He started his career as an enzymologist but the Steyaertlab is best known for pioneering work on (engineered) nanobodies for applications in structural biology, omics and drug design.

[16][17] Steyaert also applies nanobodies as versatile tools for investigating GPCR dynamics in vitro and inside cells,[18][19] and for improved drug discovery.

In 2016 he received The Prous Institute-Overton and Meyer Award for New Technologies in Drug Discovery[24] for his pioneering work in the field of nanobody-enabled structural biology.

From 2019 onwards, Jan Steyaert is a Web of Science Highly Cited Researcher in the field of Biology and Biochemistry.

In 2022 he won the Brandeis’ 24th Jacob and Louise Gabbay Award in Biotechnology and Medicine in recognition of his contributions to structural biology through the development of Camelid single-domain antibodies or nanobodies.