Introduction to the vacant position:
The Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is seeking a Research Assistant Bioinformatician to join two highly competitive research projects, a national Generación de Conocimiento project and an ERC Consolidator Grant, both focused on the development of next-generation human models of spinal cord injury and regeneration.
The position will contribute to the analysis and integration of high-dimensional omics datasets generated from advanced human spinal cord organoids, bioengineered platforms, and humanized in vitro models, with the overarching goal of identifying regenerative programs, disease-relevant pathways, and actionable therapeutic targets for spinal cord repair.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- Process and analyze single-cell RNA sequencing datasets (e.g. 10x Genomics), including quality control, normalization, clustering, cell-type annotation, and differential expression analysis.
- Perform multi-modal and multi-omics data integration, combining transcriptomics, proteomics, and spatial omics datasets.
- Analyze cell-state transitions, lineage trajectories, cell–cell communication and signalling pathways relevant to spinal cord regeneration and neuroinflammation.
- Develop, optimize, and maintain reproducible bioinformatics pipelines using R, Python, Bash, and related tools.
- Work in close interaction with experimental researchers to support data-driven hypothesis generation and experimental design.
- Generate publication-quality figures, reports, and analytical outputs for high-impact scientific manuscripts.
- Contribute to data management, documentation, and compliance with FAIR data principles.
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- BSc and MSc in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Biology, or related disciplines.
- PhD in Bioinformatics or Computational Biology.
- Demonstrated experience in single-cell RNA-seq data analysis.
- Strong programming skills in R and/or Python.
- Experience with analysis frameworks such as Seurat, Scanpy, DESeq2, edgeR, or equivalent.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within interdisciplinary research teams.
- Excellent written and spoken scientific English.
- Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and scientific rigor.
Advantageous:
- Experience with computational proteomics and/or multi-omics data integration.
- Knowledge of spatial omics platforms (e.g. Visium, MERFISH, Slide-seq).
- Familiarity with high-performance computing (HPC) environments and large-scale data management.
- Previous involvement in projects related to neuroscience, organoids, spinal cord injury, or regenerative medicine.
- Strong interest in translational research and biomaterials.
Competencies and Skills:
We value not only technical expertise but also the demonstration of core competencies such as Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration, Commitment, Proactivity, Integrity, and Critical and Analytical Thinking.
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: 16th of February 2026
- Working conditions:
- Full time 6- months contract renewable based on performance and funding availability for up to 1–2 years.
- Salary commensurate with previous experience.
- Measures to reconcile work and family life (parental leave, flexible schedule working hours, 23 working days of paid holidays, 9 leave days for personal matters, among others).
- 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 a wide range of training in technical and transferable skills including mobility grants and a Mentoring programme for predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers.
- Stimulating, interdisciplinary research and high-quality international scientific environment.
- Induction programme to facilitate incorporation at IBEC and additional support is provided for foreigners to obtain Visa-working permit and to install in Barcelona.
How to apply:
Until 30th of January 2026 an online application form is available through IBEC dedicated site: https://careers.ibecbarcelona.eu/
Only those applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated.
Reference: GC- Bioinformatician
If you have any further question regarding your application, please contact us at jobs@ibecbarcelona.eu
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) 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. Being an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to diversity and inclusion, so that we support employees irrespective of their gender, nationality, religion, disabilities, age, sexual identity or cultural and socioeconomic background.
Visit our devoted webpage on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
For candidates with children that come from outside Barcelona, we offer babysitting services during the interview, so you don’t have to worry about anything else than doing a good interview. Contact us if you are interested in this service.
In categories where women are underrepresented, such as Group Leader positions, and with the aim of ensuring gender balance in recruitment processes, women candidates must represent at least 50% of those interviewed for Junior-level positions and 40% for Senior-level positions, provided they have CVs comparable to those of male candidates. At the end of the evaluation process, in cases of equal merit, preference will be given to women candidates.
IBEC, as a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), will consider, especially for early-stage investigators, much more the scientific content of research outputs, than publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which it were published.
Protection of personal data:
IBEC guarantees that candidates’ personal data are processed in accordance with the requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Law 3/2018 on Data Protection.
Personal data will be processed solely for the purposes of the selection process.
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 one of the top research institutions named as a Severo Ochoa Research Centre by the Ministry of Science, Universities and Innovation, which recognizes excellence at the highest international level in terms of research, training, human resources, outreach and technology transfer.
IBEC’s mission is to develop international high-quality interdisciplinary research that, while creating knowledge, contributes to making a better quality of life, improving health and creating wealth. A close link with key universities, reference hospitals and corporations, are assets that facilitate achieving the mission.
IBEC was established in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Autonomous Government of Catalonia), the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC).
IBEC is located within the Barcelona Science Park and is managing 3.800 square meters facilities, with an annual budget of 22 Mio€; 4.150 square meters of facilities; 21 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 400 people from 35 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu
