R1 PREDOCTORAL RESEARCH CANDIDATE - NeuroRNA

Organisation / Company: BIOGIPUZKOA HEALTH RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Research Field: Biological sciences

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Country: Spain

Application Deadline: 5 Jun 2025 - 23:59 (Europe / Madrid)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 35

Offer Starting Date: 19 May 2025

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

PhD student candidate in the “Neurogenetics, RNA biology and therapies - NeuroRNA” group of Biogipuzkoa Health Research Institute.

The NeuroRNA group is looking for a PhD student to join one of our research lines focused on understanding RNA-processing alterations in neurogenetics diseases.

The group, led by Lorea Blázquez (Ramón y Cajal and Ikerbasque Fellow) and Pablo Iruzubieta (Clinical neurologist), is focused on understanding the molecular basis of neurological diseases to develop novel diagnostic and personalized therapeutic strategies.

The selected candidate will join our research projects focused on:

• Characterization of genetic mutations in neurological diseases that affect RNA-processing.
• Understanding the contribution of widespread RNA-misprocessing to neurological disorders.

Development of personalised RNA-targeting genetic therapies.

We have ongoing research lines in neurodegenerative diseases (TDP43 proteinopathies and repeat-expansion disorders), brain tumors, and neuromuscular diseases. We employ molecular and cell biology techniques (reporters, patient-derived cell lines, antisense oligonucleotides, AAVs, Lentivirus, etc.), high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing (Illumina and Nanopore), and bioinformatics.

More information about the group and ongoing research lines can be found at [website].

Requirements include a BSc degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Medicine, etc., with a finished or ongoing MSc degree in Biological Sciences or Biomedicine, independence, leadership, scientific motivation, and good communication skills in English.

Valuable qualifications

• Previous experience in molecular biology, publications, and communications to scientific meetings.
• Academic record of the BSc degree higher than 7.5/10.
• Being a registered citizen in the Basque Country as of 1st January 2025.
• A disability certificate of 33% or higher is a plus.

Application Process

Applicants must submit their application through the IIS Biogipuzkoa website. All documents must be submitted electronically. The position is a one-year trainee predoctoral researcher contract, extendable up to four years. Candidates are encouraged to apply for predoctoral fellowships from various research programs. The expected start date is 01/01/2026, with an annual gross salary depending on the funding call.

Eligibility and Selection

Evaluation is based on experience, language skills, distinctions, and disability certification, with a maximum score of 125 points including an interview. Only applicants meeting the required competencies will be considered.

For registration, candidates must apply through the IIS Biogipuzkoa website. The institute is committed to open, transparent, and merit-based recruitment, promoting gender equality and adherence to the HRS4R principles.