Predoctoral researcher at the Biomimetic systems for cell engineering Research Group (Project B[...]

Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST); Barcelona; Presencial; EUR 24.000 - 30.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

El Instituto de investigación en bioingeniería en Barcelona busca un investigador predoctoral para desarrollar un modelo cancer-on-chip para estudiar el ciclo de inmunidad en el cáncer colorrectal. Los candidatos deben tener un BSc/MSc en áreas relevantes y un compromiso sólido con la investigación científica. Se ofrece un contrato de 4 años y un entorno científico internacional.

Servicios

Oportunidades de desarrollo profesional

Programa de inducción

Apoyo para obtener permiso de trabajo

Formación

• Capacidad para entrar en un programa doctoral oficial en enero de 2026.
• Deseable experiencia en diseño y fabricación de microfluidos.
• Conocimiento de análisis de imágenes usando ImageJ o software similar.

Responsabilidades

• Desarrollar un modelo cancer-on-chip de cáncer colorrectal.
• Establecer gradientes químicos dentro del chip.
• Estudio del ciclo de inmunidad del cáncer.

Conocimientos

Compromiso con la investigación científica

Trabajo en equipo

Pensamiento crítico y analítico

Habilidades de comunicación

Educación

BSc y MSc en biotecnología, ingeniería biomédica o áreas similares

Herramientas

Experiencia en diseño de microfluidos

Conocimiento de dinámica de fluidos computacionales (i.e., COMSOL, Ansys Fluent)

Descripción del empleo

Overview

Proyecto de Generación de Conocimiento 2024 by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities

Introduction to the vacant position:

The Biomimetic systems for cell engineering Group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is looking for a Pre-doctoral Researcher to conduct predoctoral training on advanced cancer in vitro models to study critical steps of the cancer immunity cycle, with the aim to develop a bioprinted cancer-on-chip model reproducing the tumor microenvironment and the blood and lymph vessels to study immune tumor infiltration in colorectal cancer.

The PhD project will be conducted in the framework of the project entitled: “Bioprinted cancer-on-chip; A breakthrough tool for exploring the cancer immunity cycle” (BIOCHIC).

This fellowship is associated with the research project Generación de Conocimiento, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation and Universities.

Responsibilities

• Develop a cancer-on-chip model of colorectal cancer:
• Design and fabrication of a microfluidic device mimicking the tumor microenvironment using 3D printing and bioprinting
• Characterization of the blood and lymph barriers on chip
• Establishment of chemical gradients within the chip

• Study of the cancer immunity cycle:
• Primary immune cell isolation and characterization
• Implementation of quantitative and qualitative assays to monitor the immune cell transmigration and infiltration into the tumor microenvironment

Requirements for candidates

Essential:

• BSc and MSc in biotechnology, biomedical engineering, biomedicine or similar areas
• Candidates should be ready to enter an official doctoral programme in January 2026 (under Spanish Law). By this time, they must have obtained a university degree and a master’s degree; or must hold an official university qualification from a country of the European Higher Education Area with a minimum of 300 ECTS of official university studies, of which at least 60 are at master’s level. Candidates who expect to be awarded with such degrees by October 2025 are eligible to apply.
• Candidates must have a strong commitment to scientific research and an excellent academic record.
• Candidates must have a good working knowledge of English.
• Candidates must not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree.
• Candidates must not have held a Ph.D. contract exceeding twelve months by the beginning of the fellowship (January 2026).
• Good skills in communication, teamwork, proactivity, characterization, integrity, time management, critical and analytical thinking, precision, and focus.

Desirable:

• Experience in microfluidics design and fabrication
• Experience in biomaterials and bioprinting
• Experience in computational fluidic dynamics (i.e., COMSOL, Ansys Fluent)
• Experience in cell culture
• Knowledge of microfluidics computer simulation finite element modeling
• Knowledge of image analysis using ImageJ or similar software
• Scientific writing skills

For the conditions, requirements, details of the research project and other relevant data, please check the general call Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2024 by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation at http://www.ibecbarcelona.eu/phd

We Offer

• Number of available positions: 1
• Predoctoral researcher contract: 4 years
• Starting date: As of January 1st, 2026 (to be confirmed, based on the resolution of the call Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2024 by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities).
• For labour conditions, please click on the call at www.ibecbarcelona.eu/phd
• IBEC ensures equality of access to professional development opportunities irrespective of employment status, length at IBEC or other factors. The IBEC’s yearly training catalogue offers training in technical and transferable skills.
• High-quality international scientific environment.
• Induction programme to facilitate incorporation at IBEC and additional support for foreigners to obtain a Visa-working permit and to install in Barcelona.

How to apply

Until October 29, online application form is available through IBEC dedicated site: https://careers.ibecbarcelona.eu/

Only those applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated.

Reference: FPI_EM

If you have any further questions regarding your application, please contact us at [e-mail]

Selection and equal opportunity

Principles of the selection process: IBEC is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the Open, Transparent and Merit based Recruitment principles (OTM-R) at https://ibecbarcelona.eu/careers-at-ibec/jobs/

IBEC’s Commitment on equal opportunity, diversity, and Inclusion: Our strength and excellence as an international transdisciplinary Research Institute are based on diversity. As an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to diversity and inclusion, supporting employees irrespective of gender, nationality, religion, disabilities, age, sexual identity or cultural and socioeconomic background.

Visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion page. For candidates with children coming from outside Barcelona, babysitting services during the interview are available upon request.

In categories where women are underrepresented, such as Group Leader positions, women candidates must represent at least 50% of those interviewed for Junior-level positions and 40% for Senior-level positions, provided CVs are comparable. At the end of the evaluation process, in cases of equal merit, preference will be given to women candidates.

IBEC, as a signatory of DORA, will consider scientific content of research outputs more than publication metrics for early-stage investigators.

Protection of personal data

IBEC guarantees that candidates’ personal data are processed in accordance with the EU GDPR and Law 3/2018 on Data Protection. Personal data will be processed solely for selection purposes.

Who we are

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, IBEC, is an interdisciplinary research center focused on Bioengineering and Nanomedicine based in Barcelona. IBEC is a Severo Ochoa Research Centre, recognized for excellence in research, training, human resources, outreach and technology transfer.

IBEC’s mission is to develop international high-quality interdisciplinary research that contributes to making a better quality of life, improving health and creating wealth. IBEC was established in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the University of Barcelona and the Technical University of Catalonia. IBEC is located in Barcelona Science Park, managing facilities and staff across multiple groups and countries. More information at www.ibecbarcelona.eu.

Grant PID2024-162957OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU.