Research technician in cyanobacterial bioplastics and environmental biotechnology. (Ref. 30277510002)

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH; España; Hybrid; EUR 32,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH is seeking a Researcher to support the RENEW project, focusing on cyanobacteria-enriched microbiomes and PHBV bioplastics. You will work across biology, molecular biology, and environmental engineering to advance polymer production and analysis.

Responsibilities include culture maintenance, data processing, and reporting. Collaboration with international teams and experience in photobioreactor operation are valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in a relevant field.
• Strong background in biology, molecular biology and environmental engineering.
• Experience with microbiological culture and polymer analysis.

Responsibilities

• Provide experimental and analytical support to the RENEW project focusing on cyanobacteria enrichment.
• Prepare media, isolate and purify bacteria and cyanobacteria; maintain non-sterile cultures.
• Monitor biomass, nutrients, acetate, valerate, fluorescence, and PHBV content.
• Operate photobioreactors for biomass growth and PHBV production.
• Apply programming and scientific software to process data and perform analyses.
• Prepare figures, reports, publications and student presentations.

Skills

Molecular biology

Bioinformatics

Programming (R, Python, MATLAB)

Quantitative analysis

Education

Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Tools

Origin

ImageJ

Gas chromatography

Job description

Organisation/Company Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)- BarcelonaTECH Research Field Environmental science Biological sciences › Biological engineering Biological sciences › Zoology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Research Support Positions Application Deadline 16 Nov 2026 - 23:00 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Part-time Hours Per Week 25 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Reference Number 30277510002 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Mission:

Provide experimental and analytical support to the RENEW project in the cultivation of microbiomes enriched in cyanobacteria, the production and recovery of bioplastics, especially PHBV, the characterization of polymers and their deterioration in environmental media.

Functions to be developed:

• Integrate knowledge of biology, molecular biology and environmental engineering to support resource recovery and water reuse.
• Prepare media and materials, isolate and purify bacteria and cyanobacteria and maintain non-sterile cultures enriched in cyanobacteria.
• Monitor biomass, nutrients, acetate and valerate, fluorescence, and PHBV content and composition.
• Operate photobioreactors for biomass growth and PHBV production
• Use programming and scientific software to process data, perform statistical analyses, material balances and performance and productivity calculations.
• Prepare figures, reports, publications and student presentations.

Research Field Biological sciences › Biological engineering Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Research Field Biological sciences › Zoology Education Level Bachelor Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Technical Skills:

• Molecular biology and bioinformatics:DNA/RNA extraction, PCR techniques, primer design, nucleotide/amino acid sequence analysis (16S rRNA) and phylogenetic studies using bioinformatics tools.
• Photoautotrophic and anoxic culture for intracellular polymer accumulation.
• Semi-continuous cultivation in two stages, monitoring of biomass and nutrients (organic acids, nitrogen) and evaluation through material balances.
• Scientific programming and quantitative analysis: development in C, R, Python and MATLAB, statistical analysis, preparation of calibration curves and productivity calculations.
• Population studies, GPS positioning, data collection in remote environments and on board boats, and marine remote sensing.
• Image processing and specialized computer tools: image analysis, preparation of figures for scientific publications and handling of specialized software (Origin, ImageJ, Gen5).

Specific Requirements

Knowledge:

• Microbiology, bioprocesses and polymer analysis: microbial isolation and culture, bioreactor operation, PHBV extraction, degradation tests (water, soil), gas chromatography (GC), morphological/thermal analysis (SEM, TEM, DSC), NMR spectroscopy and polymer quantification
• Bacteria and cyanobacteria: isolation, maintenance and nutritional requirements.

Professional Experience:

• In research in zoology, molecular biology, fieldwork, remote sensing and GPS navigation.
• In research on PHBV production with cyanobacterial-enriched microbiomes: isolation and purification, culture maintenance, prolonged operation of photobioreactors, feeding and monitoring of substrates and fluorescence.
• In PHBV extraction and recovery, GC data operation and analysis, stand-alone SEM and DSC operation and polymer characterization.
• In scientific programming, data processing and statistical analysis and figure preparation: collaborative research, oral and poster communications at international conferences and teamwork in the laboratory.
• Experience in functions similar to those described will be valued, specifically in the development of research activities, both in the university and industrial environment.

Languages CATALAN Level Basic

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Languages SPANISH Level Good

Research Field Environmental scienceBiological sciences › Biological engineeringBiological sciences › Zoology Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

€33,876.08 gross per year (for a full-time position)

Eligibility criteria

All the candidates who cannot prove the required academic degree will be immediately withdrawn from the selection process.

The CVs will be assessed according the following general criteria:

• The maximum score for the candidates who accomplish all the eligibility criteria stated in the job offer will be 10 points.
• Threshold: 5 points.
• The maximum score (10 points) will be distributed as follows:
• 1 point for required speciality.
• 2 points for required academic training.
• 2 points for technic competences.
• 1 point for organisational competences.
• 3 points for professional experience.
• 1 point for any aspect of the candidate’s professional profile to be determined as specially relevant by the Selection committee.

If the selection committee decide to include a personal interview as additional step of the selection process, only the candidates scored 5 or above for their CV will be retained for the interview step.

The interview will be assessed according the following criteria:

• Threshold: 3 points.
• The maximum score will be distributed according the following criteria:
• 2 points for adequacy to functional competences of the job.
• 2 points for adequacy of professional experience.
• 1 point for any aspect of the candidate’s professional profile to be determined as especially relevant by the Selection committee.

The eligible candidates will be ranked from highest to lowest score, being this the selection criteria.

Selection process

The planned selection process is as follows:

• The members of the selection committee will decide for each case what the selection process will be, if an assessment is made only for the curriculum vitae or any other procedure is planned: interview, tests, etc ...
• Each phase of the selection process will be reported on the website where the offer is published. If applicable, indicate your request.
• Finally, the name of the person selected will be published on the same website where the offer is published.

Additional comments

Remember that the resume should not include any personal data or photographs.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (DECA) Country Spain State/Province Barcelona City Barcelona Postal Code 08034 Street Jordi Girona, 1-3 Geofield