Laboratory Technician at the Smart Nano-Bio-Devices Research Group

EURAXESS Ireland; Barcelona; Presencial; EUR 26.000 - 38.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Flexible working arrangements

Visa/permits assistance for foreigners

Paid holidays and parental leave

Descripción de la vacante

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in Barcelona seeks a Laboratory Technician to support a multidisciplinary nano-bio devices team focused on nanomedicine and nanomaterials. You will prepare and characterize organic and inorganic nanoparticles, support drug-loaded formulations, and help maintain laboratory operations.

Responsibilities include analytical method development (HPLC/FPLC), particle characterization (DLS, zeta-potential, UV-Vis, fluorescence), and EM sample prep.

Formación

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Practical experience in synthesis or formulation of organic or inorganic nanoparticles.
• Experience with nanoparticle characterization techniques including DLS, zeta-potential, UV-Vis spectroscopy, or fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Experience with chromatographic techniques, particularly HPLC (FPLC valued).
• Understanding of pharmaceutical formulation and characterization including drug loading and release.

Responsabilidades

• Synthesis and formulation of organic and inorganic micro- and nanoparticles.
• Support researchers and students in preparation, optimization, and scale-up of nanoparticle formulations.
• Pharmaceutical characterization of nanoformulations, including drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, and stability.
• Development and implementation of analytical methods using HPLC and FPLC.
• Physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles using DLS, zeta-potential, UV-Vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy.
• Preparation of samples for electron microscopy and SEM/TEM characterization.
• Maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and QC of analytical equipment.
• Organizing laboratory spaces and coordinating reagent, consumable, and equipment orders.
• Training new group members in procedures, GLP, and safety regulations.

Conocimientos

Nanoparticle synthesis

Nanoparticle formulation

Analytical characterization

HPLC analysis

FPLC

DLS

Zeta-potential analysis

UV-Vis spectroscopy

Electron microscopy prep

Laboratory maintenance

Documentation and SOPs

Educación

Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry or related

Master’s degree valued

Herramientas

HPLC

FPLC

DLS

UV-Vis

Fluorescence spectroscopy

SEM/TEM sample preparation

Rheology (optional)

Descripción del empleo

Institute for bioengineering of Catalonia, IBEC

Organisation/Company Institute for bioengineering of Catalonia, IBEC Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Bachelor Positions Application Deadline 16 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Introduction to the vacant position:

The Smart Nano-Bio-Devices ResearchGroup is looking for an Laboratory Technician to support the activities of a multidisciplinary research group working in nanomedicine, nanomaterials, and biomedical applications.

The successful candidate will contribute to the preparation and characterization of organic and inorganic micro- and nanoparticles, including drug-loaded formulations. The position will involve physicochemical and pharmaceutical characterization of nanomotors.

The technician will also support the daily operation of the laboratory, maintain selected instruments, train new users, and coordinate laboratory organization and safety procedures.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

• Synthesis and formulation of organic and inorganic micro- and nanoparticles, including polymeric, silica-based, metallic, and other nanomaterial systems.
• Support researchers, collaborators and students in the preparation, optimization, and scale-up of nanoparticle formulations.
• Pharmaceutical characterization of nanoformulations, including:
• Drug-loading and encapsulation-efficiency studies.
• Drug-release and stability profiles.
• Quantification of active compounds and formulation components.
• Development and implementation of analytical methods using HPLC and FPLC.
• Physicochemical characterization of nanoparticles using techniques such as DLS, zeta-potential analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, and related analytical methods.
• Preparation of samples for electron microscopy and support with SEM and TEM characterization.
• Performance or coordination of complementary characterization techniques, such as rheology, when required.
• Maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and routine quality control of analytical and characterization equipment.
• Responsibility for selected laboratory instruments according to the candidate’s technical expertise.
• Preparation and maintenance of standard operating procedures, equipment records, protocols, inventories, and experimental documentation.
• Organization of laboratory spaces and coordination of reagent, consumable, and equipment orders with other technicians and the Group Leader.
• Management of equipment reservation calendars and shared laboratory resources.
• Training of new group members in laboratory procedures, equipment operation, good laboratory practices, and safety regulations.
• Coordination of the onboarding and checkout procedures for group members.
• Management of the group’s laboratory spaces, shared computers, and associated technical resources.
• Acting as a contact point between researchers and external suppliers, technical services, equipment-maintenance providers, and relevant IBEC departments, including IT, Core Facilities, Infrastructure and Facilities, Health and Safety, Finance, Administration, and Communications.
• Supporting compliance with institutional health and safety requirements and contributing to a safe, well-organized, and efficient laboratory environment.

