ICARIA (PregMRS study)

Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal); Barcelona; Presencial; EUR 24.000 - 30.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health is seeking a full-time LAB TECHNICIAN for the ICARIA project aimed at improving child health in sub-Saharan Africa. You will be involved in analyzing crucial samples and characterizing pathogens, contributing to significant research impacting child mortality in areas with high malaria burdens. This position offers a unique opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary environment with a significant aim and is set to last for 10 months from July 2025.

Formación

• Previous laboratory experience in microbiology and knowledge of antimicrobial resistance are strong assets.
• Proficiency in Catalan, English, and Spanish required.
• Candidate with initiative and good teamwork skills.

Responsabilidades

• Receive and analyze nasopharyngeal samples as part of the ICARIA project.
• Characterize bacterial isolates and assess their antimicrobial susceptibility.

Conocimientos

Teamwork

Problem resolution

Learning capacity

Previous experience in molecular microbiology

Educación

Previous laboratory experience in the microbiology field

Experience in antimicrobial resistance

Descripción del empleo

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in five programs: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases and Maternal Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

ISGlobal is looking for a a full-time LAB TECHNICIAN who is interested in taking over and managing activities of the project “Improving Child Health through Azithromycin Research for Infants in Africa (ICARIA)”
The ICARIA project, carried out in Sierra Leone, is a large-scale clinical trial which will measure the incremental mortality benefit of administering IPTi plus azithromycin to infants with the goal of contributing to a reduction in child mortality in areas of high malaria and mortality burden in sub-Saharan Africa. ICARIA is a five-year project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and co-funded by La Caixa Foundation is coordinated by ISGlobal. The project evaluates the impact of azithromycin (AZi) plus IPTi with sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (IPTi-SP) administered through the EPI in Sierra Leone on childhood mortality. The potential development of antibiotic resistance, the interactions with routine EPI immunisations, the safety and the impact on the health system of AZi and IPTi-SP administration will be all assessed in this trial.
A potential adverse consequence of the use of AZi could be the increase in carriage of AZi resistant organisms, especially Streptococcus pneumoniae. To assess the effect on gut bacterial composition and resistance, rectal samples will be collected from a randomly selected subsample of study children at recruitment and four weeks after the last dose of AZi/placebo. Following their collection, nasopharyngeal and rectal samples will be placed in cryotubes containing appropriate media and stored at -20ºC/-80ºC until tested. Bacterial colonies will be cultured and identified using non-selective and selective media with antibiotics. Pneumococcal identification will be based on colony morphology and conventional characterization methods. Samples will be collected in Sierra Leone and shipped by ISGlobal to the Subgrantee’s laboratory where the bacterial isolates will be evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibilities and the minimum inhibitory concentrations of the different antibiotics will be determined using the Clinical Breakpoint Tables from EUCAST (The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing).

The activities in which the LAB TECHNICIAN Will be involved related to the Project Will be:
- Receive nasopharyngeal / nipple samples from the PregMRS-ICARIA project in Sierra Leone
- Analyse and characterize the pathogens in the samples and its antimicrobial susceptibility.
The tasks will be developed in the Microbiology Department at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and at the

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The key responsibility of the candidate will be to receive the samples and analyze and characterize the bacterial isolates within the “Improving Child Health through Azithromycin Research for Infants in Africa (ICARIA)” project.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• The duties will consist of ensuring the correct reception of samples (nasopharyngeal / nipple samples from the ICARIA project in Sierra Leone) and the analysis and further analysis and characterization of the pathogens in the samples and its antimicrobial susceptibility.

AUXILIAR TASKS

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder.

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional assessment process.

SKILLS

• Teamwork.
• Problem resolution.
• Learning capacity.
• Previous experience in molecular microbiology.

The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety. The post holder will respect, and be accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous laboratory experience in the microbiology field. Experience in antimicrobial resistance will be highly appreciated.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Candidate with initiative, hard worker and with good teamwork skills.

LANGUAGE LEVEL

• Proficiency in Catalan, English, and Spanish.

CONDITIONS

• Duration: 1st July 2025- 30th April 2026 (10 months)
• Starting date: 1st July 2025
• Contract Type: Full time
• Salary: Technician II B

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must fill in the request form and attach the CV and a Cover Letter. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname.

The receipt of applications will be open until 10th of February 2025.

The interviews could be placed during the reception of candidatures period.

Diverse candidatures are encouraged, that includes: gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed any technical test could be passed. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.