Introduction to the vacant position:
The Molecular Imaging for Precision Medicine (MIPMED) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to to participate in the ongoing research projects of the group. The contract will be within the framework of the ERC Starting Grant project “Lifetime Metabolomics for Paediatric Liver Cancer Detection and Therapy Assessment Using Organ-on-Chip Platforms (LIFETIME)”.
We are seeking a motivated and skilled postdoctoral researcher in Biology to lead preclinical in vivo studies using hyperpolarized magnetic resonance techniques in small animal models. This position is part of a multidisciplinary project integrating chemistry, physics and biomedical imaging to develop and apply advanced metabolic imaging methods.
This role requires strong organizational and communication skills, the ability to work in multidisciplinary and international teams, and a commitment to supporting cutting-edge scientific research.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- Plan and conduct in vivo experiments in mice using hyperpolarized 13C-labeled substrates and MRI protocols.
- Manage animal handling, anesthesia, catheterization and monitoring procedures during imaging studies.
- Collaborate closely with physicists and chemists to coordinate hyperpolarization workflows and optimize imaging protocols.
- Analyze metabolic imaging data and contribute to interpretation of preclinical results in disease models.
- Ensure compliance with institutional and regulatory guidelines on animal research and safety, including writing the required CEEAs.
- Prepare experimental reports, contribute to scientific publications and present findings at internal and external meetings.
- Participate in weekly lab meetings
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- Ph.D. in Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine, or a related discipline.
- Extensive hands-on experience in small animal handling and in vivo experimental procedures.
- Proficiency in anesthesia techniques, intravenous administration and physiological monitoring in rodents.
- Strong data analysis skills and ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
- Certification for work with laboratory animals.
- Excellent communication and teamworking skills, proactivity, commitment, critical and analytical thinking
- High level of English
Advantageous:
- Familiarity with preclinical imaging methods (MRI, PET, optical imaging) is highly desirable; prior experience with hyperpolarized MRI is an advantage
- Capacity to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, including chemists, engineers, and biomedical researchers
- Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and conference contributions
- International experience
- Experience in scientific writing (papers)
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: 1 September 2025
- Working conditions:
- Full time 6 months contract
- 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 31/07/2025 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: PR-IM.
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:
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.
IBEC actively looks for female candidates for Senior positions ensuring that at least 40% of shortlisted applicants invited to interview have to be women with comparable level of CVs as the male candidates. At the end of the evaluation process, in case of equal merit, priority will be given to female candidates.
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.
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
