Predoctoral researcher at the Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology Group (Project THRIVE)

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

Descripción de la vacante

Un centro de investigación en Barcelona busca un investigador predoctoral para unirse a un proyecto de doctorado sobre tauopatías. El candidato trabajará con modelos de ratón y organoides. Se requiere un BSc y MSc en Biología, Biotecnología o campos relacionados, habilidades en inglés y compromiso con la investigación. Ofrecen un contrato de 4 años comenzando el 1 de enero de 2026.

Servicios

Entorno científico internacional

Apoyo para visado/permisos de trabajo

Programa de inducción

Formación

• Debes estar en un programa doctoral oficial en diciembre de 2025.
• No debes haber sido premiado con un título doctoral anteriormente.
• Compromiso con la investigación y buen expediente académico.

Responsabilidades

• Generar derivados cerebrales a partir de células madre pluripotentes.
• Desarrollar y caracterizar modelos de tauopatías.
• Implementar ensayos avanzados para monitorear cambios durante modelado de enfermedades.

Conocimientos

Compromiso con la investigación científica

Conocimientos de inglés

Comunicación

Trabajo en equipo

Pensamiento crítico y analítico

Educación

BSc y MSc en Biología, Biotecnología, Ingeniería Biomédica o Biomedicina

Herramientas

MATLAB

Python

ImageJ

Descripción del empleo

Overview

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

The Molecular and Cellular Neurobiotechnology Group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is seeking a highly motivated Pre-doctoral Researcher to join an exciting PhD project focused on modeling human tauopathies. The successful candidate will work with mouse models, cerebral organoids, and advanced in vitro platforms to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying tauopathies and to explore potential therapeutic interventions. The project involves the analysis of gene expression and neuronal activity across different models, with the goal of contributing to the development of treatments that could modify the neurodegenerative progression of the disease. This position offers an excellent opportunity to develop skills in a multidisciplinary and international research environment, at the interface of neuroscience, stem cell biology, and disease modeling. The PhD project is conducted within the THRIVE framework: \"Hipersincronía y desacoplamiento secuencial mediados por Tau en Taupatías primarias 4R: Conocimientos funcionales bioquímicos y intervenciones genéticas y farmacológicas\". This fellowship is associated with the Generación de Conocimiento project, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

Main tasks and responsibilities:

As a PhD researcher, you will work at the intersection of stem cell biology, bioengineering, and neuroscience. Your work will contribute to advancing our understanding of tauopathies and exploring innovative therapeutic strategies. Specifically, you will be involved in:

• Generating cortical and subcortical brain derivatives from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) using 2D and 3D culture systems, including cerebral organoids.
• Developing and characterizing patient-derived and mouse-derived models of tauopathies, both in vitro and in vivo, to uncover disease mechanisms and gain new insights into pathophysiology.
• Designing and applying advanced bioengineering tools, such as lab-on-a-chip and microfluidic devices, to study neuronal networks and model disease progression.
• Exploring cell-to-cell and organoid-to-organoid interactions using microfluidic platforms to better understand neurodegenerative processes.
• Implementing cutting-edge assays (quantitative and qualitative) to monitor gene expression, neuronal activity, and metabolic changes during disease modeling and therapeutic testing.
• Working in a multidisciplinary and international environment where stem cell biology, bioengineering, and translational neuroscience converge, contributing to developing innovative treatments for tauopathies while gaining cutting-edge skills.

Requirements for candidates:

Essential:

• BSc and MSc in Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedical engineering, or Biomedicine.
• Be ready to enter an official doctoral programme in December 2025 (under Spanish Law); must have obtained a University degree and a Master’s degree by that time, or hold an official university qualification from an EHEA country with a minimum of 300 ECTS of official university studies, of which at least 60 are at master’s level. Candidates expecting to be awarded such degrees by October 2025 are eligible to apply.
• Strong commitment to scientific research and an good academic record.
• Good working knowledge of English.
• Must not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree.
• Must not have held a Ph.D. contract exceeding twelve months by the beginning of the fellowship (December 2025 to January 2026).
• Good skills in communication, teamwork, proactivity, characterization, integrity, time management, critical and analytical thinking, precision, and focus.

Desirable:

• Experience in general cell culture techniques or stem cell cultures.
• Previous experience in neurobiology studies (BSc or MSc level) involving histology or research using mouse models (behavioral studies, etc.).
• Experience in basic molecular biology and laboratory techniques (e.g., qPCR, immunofluorescence, among others).
• Knowledge of image analysis using ImageJ or similar software.
• Proficiency in MATLAB and Python will be considered an advantage.
• Scientific writing skills.

For 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 the IBEC site.

We Offer

• Number of available positions: 1
• Predoctoral researcher contract: 4 years
• Starting date: 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).
• International scientific environment with high-quality training, induction programme, and visa/work permit support for international researchers to install in Barcelona.

How to apply: Until October 29th an online application form is available through the IBEC dedicated site: caree rs.ibecbarcelona.eu (note: omit broken or placeholder links in final). Applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated.

Reference: FPI_JADR_RG

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

Selection and Inclusion

Principles of the selection process: IBEC adheres to the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R).

IBEC is committed to equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion. We support employees irrespective of gender, nationality, religion, disabilities, age, sexual identity or cultural and socioeconomic background.

IBEC is an equal opportunity employer and aims for balanced representation in recruitment processes.

Protection of personal data: IBEC guarantees that candidates’ personal data are processed in accordance with the GDPR and national data protection laws, and 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 in Barcelona, recognized as a Severo Ochoa Research Centre. Our mission is to develop international high-quality interdisciplinary research that advances health and quality of life.

IBEC is located in Barcelona Science Park with a broad international team and collaborations. Grant PID2024-162521OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU.