Postdoc – Epimutational lineage tracing in AML and pre-AML

Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST); Barcelona; Presencial; EUR 50.000 - 70.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading research institute in Barcelona is seeking a motivated postdoc to work on clonal evolution in blood formation, preferably with a background in computational biology. The successful candidate will engage in projects related to pre-leukemia and AML while collaborating with a diverse scientific team. Competitive salary and supportive work environment offered.

Servicios

Professional career development opportunities

Flexible working hours

Diverse and inclusive environment

Formación

• Must hold a PhD or Medical Doctorate with research experience.
• Strong experience in computational data analysis and familiarity with R, Python.
• Published or pre-printed at least one primary research paper.

Responsabilidades

• Develop a project on clonal evolution in pre-AML or AML.
• Lead computational data analysis and contribute to experimental data generation.
• Interact with wet-lab and computational scientists.

Conocimientos

Computational data analysis

R

Python

Interest in blood formation

Interest in translational science

Educación

PhD in computational biology, genomics, stem cell biology, hematology

Medical Doctorate

Herramientas

Flow cytometry

Single cell genomics protocols

Descripción del empleo

The Institute

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the ‘HR Excellence in Research’ (https://www.crg.eu/en/content/careers/hr-excellence-research) Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute’s commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers ( https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/european-charter) and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code) ( https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code).

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy:

https://www.crg.eu/sites/default/files/crg/crg_recruitment_policy.pdf

The role

The Single Cell and Synthetic Genomics of Blood Formation lab (PI: Lars Velten) at CRG Barcelona is looking for a motivated postdoc with experience in computational biology and an intertest in translational science. Candidates with a background in medicine are also encouraged to apply.

Blood formation is an essential, biomedically highly relevant, and complex process of cellular differentiation. Our group studies adult hematopoiesis using computational biology, single cell genomics and genetic screens. We cover both basic science projects on gene regulation in HSCs (e.g. Frömel et al., Cell 2025), and more translational projects in the context of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and pre‑leukemia (e.g. Beneyto‑Calabuig et al., Cell Stem Cell 2023). Recently, we have developed EPI‑Clone, a unique method to identify and characterize expanded stem cell clones independently of driver mutations and during physiological ageing (Scherer et al., Nature 2025). EPI‑Clone enables a new look at blood clonality and has wide applications in studies of ageing, pre‑leukemia, leukemia, and beyond. Our publication on EPI‑Clone was widely covered by the popular press (Le Monde, Financial Times, El País and others).

The successful candidate will work on applications of EPI‑Clone to pre‑AML and AML. Specifically, the hypothesis is that progression risk of pre‑AML, as well as relapse risk of AML, can be predicted from properties of (pre‑)leukemic clones. We count with a strong network of clinical collaborators for this project (University Clinics Heidelberg, TU Munich, Charité Berlin, IDIBAPS/Hospital Clinic, Hospital de St. Pau) and have access to unique and well characterised AML and pre‑AML patient cohorts.

In your new role, you will:

• Develop a project on clonal evolution in pre‑AML or AML
• Build on the strong knowledge of the group in single cell and clonal analyses (EPI‑Clone)
• Lead computational data analysis
• Contribute to experimental data generation, initially hands‑on and with a perspective to in the mid‑term supervise a junior technician
• Interact closely with both wet‑lab and computational scientists from the group
• Serve as senior member of the team co‑defining its translational strategy

About the lab

This interdisciplinary group investigates the biology of hematopoietic stem cells using a combination of single cell genomics, genetic screens, and computational biology. We strive to develop novel genomic and bioinformatic tools to answer longstanding questions in the field. We cover two main research lines, a) Gene regulation in healthy haematopoiesis) and b) Clonal function in ageing and disease. The lab has been established in January 2020 and currently consists of seven members: Three PhD students, two postdocs and two senior technicians. We have received funding from the European Commission, the Spanish and German government, the Spanish Association Against Cancer and the European Hematology Association.

Whom would we like to hire?

Professional experience

Must Have

• You hold a PhD in a relevant field (computational biology, genomics, stem cell biology, hematology etc.), or, alternatively, you hold a Medical Doctorate and have experience in research with a computational component
• You have strong experience in computational data analysis and strong familiarity with R, python or related languages
• Strong interest in the biology of blood formation and blood cancer
• Strong interest in working in a translational setting
• You have demonstrated your ability to lead a challenging research project.
• You have published or pre‑printed at least one primary research paper as first or co‑first author
• You have some experience in experimental work

Desirable but not required / Nice to have

• A strong foundation in machine learning and statistics
• You are experienced with flow cytometry and/or single cell genomics protocols

Education and training

A PhD in a relevant field (computational biology, genomics, stem cell biology, hematology, biotechnology etc.), or a Medical Doctorate

Languages

• You are proficient in English
• Spanish or German of advantage, but not required

Technical skills

• Genomics data analysis
• R (or python)
• Basic laboratory skills

Competences

• Success‑driven
• Strong academic writing skills
• Strong communication skills
• Pro‑active in working with external collaborators
• Ability to work as part of a team

The Offer – Working Conditions

• Contract duration: Technical and scientific activities contract linked to the contract (estimated duration until 31.8.2027, with possibility of extension until 5 years).
• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales.
• Target start date: February 1, 2026 (flexible)

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state‑of‑the‑art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section. ( https://www.crg.eu/en/content/training).

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.

Application Procedure

• A motivation letter addressed to Dr Lars Velten.
• A complete CV including contact details.
• Contact details of two referees.

All applications must be addressed to Dr. Lars Velten and be submitted online on the CRG Career site – http://www.crg.eu/en/content/careers/job-opportunities

Selection Process

• Pre‑selection: The pre‑selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected on the candidates CVS. It will be merit‑based.
• Interview: Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and a selection panel if required.
• Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is identified the People department will send a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary, working conditions, among other important details.

Deadline

Please submit your application by December 20, 2025.

Suggestions

The CRG believes in ongoing improvement and promotes a culture of feedback. This is one of the reasons we have in place, at your disposal as a candidate, a mechanism to gather your suggestions/complaints concerning your candidate experience in our recruitment processes. Your feedback really matters to us in our aim at creating a positive candidate journey. You can make a difference and help us improve by letting us know your suggestions through the following form https://recruitment.crg.eu/webforms/recruitment-contact-form-suggestionscomplaints.