Introduction to the vacant position:
The Bioinspired Interactive Materials and Protocellular Systems Group is looking for a Postdoctoral Scientist to conduct basic research toward programming accelerated engulfment of objects (nano-, microparticles, bacterial cells) towards the development of Phagocytic Synthetic Cells. The contract will be within the framework of Project PredaSynCell with the overall objective to uncover mechanisms to accelerate the engulfment process. For that, the scientist will establish simulation methods to understand which molecular arrangements result in vesicles with the capacity to engulf bacteria and guide the synthesis of amphiphiles.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- Molecular dynamic simulations of Janus dendrimers and amphiphilic comb polymers that form biomembranes
- Development of MD and DPD models for engulfment of objects by biomembranes
- Introduction of models for membranes from random heteropolymers and study how the randomness can be leverage to accelerate engulfment
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- PhD and Master in Physics
- Experience in atomistic molecular dynamics of synthetic macromolecular amphiphiles
- Experience in simulations of comb polymers and combisomes
- Experience in Brownian dynamics and dissipative particle dynamics
- Experience in modelling artificial cell membranes
- Multidisciplinary qualifications and/or knowledge of polymer science and self-assembly will be a plus.
- Competencies and skills: Communication, Teamwork and collaboration, Commitment, Proactivity, Integrity, Critical and Analytical thinking.
- High level of English
Advantageous:
- Experience in programming
- Experience in simulating complex macromolecules such as nanogels, coacervates from polyelectrolytes and DNA.
- Knowledge of macromolecular physical chemistry
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: 01/03/2024
- Working conditions:
- Temporary (1 year) Full-time contract.
- Very competitive salary.
- Measures to reconcile work and family life (parental leave, flexible work 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 a high-quality international scientific environment.
- An induction programme to facilitate incorporation at IBEC and additional support is provided for foreigners to obtain Visa-working permits and to install in Barcelona.
How to apply:
Until 02/01/2024 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: PD-CR
If you have any further questions 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 to 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 was 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 manages 3.800 square meters of facilities, with an annual budget of 17 Mio€; 3.800 square meters of facilities; 20 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 400 people from 35 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu
