Predoctoral position in mitocondrial lipid metabolism.

Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid); Spain; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) invites applications for a First Stage Researcher position in the Translational Energy Metabolism Group. The role focuses on mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation across life stages, employing in vitro and in vivo techniques.

You will work on transgenic mouse models, primary cell/organoid cultures, and multi-omics integration, with CRISPR/Cas9 and bioinformatics as key components of the project.

Qualifications

• Academic performance assessed from undergraduate and master's grades.
• Experience and certification for handling laboratory animals in Spain or the EU.
• Experience with methods to assess mitochondrial function and metabolism.
• Experience and autonomy in CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
• Experience and autonomy in bioinformatics.
• Experience with skeletal muscle and liver analysis using microscopy, flow cytometry and histology.

Responsibilities

• Manage transgenic mouse colonies and develop disease-relevant FAO dysfunction models.
• Culture primary cells and organoids from muscle and liver.
• Analyze mitochondrial function using oxygen consumption assays and BN-PAGE.
• Integrate multi-omics data from preclinical and clinical cohorts.

Skills

Bioinformatics

CRISPR/Cas9

Skeletal muscle analysis

Liver analysis

Education

Undergraduate degree

Master's degree

Tools

Seahorse XF24/XF96

BN-PAGE

Clark-type oxygen electrode

Flow cytometry

Microscopy

Histology

Job description

Organisation/Company Autonomous University of Madrid (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid) Department Translational Energy Metabolism Group: UAM, Science Faculty, Department of Molecular Biology Research Field Biological sciences Medical sciences Pharmacological sciences Computer science Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 30 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 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 candidate will join a research project aimed at advancing our understanding of the role of mitochondria in disease, with a particular focus on mitochondrial fatty acid β -oxidation (FAO) across different stages of life (lactation, adulthood, and ageing).

The candidate will learn and perform advanced in vitro and in vivo experimental techniques, including:

TASK 1: Management of transgenic mouse colonies and generation and characterization of animal models of FAO dysfunction.

TASK 2: Primary cell cultures and organoid cultures derived from muscle and liver.

TASK 3: Analysis of mitochondrial function, including oxygen consumption measurements using a Clark-type oxygen electrode and Seahorse XF24/XF96 analyzers; two-dimensional electrophoresis and blue native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE); enzymatic activity assays of mitochondrial complexes; radiometric analysis of metabolic fluxes; mitochondrial protein import and export assays; and CRISPR-based approaches to investigate mitochondrial proteins.

TASK 4: Integration of multi-omics data from preclinical models (mice) and clinical cohorts of metabolic lipid disorders.

The evaluation process will assess the suitability of the candidate based on the following criteria:

• Academic performance, based on grades obtained in the undergraduate degree and Master's degree.
• Experience in laboratory animal handling and possession of the training and certification required to work with laboratory animals in Spain or another EU country.
• Experience in techniques for assessing mitochondrial function.
• Experience and autonomy in the use of CRISPR/Cas9 technology.
• Experience and autonomy in bioinformatics.
• Experience in techniques for analyzing skeletal muscle and liver architecture and function (experience and autonomy in microscopy, flow cytometry, histology, and organ-specific techniques will be particularly valued..)

Additional Information

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