About the role

As Science Communication and Grants Coordinator you employ your science enthusiasm and writing skills to support the strategic communications and outreach activities of VIB and the Center for Structural Biology, and to contribute in the preparation, follow-up and reporting of large-scale science funding projects in the Center. You form the liaison between the VIB HQ Communications team and the Center.

Key tasks & responsibilities

1. Communications support within the Center

You are responsible for developing and executing an international strategic communication plan to position the Center as a leader in their field, aligned with the VIB overall communications strategy. You are also responsible for the Center’s internal communications and contribute to building the VIB and Center community.

• Liaising with the Center’s scientists on their latest scientific findings or achievements, as well as liaising with the different communities in the Center, and feeding this into high-quality content for international audiences.
• Generating high-quality written and visual content for the Center’s website, social media, marketing materials, and Center newsletters;
• Generating high-quality press releases, working with and advising PIs on newsworthy topics, and delivering copy and visuals. You will work with the Communications team at HQ to determine news angles. The distribution of press releases and the maintenance of relationships with the media are managed by the HQ team.
• Actively managing and maintaining the website and social media channels with a focus on broadening global reach;
• Initiating and facilitating scientific outreach and public engagement opportunities;
• Maintaining the Center’s relations with local, national, and international stakeholders, including funding agencies, patient organizations, charity foundations, and scientific collaborators;
• Executing additional tasks as required within the scope of the role and in consultation with the Center’s management.

2. Science Grants support within the Center

You support the Center in its grant writing and grant management activities. In this function, you take initiative in:

• Liaising with the Center’s scientists and the central VIB grants office in scouting funding opportunities.
• Supporting Center’s group leaders in the preparation of grant proposals, with a particular emphasis on EU grants and consortium grants. In your role as science communicator, your support is focused on optimizing effective communication and illustration in grant proposals.
• Supporting Grant coordinators in the organization of annual project and consortium meetings.
• Supporting Grant coordinators in project-associated outreach and communication activities.

3. VIB Communications Strategy and Projects

Together with the VIB HQ Communications team, you take part in conceptualizing and rolling out the VIB Communications strategy

• You feed the VIB Communications team with the detected needs within the Center;
• You actively contribute to centrally developed stories, campaigns, and newsletters by providing story ideas, liaising with Center staff for the development of stories in support of central initiatives, and by reinforcing centrally developed stories via Center channels;
• You work closely with the HQ team about the development and distribution of press releases.
• You take interest in the Center’s scientific activities and take initiative in following the scientific achievements of Center’s scientists.
• You attend and actively contribute to team meetings, brainstorms, and training.

Your profile

• You are a life-scientist who discovered that your superpower is not only doing great science—but also helping others see why science matters.
• You enjoy turning complex results into crisp stories, visuals, and messages that work for peers, funders, and broader audiences.
• You’re energized by variety: one day shaping a web story or newsletter item, the next helping a PI sharpen the narrative and figures of a consortium proposal, and another day coordinating an event that strengthens the Center community.
• You combine scientific credibility with excellent writing, strong judgement, and calm project coordination—becoming a trusted partner for both researchers and central support teams.
• You invest in your own development by keeping up-to-date with current and future trends and developments within your field so that you continue to grow, improve your skills, and remain top-notch within your field of expertise, and as such are prepared for current and future challenges.
• You have excellent communication skills in English

Our offer

• Full‑time, indefinite contract with a competitive salary and benefits package
• A collaborative and international research environment at a top-notch mission-driven research institute
• Contribute to high-impact research topics
• Collaborate with highly motivated colleagues across science and support functions
• Work location at the center in Brussels (+-70%), with occasional travel to HQ in Ghent (+-10%) and option to work from home (up to 20%, when the nature of the work allows)
• Starting date: as soon as possible

How to apply

Please apply via the VIB online career portal (https://jobs.vib.be/apply/135143) with your CV and motivation letter.

Applications will be reviewed until a suitable candidate has been identified. In case of questions, don't hesitate to reach out to recruiting@vib.be .

ABOUT VIB

VIB is a leading, internationally recognized life sciences research institute working closely together with Belgian universities, with research centers in Ghent, Leuven, Antwerp, and Brussels. With a community of more than 2,000 researchers and staff members, we are dedicated to advancing groundbreaking research in biotech that improves the health of both people and planet. Our entrepreneurial mindset and strong drive for innovation ensures that scientific breakthroughs extend beyond the lab and are translated into real-world applications with meaningful societal impact.

https://vib.be/en

https://vib.be/en/research-and-impact/research-centers/center-structural-biology