Industrial Postdoctoral Scientist: Human In Vitro Neural Models for Connectivity and Disease

Make your mark for patients

We are looking for a curious, collaborative and proactive Industrial Postdoctoral Scientist to join our In Vitro Pharmacology team, based at our Braine-l’Alleud site in Belgium. All applications must be submitted by 14 November 2026 by 23.59 CET.

This industry-based postdoctoral project offers you the opportunity to conduct innovative research within a global biopharmaceutical environment. You will develop advanced human in vitro neural models of neurological disease and pain biology, generating phenotypic and mechanistic insights with potential applications in target or therapeutic discovery. This is an exciting opportunity for a talented scientist to contribute to cutting-edge neuroscience research in a dynamic drug discovery environment, inspired by patients and driven by science.

You will be working in the human biology platform from the in vitro pharmacology department that supports neuroscience programs involving small molecules, biological medicines and gene therapies. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary scientists and external scientific experts, using modern laboratory technologies to connect human disease biology with advanced cellular models to gain translational knowledge of novel targets or disease biologies.

• Develop, establish, and characterize complex human in vitro models relevant to neurological diseases and pain biology.
• Design and implement human iPSC-derived model systems to study neuronal connectivity, synaptic communication, and network function.
• Build two-dimensional, three-dimensional and multicellular models, including organoids, assembloids and microphysiological platforms.
• Design, conduct, analyse and interpret experiments supporting target discovery, validation and potential therapy development.
• Implement innovative cellular, molecular, imaging and functional measurements, producing high-quality and reproducible data.
• Communicate findings to multidisciplinary teams and introduce relevant emerging technologies and scientific methods.

• Doctorate in cell biology, neuroscience, stem cell biology, biomedical sciences or a related discipline.
• Experience developing human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural models for neurological disease research.
• Practical expertise in advanced neural cultures, functional measurements or imaging methods for complex models.
• Strong experimental design, data analysis, scientific problem-solving and appropriate statistical interpretation skills.
• Ability to progress scientific projects independently while collaborating effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Clear written and spoken English, with confidence presenting scientific findings internally and at conferences.

Are you ready to ‘go beyond’ to create value and make your mark for patients? If this sounds like you, then we would love to hear from you! 

About us 
UCB is a global biopharmaceutical company, focusing on neurology and immunology. We are over 9.000 people in all four corners of the globe, inspired by patients and driven by science. 

Why work with us? 
At UCB, we don’t just complete tasks, we create value. We aren’t afraid to push forward, collaborate, and innovate to make our mark for patients. We have a caring, supportive culture where everyone feels included, respected, and has equal opportunities to do their best work. We ‘go beyond’ to create value for our patients, and always with a human focus, whether that’s on our patients, our employees, or our planet. Working for us, you will discover a place where you can grow, and have the freedom to carve your own career path to achieve your full potential. 

At UCB, we’ve embraced a hybrid-first approach to work, bringing teams together in local hubs to foster collaborative curiosity. Unless expressly stated in the description or precluded by the nature of the position, roles are hybrid with 40% of your time spent in the office.

UCB is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions will be made without regard to any characteristic protected by applicable laws. 
 
Should you require any adjustments to our process to assist you in demonstrating your strengths and capabilities contact us on EMEA-Reasonable_Accommodation@ucb.com. Please note should your enquiry not relate to adjustments; we will not be able to support you through this channel.