Introduction to the vacant position:
The Nanobioelec Group (www.ibecbarcelona.eu/nanobioelec) is looking for a PhD student to develop his/her PhD thesis project on the development of Autonomous Atomic Force Microscopes enhanced by Artificial Intelligence. The contract will be within the framework of the Scanning Probe Microscopy Research Line of the group, whose objective is to develop scanning probe microscopes for the functional characterization of materials and biological matter, with applications in Life Sciences, Medicine and Bioelectronics. Recent publications of the group on the topic include:
-Checa M, Millan-Solsona R, Mares AG, Pujals S, Gomila G. Fast Label-Free Nanoscale Composition Mapping of Eukaryotic Cells Via Scanning Dielectric Force Volume Microscopy and Machine Learning. Small Methods 5, 2100279 (2021).
-Kyndiah A, Checa M, Leonardi F, Millan-Solsona R, Di Muzio M, Tanwar S, Fumagalli L, Mas-Torrent M, Gomila G. Nanoscale Mapping of the Conductivity and Interfacial Capacitance of an Electrolyte-Gated Organic Field-Effect Transistor under Operation. Advanced Functional Materials 31, 2008032 (2021).
-Checa M, Millán-Solsona R, Blanco N, Torrents E, Fabregas R, Gomila G. Mapping the dielectric constant of a single bacterial cell at the nanoscale with scanning dielectric force volume microscopy. Nanoscale 11, 20809 (2019).
The successful candidate will develop research involving:
- Developing Machine Learning Algorithms for Atomic Force Microscopy image processing and for the autonomous operation of the microscope.
- Interfacing of the algorithms with an Atomic Force Microscope and validation of its correct operation.
- Application to the autonomous characterization of liposomes drug nanocarriers.
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- Bachelor (BSc) and Master (MSc) on Physics/Mathematics/Engineering and related fields
- Self-critical, capacity to learn and bring knowledge
- Competencies and skills: Communication, Teamwork, Proactivity, Commitment, Collegiality, Integrity, Critical and Analytical thinking
- High level of English
Advantageous:
- Background/experience on machine learning is a plus.
- Advanced Programming skills is a plus.
- Background/experience on scanning probe microscopy is a plus.
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: From September 1st 2023
- Working conditions:
- Full time 4-year contract paid in accordance with the Spanish PhD rules
- 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 predoctral 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.
- Measures to reconcile work and family life (maternity and paternity leave, flexible schedule working hours, 23 working days of paid holidays, 9 leave days for personal matters, among others).
How to apply:
Until 30th June 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: (Phd_GG)
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.”
IBEC actively looks for female candidates for Senior positions (Postdoctoral and GL 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.
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).
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.”
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 13 Mill€; 3.800 square meters of facilities; 21 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 350 people from 30 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu
