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iGEM KU Leuven 2024 Application
What is iGEM?
iGEM or international Genetically Engineered Machine is the world’s largest and most prestigious competition in the field of synthetic biology. Each year, 400+ university teams participate to combat global problems using synthetic biology. Besides the scientific research, teams are encouraged to thoroughly explore the problem they’re solving, engage their project stakeholders and educate local and global communities about synthetic biology. The iGEM KU Leuven team is an international and interdisciplinary team of students, who will work closely together with industry and academic experts to develop their own application. The final results will be presented for an international jury during the annual Giant Jamboree in Paris.
Benefits
- Work in an international and interdisciplinary team
- Spawn new ideas and work on a self-chosen project
- Interact with professors, sponsors, stakeholders, industrial partners etc.
- Collaborate with other iGEM teams
- Embark on new challenges, like developing a business plan, finding new sponsors, creating educational programs, etc.
- Boost your soft and hard skills
- Present your work during the annual five-day Giant Jamboree in Paris.
Wanted profiles
You are a bachelor or master student at KU Leuven or KU Leuven association with a scientific interest or background who is eager to work in a multidisciplinary team of students. It does not matter if you're a business student, if you study computer science or if you're studying for a STEM degree; we welcome everyone! Most of all, you need an entrepreneurial mindset and do not shy away from taking initiative. You are ready to translate your theoretical knowledge into practical experience and are willing to take on this challenge.
Roles in our Team
Throughout the project, the team is usually divided up into multiple sub-teams: Dry lab, Wet lab, Human Practices, PR and Communications, Wiki, Design, Legal and Finance. During the application process, you will be asked to indicate your preferred sub-team. The tasks listed below give a general indication of your tasks for the project duration. Keep in mind that collaborations between various sub-teams are possible and even necessary for a successful, cohesive iGEM project, hence you will not be limited to the tasks listed under a given position offer. If you would like to be the manager of a certain subteam, please specify this in the application form. Keep in mind that when applying for a manager position, you are the final responsible for that specific project part.
Team Leader
- Responsible for the team’s participation in iGEM competition: communicating with the iGEM organization, keeping track of the administrative documents, keeping track of deadlines, etc.
- Keeping track of activities within the team; overview of project progression and accomplishments and redirecting where necessary
- People management of your team (motivating, coaching and solving internal problems)
- Organizing team meetings, meetings with academic and industry experts and meetings with potential sponsors (in close collaboration with the finance team)
Dry Lab
- Mathematical modelling of different concepts within the project
- Developing and building new hardware or software based on the project as part of the prototype and proof-of-concept
- Data and statistical analysis of results
- Bio-informatics and computation modelling
- Knowledge in two or more of the following: Matlab, CAD, Python, HTML, CSS, Javascript, Electronics
Wet Lab
- Planning experiments of wet lab, preparing protocols, designing genetic circuits/plasmids
- Coordinating safety in- and outside the lab, controlling good laboratory behaviour and ensuring clean working environments
- Studying literature to find new innovative concepts, established protocols, etc.
- Working together with lab assistants, PhD students, other academic groups, etc.
- Interpreting and analyzing results from the wet lab and coordinating with dry lab members for the modelling of these results
- keeping track of stock, updating the logbook, etc.
- Ordering of (biological) materials
Legal & Financial
Finance
- Budgeting and bookkeeping
- Responsible for acquiring financial resources through sponsors, grants, crowdfunding, etc.
- Networking with industrial, governmental and academic partners and maintaining corporate relationships with stakeholders
Legal
- Responsible for the legal activities regarding the iGEM Leuven non-profit organization
- Drafting contracts for future sponsors and setting up collaborations with industrial partners
- Responsible for GDPR
PR & Communications
- Monitor publicity for the iGEM team through various channels
- Maintaining and updating the website and social media
- Increasing the visibility of the team and sponsors (articles, scientific & industry events, promotional videos, press, etc.)
- Organizing annual events (meet-ups, partner events, recruitment events, etc
- Design ofgraphics for the communications team
- Design of posters, flyers, banners, merchandise, etc.
- Design of project logoDesign of scientific poster and presentation for the Giant Jamboree
- Skilled in Adobe (Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.)
Integrated Human Practices
- Exploring the project’s social relevancy by contacting and collaborating with stakeholders on all levels
- Collaborating with other iGEM teams
- Setting up educational activities (STEM workshops, conferences, professional fairs)
- Interacting with schools, government and industry to promote the field of STEM.
- Interacting with stakeholders, experts and partners to gather information to strengthen your project.
Wiki
- Building a wiki for the team: this is a website to show the world and the judges what your project is about.
- Web developement: building a website using HTML, CSS, Bootstrap and JavaScript.
- Writing about the different aspects of the project in an appealing way.
- Designing the look of the website and making it accessible to all.
Biosafety
- Develop the team's strategy on biosafety and ethics
- Watch over all activities to align with local standards and guidelines
