Postdoctoral Researcher and Project Coordinator

Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal); Barcelona; On-site; EUR 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

36 days off per year (23 vacation days

13 personal days

Job summary

ISGlobal seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher and Project Coordinator to drive FLEX4HEALTH across ISGlobal, UMCG and European research infrastructures. You will connect cohort studies with data infrastructures, support the work plan and contribute to training, dissemination and scientific outputs.

You will work within the Barcelona Research Group in Environmental Epidemiology and the Health Analytics Hub, applying data science, biostatistics and privacy-preserving methods to environmental health

Qualifications

• PhD in epidemiology, public health, health data science, bioinformatics, biostatistics, computer science or related discipline.
• Experience in federated health-data analysis or distributed research networks.
• Hands-on with DataSHIELD and/or MOLGENIS/Armadillo; contributions to open-source software valued.
• Experience coordinating scientific activities and engaging stakeholders internationally.
• Strong knowledge of FAIR data, privacy-preserving analysis, GDPR and data governance.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate FLEX4HEALTH implementation across ISGlobal, UMCG and partners.
• Develop governance for MOLGENIS data federation with stakeholders.
• Link cohort studies to European research infrastructures (BBMRI, ELIXIR, EIRENE).
• Coordinate scientific and technical contributions (DataSHIELD, MOLGENIS catalogues, training).
• Monitor progress, risks and reporting to project leadership.
• Contribute to dissemination, final summary and publications.

Skills

Teamwork

Problem solving

Learning capacity

Project management

Scientific coordination

Communication

Open science knowledge

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Excellent writing

Education

PhD in epidemiology, public health, health data science, bioinformatics, biostatistics, computer science

Tools

DataSHIELD

MOLGENIS/Armadillo

R

Python

Git-based workflows

Job description

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

ISGlobal is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher and Project Coordinator to coordinate the scientific, governance and community-building activities of FLEX4HEALTH. The project aims to scale federated health data analysis across Europe by integrating leading health research infrastructures, including BBMRI, ELIXIR and EIRENE, with the open-source MOLGENIS data catalogue and DataSHIELD privacy-preserving analysis platform. Working jointly with UMCG and ISGlobal, the postdoctoral researcher will connect cohort-study and research-infrastructure communities, support implementation of the project work plan and contribute to training, dissemination and scientific outputs.

At ISGlobal, the position will be embedded in the Barcelona Research Group in Environmental Epidemiology (BRGE) and the Health Analytics Hub. The team combines expertise in environmental and life-course epidemiology, exposome science, multi-omics, biostatistics and privacy-preserving analysis of sensitive health data. ISGlobal leads major multi-centre cohort and exposome networks and contributes advanced DataSHIELD analyses, providing a strong environment for interdisciplinary, FAIR-compliant and policy-relevant health research.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate the implementation of FLEX4HEALTH across ISGlobal, UMCG and participating research-infrastructure communities, ensuring alignment with objectives, milestones and deliverables.
• Co-develop and implement the governance framework for the MOLGENIS data federation, including stakeholder roles, decision-making structures and thematic working groups.
• Build links between cohort studies and European research infrastructures such as BBMRI, ELIXIR and EIRENE, as well as relevant EOSC initiatives.
• Coordinate scientific and technical contributions concerning MOLGENIS catalogues, DataSHIELD services, demonstrators and training activities.
• Monitor progress, risks and dependencies and support timely technical and financial reporting to the project leadership.
• Contribute to project dissemination, the final project summary and presentation, and scientific publications on project results and methods.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Organise project meetings, governance working groups and two community conferences, and document decisions and follow-up actions.
• Gather requirements from cohort studies, data holders, research communities and ESFRI operators and translate them into coordinated work plans.
• Support the onboarding of new partners and services and assess whether project tools and workflows are fit for purpose.
• Liaise with the UMCG software engineer and the ISGlobal data scientist developing DataSHIELD analysis packages for omics and imaging.
• Help prepare GitBook-based guidance, webinars and workshops for data owners and researchers using MOLGENIS and DataSHIELD.
• Prepare deliverables, progress reports, presentations, manuscripts and other open-access dissemination materials.
• Represent FLEX4HEALTH at relevant European consortium meetings, workshops and conferences.

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 project management.
• Scientific project coordination and effective management of multiple partners, priorities and deadlines.
• Strong knowledge of federated data architectures, DataSHIELD and MOLGENIS/Armadillo.
• Stakeholder engagement, facilitation and community-building across disciplines and institutions.
• Understanding of open science, FAIR data, metadata standards and responsible governance of sensitive health data.
• Strong analytical, organisational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work independently.
• Ability to collaborate effectively in international and multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent scientific writing, presentation and interpersonal communication skills.

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

• PhD in epidemiology, public health, health data science, bioinformatics, biostatistics, computer science or a related discipline.
• Research experience in federated health-data analysis, multi-centre cohort studies or comparable distributed research networks.
• Hands-on experience with DataSHIELD and/or MOLGENIS/Armadillo; contributions to open-source research software are an asset.Experience coordinating scientific activities and engaging stakeholders in international, multidisciplinary consortia.
• Strong knowledge of FAIR data principles, privacy-preserving analysis, GDPR and data governance in health research.
• Proficiency in R and familiarity with reproducible, Git-based research workflows; knowledge of Python is an asset.
• Track record of scientific writing, presentations and peer-reviewed publications.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Doctoral degree completed by the starting date.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Availability to travel between Barcelona, Groningen and relevant European research-infrastructure meetings and conferences.

LANGUAGE LEVEL

• English: advanced proficiency, both written and spoken.
• Spanish and/or Dutch would be an asset.

CONDITIONS

Contract: Full time. Through February 28, 2028

Salary: According to ISGlobal salary scale

Work-Life Balance: 36 days off per year (23 vacation days + 13 personal days)

Start date: December 2026

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.