Postdoctoral Researcher in Experimental Neuroscience and Neural Tissue Analysis

Universidad Nebrija; España; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Universidad Nebrija's Brain and Behaviour group is inviting applications for a full-time Post doctoral Researcher in experimental neuroscience, focusing on neural tissue processing, histology and cell quantification. The role is based on-site at the Neuroscience Laboratory in Madrid and involves hands-on laboratory work.

You will work in a multidisciplinary team, apply immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence and image analysis with ImageJ/Fiji, and contribute to publications, conferences and

Qualifications

• The core requirement is a PhD in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in neural tissue processing and histological analysis.
• Practical expertise in cryostat sectioning and paraffin embedding/sectioning.
• Experience in immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence protocol development and troubleshooting.
• Experience in microscopy and assessment of histological prep quality.
• Proficiency in quantitative analysis of histology and fluorescence images using ImageJ/Fiji.
• Ability to develop analytical tools and biomarkers criteria, manage large datasets.
• Strong statistics knowledge for experimental research, with appropriate tests/models.
• Ability to independently design, conduct and optimise protocols.
• Strong organisational skills and teamwork in multidisciplinary settings.
• Experience in scientific publishing or research projects.
• Good command of English, CEFR B2+ preferred.

Responsibilities

• Process and analyse neural tissue with cryostat and paraffin methods.
• Develop and optimise immunohistochemistry/immunofluorescence protocols.
• Prepare samples and acquire images using bright-field and fluorescence microscopy.
• Perform quantitative image analysis using ImageJ/Fiji.
• Develop/adapt image analysis tools to improve automation and reproducibility.
• Organise datasets and conduct statistical analyses and interpretation.
• Contribute to experimental design and implementation.
• Prepare findings for publications, conferences, and proposals.
• Collaborate with researchers across disciplines.

Skills

Neural tissue processing

Cryostat sectioning

Paraffin embedding & sectioning

Immunohistochemistry

Immunofluorescence

Bright-field & fluorescence microscopy

ImageJ/Fiji analysis

Statistical analysis in experimental研究

Independent experimental design

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Scientific publishing / research proj.

English proficiency CEFR B2+

Education

PhD in Biology/Biotechnology/Biochemistry/Neuroscience/Biomedical Sciences or related

Tools

ImageJ/Fiji

Western blotting

RT-qPCR

Job description

Organisation/Company Universidad Nebrija Department Human Resources Research Field Neurosciences » Neurobiology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 15 Dec 2026 - 15:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Permanent Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The Brain and Behaviour research group at Universidad Nebrija invites applications for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher position in experimental neuroscience, with a particular focus on neural tissue processing, histological analysis and cell quantification.

The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary research environment and contribute to experimental projects exploring neurobiological mechanisms, behaviour and brain health. The position is primarily laboratory-based and requires practical expertise in frozen and paraffin-embedded tissue sectioning, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence protocol optimisation, microscopy and quantitative image analysis.

The position will be based on site at the Neuroscience Laboratory, La Berzosa Campus, Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid, Spain.

Main responsibilities

• Process and analyse neural tissue, including cryostat sectioning and paraffin embedding and sectioning.
• Develop, optimise and implement immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence protocols.
• Prepare samples and acquire images using bright-field and fluorescence microscopy.
• Perform quantitative image analysis using ImageJ/Fiji.
• Develop and adapt image analysis tools and macros to improve automation, reproducibility and efficiency.
• Organise experimental datasets and conduct statistical analyses and interpretation.
• Contribute to experimental design and implementation.
• Prepare research findings for scientific publications, conferences and research proposals.
• Collaborate with researchers from different disciplines within the group.

• A PhD in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated practical experience in neural tissue processing, cryostat sectioning, and paraffin embedding and sectioning.
• Experience in developing and optimising immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence protocols, including troubleshooting and quality assessment.
• Experience in bright-field and fluorescence microscopy.
• Proficiency in quantitative histological and fluorescence image analysis using ImageJ/Fiji, including the development or adaptation of analysis macros.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience in statistics applied to experimental research, including the selection of appropriate statistical tests and models.
• Ability to organise and manage large histological datasets and establish reproducible biomarker quantification criteria.
• Ability to design and conduct experiments independently and work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple experiments and tasks.
• A good command of English, preferably at CEFR level B2 or above.
• Experience in scientific publishing and/or participation in research projects.

