2026-022-02 Laboratory Technician

Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO); Center (IN); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Restaurant vouchers/cards

Transport support

Medical insurance

Baby daycare voucher

Flexible working hours

24 days of holidays

Fully subsidized language courses

Discounted sports activities

Reduced-price physiotherapy sessions

Job summary

The Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) is looking for a Specialized Laboratory Technician for its Cancer Genomics Laboratory. This role involves working on nucleic acid extraction and library preparation for NGS among other genomic profiling tasks.

The ideal candidate will have at least 4 years of laboratory experience and a strong command of molecular biology and genomics techniques. VHIO promotes a diverse and inclusive environment and offers competitive conditions including flexible remuneration and career development opportunities.

Qualifications

• At least 4 years of relevant laboratory experience in molecular biology and/or genomics techniques.
• Ph.D, B.Sc or M.Sc will be considered an asset, although is not mandatory.
• Fluency in English is required.
• Computer literacy is essential.

Responsibilities

• Nucleic acid extraction of fresh/frozen, plasma, and FFPE samples.
• Library preparation for NGS (Illumina-based), ddPCR, qPCR and RT-qPCR.
• Assisting in the development of new applications in NGS for molecular profiling of cancer patients.

Skills

Molecular biology techniques

Genomics techniques

Nucleic acid extraction

Library preparation for NGS

Fluency in English

Education

Ph.D, B.Sc or M.Sc

Job description

Overview

The Vall d´Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) Seeks a “Specialized Laboratory Technician at Cancer Genomics Laboratory”.

Reference: 2026-022-02

Application deadline: 31/07/2026

Number of vacancies: 2

Job Description

The Cancer Genomics Group (PI: Ana Vivancos) is the Genomics Core Technology laboratory at VHIO. Our laboratory provides access to a range of cutting-edge applications and technologies in cancer genomics, including NextGen Sequencers, MiSeq, NextSeq 550 (2 units), and NovaSeq 6000 (Illumina), as well as a ddPCR (BioRad).

We provide cutting-edge applications in cancer genomics through state-of-the-art technologies and, importantly, the development of novel, fully validated tests. Our novel genomic tests provide an important added value to our activity as a facility and research group, and to VHIO as a whole, enabling routine patient testing in the clinical research setting (Prescreening Program) as well as in translational research.

VHIO’s Prescreening Program is a transversal program, nucleated around the activity of two VHIO groups – the Molecular Oncology (led by Paolo Nuciforo) and Cancer Genomics labs, performing routine molecular profiling in over 1500 patients per year. Patients included in the program are candidates for enrollment in Phase I clinical trials carried out at the Research Unit for Molecular Therapy of Cancer (UITM) – “la Caixa”, led by Elena Garralda. Patients’ suitability for inclusion in any given clinical trial is decided taking into account their respective genomic or pathologic profile.

The Cancer Genomics Lab has developed and implemented several tests during the last 10 years that have been in use in the Prescreening Program routine. Presently, a custom 435-gene hybrid capture panel (VHIO-300, developed in 2018) is the DNA-based test for tissue analysis. Recently, we developed a custom RNA seq panel (VHIO Epsilon ɛ00) for gene fusion detection and gene expression profiling analysis, including a gene expression signature reporting on IFNg-mediated inflammation (VIGex). In 2022, we completed the technical transfer of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved Guardant360® CDx liquid biopsy test for comprehensive genomic profiling. Our lab is the first cancer research center in Europe to have a laboratory equipped with this cutting-edge platform.

As a reflection of our dedication to excellence and quality in the services we provide, both NGS-DNA based tests have been accredited according to the UNE-EN ISO 15189 quality system, that specifies requirements for quality and competence in medical laboratories. In recognition of our track, VHIO-300’s UNE-EN ISO 15189 accreditation was awarded in its flexible version, allowing us to include new analytes directly in the accredited test (following a standard operating procedure).

We are seeking a motivated laboratory technician to work in wet-lab tasks:

Responsibilities

• Nucleic acid extraction of fresh/frozen, plasma and FFPE samples.
• Library preparation for NGS (Illumina-based), ddPCR, qPCR and RT-qPCR, etc.
• Assisting in the development of new applications in NGS for molecular profiling of cancer patients.

Requirements

• Experience: At least 4 years of relevant laboratory experience in molecular biology and/or genomics techniques.
• Studies: Ph.D, B.Sc or M.Sc will be considered an asset, although is not mandatory.
• Languages: fluency in English is required.
• Computer literacy is essential.

Additional Information

We offer

• The possibility of developing your professional career in a competitive environment.
• To be part of a center that is constantly developing, pursuing excellence in research and collaborating with leading teams.
• We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment, and welcome all people equally, regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation.
• We care about our environment and understand the importance of sustainability. We have the GreenVhio program, which you can be a part of.

Conditions

• Full-time position, 37.5 hours per week.
• Salary according to qualifications and experience following VHIO pay scales.
• Flexible remuneration program (includes restaurant vouchers/cards, transport, medical insurance, and “baby daycare” voucher).
• Flexible working hours and measures to balance work, family, and personal life, and promote gender equality, as established in the VHIO collective agreement.
• 24 days of holidays and 6 personal days.
• Fully subsidized Catalan, Spanish, or English courses.
• Take advantage of doing sports at great prices with Urban Sports Club.
• You’ll have access to weekly physiotherapy sessions at the office, offered at a reduced price for the team.

Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) endorses the Requirements and Principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers promoted by the European Commission and follows Equal Opportunities policies. VHIO was awarded the HR Excellence in Research logo on 10 April 2018 as demonstration of its stimulating and favourable work environment in line with the Charter & Code. VHIO is a leading center for personalized cancer medicine with a multidisciplinary and translational research model, participating in consortia and projects with other prestigious centers worldwide.