Requirements for candidates:

• Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmacy, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Biomedical Sciences, Chemical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• A relevant master’s degree will be highly valued.
• Practical experience in the synthesis or formulation of organic or inorganic nanoparticles, such as polymeric nanoparticles, lipid-based formulations, silica nanoparticles, or metallic nanoparticles.
• Experience in nanoparticle characterization using techniques such as DLS, zeta-potential analysis, UV-Vis spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, or related methods.
• Experience with chromatographic techniques, particularly HPLC. Experience with FPLC will also be highly valued.
• Understanding of pharmaceutical formulation and characterization, including drug loading, encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics, formulation stability, and quantitative analysis.
• Ability to work accurately, independently, and in accordance with established protocols.
• Strong organizational, documentation, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary and multicultural research teams.

High level of spoken and written English.

Advantageous:

• Previous experience as a Research or Laboratory Technician supporting multiple researchers in an international research environment.
• Experience in the development, validation, or routine application of HPLC analytical methods.
• Experience with FPLC, including protein or enzyme purification and characterization.
• Experience with electron microscopy techniques, particularly SEM and TEM, including sample preparation.
• Experience in drug-delivery systems, nanomedicine, pharmaceutical technology, or formulation science.
• Experience in stability studies and quality-control procedures.
• Experience with cell culture and basic in vitro biological assays.
• Familiarity with good laboratory practices, risk assessment, chemical safety, and laboratory-quality documentation.
• Experience with rheological characterization of materials, hydrogels, biological fluids, or nanoparticle formulations.

Experience with 3D printing or microfabrication techniques.

Competencies and Skills:

We value not only technical expertise but also the demonstration of core competencies such as Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration, Commitment, Proactivity, Integrity, and Critical and Analytical Thinking.

We Offer:

• Number of available positions: 1
• Working conditions:
  • Full-time 1 year open-ended contract for scientific and technical activities, linked to the project and budget durationMeasures to reconcile work and family life (flexible remuneration, parental leave, flexible schedule working hours, 23 working days of paid holidays, 9 leave days for personal matters, among others).
• IBEC ensures equality of access to professional development opportunities irrespective of employment status, length at IBEC or other factors. The IBEC’s yearly training catalogue offers a wide range of training in technical and transferable skills including mobility grants and a Mentoring programme for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers.
• Stimulating, interdisciplinary research and high-quality international scientific environment.
• Induction programme to facilitate incorporation at IBEC and additional support is provided for foreigners to obtain Visa-working permit and to install in Barcelona.

IBEC is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the Open, Transparent and Merit based Recruitment principles (OTM-R) https://ibecbarcelona.eu/careers-at-ibec/jobs/

IBEC´s Commitment on equal opportunity, diversity, and Inclusion:

Our strength and excellence as an international transdisciplinary Research Institute are based on diversity. Being an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to diversity and inclusion, so that we support employees irrespective of their gender, nationality, religion, disabilities, age, sexual identity or cultural and socioeconomic background.

For candidates with children that come from outside Barcelona, we offer babysitting services during the interview, so you don’t have to worry about anything else than doing a good interview. Contact us if you are interested in this service.

In categories where women are underrepresented, such as Group Leader positions, and with the aim of ensuring gender balance in recruitment processes, women candidates must represent at least 50% of those interviewed for Junior-level positions and 40% for Senior-level positions, provided they have CVs comparable to those of male candidates. At the end of the evaluation process, in cases of equal merit, preference will be given to women candidates.

IBEC, as a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), will consider, especially for early-stage investigators, much more the scientific content of research outputs, than publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which it were published.

Protection of personal data:

IBEC guarantees that candidates' personal data are processed in accordance with the requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Law 3/2018 on Data Protection.

Personal data will be processed solely for the purposes of the selection process.

Who we are?

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, IBEC is an interdisciplinary research center focused on Bioengineering and Nanomedicine based in Barcelona. IBEC is one of the top research institutions named as a Severo Ochoa Research Centre by the Ministry of Science, Universities and Innovation, which recognizes excellence at the highest international level in terms of research, training, human resources, outreach and technology transfer.

IBEC's mission is to develop international high-quality interdisciplinary research that, while creating knowledge, contributes to making a better quality of life, improving health and creating wealth. A close link with key universities, reference hospitals and corporations, are assets that facilitate achieving the mission.

IBEC was established in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Autonomous Government of Catalonia), the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC).

IBEC is located within the Barcelona Science Park and UPC Besós Campus, with an annual budget of 21 Mio€; 4.400 square meters of facilities; 25 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 450 people from 40 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu