help develop protocols and solve cryopreservation and recovery problems You will receive structured onboarding and training to build the skills needed for success and long-term development. Who You Are You are a curious and motivated scientist who enjoys hands-on work and is comfortable with routine tasks. You thrive in a collaborative environment, are detail-oriented in your day-to-day work, and are driven by the idea of contributing to a more sustainable future. At Qorium, our values guide the way we work together: Excellence: You work with precision, dedication and creativity. Integrity: You are honest and open in your work and committed to ethical choices. Respect: You value others, listen actively and contribute to a safe and inclusive workplace. Curiosity: You seek to understand deeply and embrace learning and discovery. Tenacity: You are resilient and flexible, overcoming challenges with determination. Diversity: You welcome different perspectives and believe collaboration across cultures and teams drives innovation. Required skills and qualifications: MBO (vocational diploma), HBO/BSc in Laboratory Science, Biomedical Science, Biotechnology or a related field Industry experience: 0–2 years (Junior) or 2–5 years (Associate) Hands-on experience with 2D and/or suspension cell culture, including thawing, passaging, freezing and maintaining cells Good aseptic technique, and familiarity with cell culture and reagent preparation and handling Strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to follow protocols and SOPs accurately Ability to keep accurate lab records and document experiments Ability to work well in a team Good verbal and written communication skills (minimum B2 level English) Permission to work in the EU (Netherlands) Preferred skills: Experience with microscopy and imaging techniques Familiarity with suspension cultures and/or adapting adherent cells to suspension Familiarity with bioreactor operation or benchtop culture systems Familiarity with QC microbiology, such as sterility or mycoplasma testing Experience with an electronic lab notebook or LIMS, such as Benchling Candidates who do not meet every preferred skill are still encouraged to apply. What We Offer Work in an excellent, highly motivated international team that combines dedication with a positive and engaging work culture Opportunities to broaden your expertise by learning from different scientific fields and innovative technologies Contribute directly to the progress of lab-grown leather and a more sustainable future 25 days of paid leave per year, complemented by additional benefits Work in the historic city of Maastricht Start date: January 2027 How to Apply If you are excited about the opportunity to join our team and meet the qualifications, please apply by emailing your resume directly to HR, [email protected]. A cover letter is welcome; at a minimum, please include a few lines on your motivation for applying. NOTE: Applications received directly by email will be prioritised.

Core Responsibilities

Lead cell bank production runs, perform routine quality control assays, maintain accurate laboratory records and sample inventories, and regularly assess cell bank performance. Collaborate with cell biology, tissue engineering, and bioprocessing colleagues, while helping adapt cryopreservation protocols and banking workflows for larger volumes.

Requirements

Requires an MBO vocational diploma or an HBO/BSc in Laboratory Science, Biomedical Science, Biotechnology, or a related field, with 0–2 years of experience for a junior candidate or 2–5 years for an associate. Candidates need hands-on 2D and/or suspension cell culture experience, strong aseptic technique, accurate documentation and protocol-following skills, teamwork and communication abilities, at least B2-level English, and permission to work in the Netherlands; microscopy, bioreactors, QC microbiology, and ELN/LIMS experience are preferred.

Benefits

• 25 Days Of Paid Leave
• Additional Benefits