Experience and training in laboratory animal handling, experimental procedures and biological sample collection will be valued, particularly relevant certification for functions A-C and D-E.

Experience in Western blotting, RT-qPCR, primer design, nucleic acid and protein extraction, and molecular biomarker analysis will also be considered an asset.

Animal experimentation, molecular biology and biochemistry skills are complementary to the core profile. Specific competencies may be acquired or further developed during the appointment through institutional training and established procedures.

Employment conditions and career development

The initial full-time appointment will run until August 2027. The position offers a prospective tenure-track pathway towards a permanent, full-time appointment, subject to progress and achievement of agreed objectives.

The University will support the successful candidate’s academic and research career development, including the pursuit of relevant academic accreditations. The role provides opportunities to contribute to national and international research projects, develop new methodologies and research directions, and participate in scientific publications, conferences and funding applications.

Requirements

Research Field Neurosciences » Neurobiology

Skills/Qualifications

• A PhD in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences or a closely related discipline.
• Demonstrated experience in experimental research involving neural tissue processing and histological analysis.
• Practical expertise in cryostat sectioning, paraffin embedding and sectioning.
• Experience in developing, optimising and troubleshooting immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence protocols.
• Experience in sample preparation, bright-field and fluorescence microscopy, and assessment of histological preparation quality.
• Proficiency in quantitative analysis of histological and fluorescence images using ImageJ/Fiji.
• Ability to develop, adapt and optimise image analysis tools and macros, establish reproducible biomarker quantification criteria, and manage large datasets.
• Strong knowledge and practical experience in statistics applied to experimental research, including the selection of appropriate statistical tests and models, data visualisation and interpretation.
• Ability to independently design, conduct and optimise experimental protocols.
• Strong organisational skills and ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience in scientific publishing and/or participation in research projects.
• Good command of English, preferably at CEFR level B2 or above.

Specific Requirements

The position requires full-time, on-site work at the Neuroscience Laboratory, La Berzosa Campus, Universidad Nebrija, in Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid, Spain.

The core requirement is practical expertise in experimental neuroscience, particularly neural tissue processing, histological techniques, quantitative image analysis and statistical analysis.

The following complementary skills will be considered an asset:

• Training and experience in laboratory animal handling, experimental procedures and biological sample collection, including relevant certification for functions A-C and D-E.
• Experience in Western blotting, RT-qPCR, primer design, nucleic acid and protein extraction and processing, and molecular biomarker analysis.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Languages SPANISH Level Good

Research Field Neurosciences » Neurobiology

Additional Information

• Full-time appointment until August 2027.
• Prospect of continuity through a tenure-track pathway towards a permanent, full-time position, subject to progress and achievement of agreed objectives.
• Integration into an established multidisciplinary research group in experimental and translational neuroscience.
• Institutional support for academic and research career development, including the pursuit of relevant academic accreditations.
• Participation in national and international research projects, scientific publications, conferences and funding applications.
• Opportunities to develop and lead new methodologies and research directions.
• Training and development opportunities in complementary areas, including molecular biology, biochemistry and laboratory animal experimentation.

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must hold a PhD in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Neuroscience, Biomedical Sciences or a closely related discipline.

Candidates must demonstrate practical experience in neural tissue processing, cryostat and paraffin sectioning, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence, bright-field and fluorescence microscopy, and quantitative image analysis using ImageJ/Fiji.

Strong competence in statistics applied to experimental research, the ability to conduct research independently, and experience in scientific publishing and/or research projects are required.

A good command of English is required, preferably at CEFR level B2 or above. Applicants must be available to work full-time and on site at La Berzosa Campus in Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid, Spain.

Experience in animal experimentation, molecular biology and biochemistry will be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional comments

The position is primarily experimental, with a focus on neural tissue processing and quantitative histological analysis.

Complementary skills in animal experimentation, molecular biology and biochemistry may be acquired or further developed during the appointment through institutional training and established procedures.

The initial appointment will run until August 2027. Any subsequent permanent appointment through the proposed tenure-track pathway will be subject to progress and achievement of agreed objectives; it is not automatic.