Postdoctoral Researcher - Nanomedicine Group

Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia; Bellaterra; Presencial; EUR 30.000 - 50.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

A leading research center in nanotechnology is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher for their Nanomedicine Group. The role involves synthesizing and functionalizing nanoparticles for innovative therapeutic applications in cancer research. Candidates must possess a PhD in chemistry or a related field and experience with physicochemical characterization and in vitro techniques. This position offers a full-time 6-month contract with potential extension in Bellaterra, Spain, amidst a supportive international environment.

Servicios

28 holidays per year

Flexible compensation plan

Training activities

Life Insurance

Flexible work schedules

Formación

• PhD in relevant field required.
• Experience in nanoparticle synthesis and functionalisation.
• Familiarity with in vitro cancer research techniques.

Responsabilidades

• Synthesize and functionalize liposome nanoparticles.
• Use physicochemical characterization techniques for research.
• Coordinate studies involving preclinical disease models.

Conocimientos

Synthesis and functionalisation of nanoparticles

Experience with physicochemical characterisation tools

In vitro techniques for cancer research

Excellent communication skills

Organisational and time-management skills

Ability to work independently

Teamwork skills

Educación

PhD in chemistry, materials science, pharmacy, biomedicine, or biotechnology

Herramientas

Raman spectroscopy

AFM

Electron microscopy

Flow cytometry

Descripción del empleo

As a flagship research center in nanoscience and nanotechnology, our mission is to open and explore new frontiers of knowledge at the nanoscale, and bring value to society in the form of new understanding, capabilities and innovation, while inspiring and providing broad training to the next generations of researchers. Our values are Commitment, Collaboration and Transformation.

Our research lines focus on the newly-discovered physical and chemical properties that arise from the behaviour of matter at the nanoscale. ICN2 has been awarded with the Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence distinction for three consecutive periods (2014-2018, 2018-2022 and 2023-2026). ICN2 comprises 20 Research Groups, 7 Technical Development and Support Units and Facilities, and 2 Research Platforms, covering different areas of nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Job title

Postdoctoral Researcher

Research area or group: Nanomedicine Group

Description of Group / Project

The Nanomedicine Lab is dedicated to the development of nanomaterials and devices for therapeutic and diagnostics applications. Its aim is the development of novel, safe and effective therapeutics based on nanoscale components and their combinations, used as either the 'drug' or the 'transport system'. Such components include DNA, RNA, viruses, stem cells, radionuclides, liposomes, graphene, 2D-heterostructures, carbon nanotubes and other nanomaterials (quantum dots, fullerenes, carbon nanohorns).

The Nanomedicine Lab has strong links with the Institute of Neurosciences, Schoool of Medicine, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, and the Center for Nanotechnology in Medicine at the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health of The University of Manchester in the United Kingdom.

Main Tasks and responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Researcher will undertake research focusing on the engineering of liposome nanoparticle-based systems (LNs) for glioblastoma (GBM) therapy in collaboration with other investigators within the Nanomedicine Lab, and other collaborative labs. Investigations for the analysis of physicochemical, morphological and / or thermal properties after LNs fabrication will be performed. The Postdoctoral Researcher will also be using routinely in vitro techniques that can be applied to cancer research (e.g. mammalian cell cultures, spheroids, cell viability assays and cellular internalisation and trafficking studies) using a variety of microscopic techniques (such as fluorescence confocal microscopy) and flow cytometry.

The Postdoctoral Researcher will be expected to interact effectively with researchers from a range of different disciplines to contribute to the programme of research, particularly in the collaborative execution and management of studies using LNs.

