Postdoctoral Position in Protein Design and Synthetic Biology for Brain Delivery

Institut Quimic Sarria (IQS) – Universitat Ramon Llull; España; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Training opportunities and conferences

Mentorship and team support

PhD/MSc supervision opportunities

Job summary

We are seeking postdoctoral candidates to join the ChemSynBio team at IQS – Ramon Llull University, Barcelona, to develop next-generation biomedical tools and targeted therapies for brain diseases. The role involves independent project development, collaboration, and supervision of students within a stimulating research environment.

Applicants should have a PhD in life sciences, strong English communication, and a track record of high-impact publications, with willingness for international

Qualifications

• Valuable experience in bioinformatics, protein design, protein engineering, chemical biology, synthetic biology, cell biology and animal handling.
• Proactivity, creativity, and strong motivation to pursue and publish high-impact research.
• Excellent teamwork abilities and communication skills in English.
• Strong publication record and international mobility.

Responsibilities

• Develop a project and contribute to other lab projects.
• Close collaboration with other researchers.
• Contribute to an inspiring atmosphere and engage in team activities.
• Student supervision and preparation of scientific publications.
• Prepare competitive applications for postdoctoral fellowships.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Protein design

Protein engineering

Chemical biology

Synthetic biology

Cell biology

Animal handling

Education

PhD in life sciences

Job description

Offer Description

We are seeking postdoctoral candidates passionate about synthetic biology and protein design to join our dynamic ChemSynBio team at IQS - Ramon Llull University in Barcelona. At ChemSynBio ( www.chemsynbio.iqs.edu ), we harness chemical and synthetic biology to create protein therapeutics and biomedical tools, especially addressing brain tumors.

The successful candidate will contribute to the development of next-generation biomedical tools and/or targeted therapies for brain diseases within a collaborative and stimulating research environment.

Research lines

Brain cancers remain among the deadliest malignancies, largely because therapeutic molecules fail to reach their targets in the brain and often lack sufficient selectivity for tumor cells. Our laboratory is tackling these challenges through two complementary research programs that bridge fundamental and translational science: engineering new strategies to understand and enhance the transport of biologics across the blood-brain barrier, and developing protein and peptide therapeutics that are activated specifically within diseased tissues to probe the tumor microenvironment and exploit its unique features for selective targeting. To achieve this, we integrate computational protein design, bioinformatics, chemical biology, synthetic biology, and experimental validation in cellular and animal models. This work is supported by the European Research Council (ERC), Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI), and Fundació “la Caixa”.

Tasks

• Develop a project and contribute to other lab projects.
• Close collaboration with other researchers.
• Contribution to an inspiring atmosphere and engagement in team activities.
• Student supervision and preparation of scientific publications.
• Prepare competitive applications for postdoctoral fellowships.

Conditions

• The position is initially funded for two years, with the expectation that the candidate will apply for prestigious postdoctoral fellowships. The group will provide active mentoring and support throughout the process.
• Training opportunities and international conference attendance.
• Space for creativity, with dedicated mentorship and team support.
• Possibility to supervise PhD and MSc students.

PhD degree in a degree related with life sciences.

Specific Requirements

• Valuable experience - not everything is expected: bioinformatics, protein design, protein engineering, chemical biology, synthetic biology, cell biology, animal handling.
• Proactivity, creativity, and strong motivation to pursue & publish high impact research.
• Excellent teamwork abilities and communication skills in English.
• Strong publication record and international mobility.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Biological sciences » BiologyChemistry » BiochemistryBiological sciences » OtherEngineering » Biomedical engineering

Additional Information

• Training opportunities and international conference attendance.
• Space for creativity, with dedicated mentorship and team support.
• Possibility to supervise PhD and MSc students.

Eligibility criteria

Applications should include:

• Motivation letter explaining why you would be a good fit for the position and team.
• Two reference letters or contact details of two referees.

Selection process

Stage 1: Shortlisting of candidates based on the documentation provided.
Stage 2: Interview with the PI.
Stage 3: Final interview with the Selection Committee.

Additional comments

We are an equal opportunity employer. We promote equality and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law. We strongly welcome applications from female candidates as they are currently under-represented at this level in this field of knowledge in our School.

We also promote scientific and technological knowledge, business transformation and societal progress. At IQS we look for professionals committed to both these values.

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Institut Quimic Sarria (IQS) – Universitat Ramon Llull Country Spain State/Province Barcelona City Barcelona Postal Code 08017 Street Via Augusta, 390 Geofield