Key Responsibilities, Accountabilities or Duties, include

• Synthesis and functionalisation of nanoparticles, namely, liposomes, aimed ultimately for clinical use
• Use a range of physicochemical and materials characterisation techniques (Raman, AFM, SEM, TGA, laser light scattering, spectrophotometry, electron microscopy, ICP-MS, XPS)
• Perform specific experiments with in vitro techniques that can be applied to cancer research (e.g. cell-based immunoassays), and ex vivo immunobiology techniques
• Preparation and implementation of research protocols, SOPs and related documentation
• Be responsible for the recording, documentation and reporting of all preclinical models used by the Nanomedicine Lab
• Perform cross-faculty collaborative experiments using materials and tools developed by other researchers within the research programme
• Participate and have active presence in the research project meetings organized by the Nanomedicine Lab or its collaborating partners
• Provide clear and timely written work, producing reports and publishing in high quality publications. This may include presentations at national or international level and outreach activities
• Coordinate and execute studies with other researchers among the Nanomedicine Lab members that involve preclinical disease models
• Collate and store accurate records using paper and computer-based systems and the preparation of data for inclusion in lab books, presentations and publications. Maintain a hardcopy or electronic lab book
• Work in compliance with relevant Health and Safety Regulation, Data Protection and Institution's Policy Legislation and Regulations

General Responsibilities, Accountabilities or Duties, include

• Contribute to the group's progression by providing feedback and input to experimental design and development
• Provide advice and assistance to the research staff and students in order to best meet their requirements for research support
• Maintain expertise in scientific developments relevant to the objectives of the Nanomedicine Lab, the projects providing funding and provide relevant expert contributions in collaboration with its project partners
• Contribute to grant funding applications (national or international) that the Nanomedicine Lab will coordinate or participate as a research partner
• Expected to participate in Nanomedicine Lab scientific activities (lab meetings, seminars, etc.)
• Train students, researchers, collaborators and new personnel in the synthesis, functionalization and characterisation techniques of nanoparticles
• Actively read the scientific literature relating to (and around) the project
• To undertake any necessary training
• To learn and develop new research skills outside own discipline
• Any other reasonable duties commensurate with the post that may be requested

Requirements

Person specification

The researcher appointed should be an enthusiastic and highly self-motivated individual, with previous experience in the synthesis and functionalization of nanoparticles and extensive knowledge of physicochemical characterisation techniques.

Essential Education and Professional Qualifications

• PhD in chemistry, materials science, pharmacy, biomedicine, biotechnology or equivalent.

Essential Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience in the synthesis and functionalisation of nanoparticles, namely, liposomes
• Demonstrable previous basic use of some physicochemical and materials characterisation tools (e.g. Raman, AFM, laser light scattering, spectrophotometry, electron microscopy, ICP-MS, XPS)
• Experience with in vitro techniques that can be applied to cancer research (e.g. cell-based immunoassays), and ex vivo immunobiology techniques (e.g. flow cytometry)
• Excellent understanding of IT Tools, MS Office (e.g. Excel, Power Point)
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (in English)
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, including the ability to deliver timely and high-quality outputs
• Ability to clearly present information verbally, electronically and on paper
• Ability to be creative in research ideas to develop / progress the research area
• Ability to plan, organise, and undertake work with minimal supervision
• Ability to work under pressure while maintaining high standards and good reproducibility results
• Ability to work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team
• Ability to work independently, use own initiative where appropriate, and be proactive in approach to work

Desirable Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience with cryo-electron and confocal microscopy.
• Experience with Image analysis software (ImageJ / Fiji)
• GBM biology knowledge
• Experience of supervising student research projects
• Evidence of a developing track record in publishing and dissemination of high-quality publications in peer-reviewed journals

Summary of conditions

• Full time work (37,5h / week)
• Contract Length : temporary, 6 months with possibility to extend
• Location : Bellaterra (Barcelona)
• Salary will depend on qualifications and demonstrated experience.
• Support to the relocation issues.
• Life Insurance.
• Work-Life Balance and Flexibility with flexible work schedules
• 28 holidays per year
• Flexible compensation plan : tax advantages contracting some products (health insurance, childcare, training, among others.)
• Training activities : languages, mentoring programme, wellbeing programme.
• International environment

Estimated Incorporation date : January 2026

How to apply

• A cover letter.
• A full CV including contact details.
• 2 Reference letters or referee contacts.

Deadline for applications : 20 / 12 / 2025

Equal opportunities

At ICN2 we foster an inclusive and safe work environment, free from any form of discrimination-whether based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, origin, culture, religion, disability, or any other personal or social condition. We are committed to ensuring equal treatment and opportunities in all our processes, especially in recruitment, which is based solely on talent, experience, and ability. We implement proactive policies for inclusion and harassment prevention that reinforce our commitment to respect and fairness. If you share these values and are looking to grow in an open and diverse environment, ICN2 is ready to welcome you.