Introduction to the vacant position:
Dementia, including Alzheimer’s, Lewy body Parkinson’s, and others, is a growing health concern worldwide. These conditions are often associated with the accumulation and aggregation of neurotoxic proteins amyloid-β, tau, and α-synuclein in the brain, leading to brain damage. Understanding the structural characteristics of such proteins is essential to understanding these diseases at the molecular level. To investigate protein structure, aggregation dynamics and liquid-liquid phase separations, this project will use advanced TEM imaging in Liquid Phase. The research focuses on proteins associated with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases, combining molecular dynamics simulations and liquid TEM imaging. Additionally, the project explores the effect of current drugs and aggregation inhibitors on the structure of these proteins in liquid environments. This information is critical for developing new drugs.
This interdisciplinary approach brings together imaging science, physics, molecular engineering, and computational science and has the potential to create create innovative treatments for neurodegenerative diseases that cause dementia. We welcome individuals willing to combine experimental imaging with computational efforts. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the Molecular Bionics group, a dynamic multidisciplinary team comprising chemists, physicists, mathematicians, engineers, and biologists. To learn more about our work, please visit our external website at https://www.molecularbionics.org.
Main tasks and responsibilities of the successful candidate will be:
- Protein structure characterisation by standard methods
- Protein imaging by solid state and Liquid Phase TEM.
- Design and implementation of novel imaging protocols for proteins in Liquid Phase TEM
- Image analysis
- Molecular modelling simulations
- Coding experiences, particularly in handling deep learning and other machine learning techniques.
- Handling of soft materials and polymers.
- To contribute to the drafting and submitting of papers to peer reviewed journals.
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- Grade & MS in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Bio-Physics, or Bioengineering, any field directly related to the tasks described above.
- Good skills in communication, teamwork, proactivity, commitment, integrity, time management, critical and analytical thinking, precision and focus.
- Willingness to work in a highly multidisciplinary environment.
- High level of English (both oral and written).
Desirable
- Prior computational skills for image analysis
- Previous experience handling soft nanomaterials and proteins
- Previous experience in Python coding
- Previous experience in data analysis and science.
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: 16/04/2024
- 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.
- 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 31/03/2024 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: (Phd_LR)
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 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 ensures that applicants’ personal data are processed as required by EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Spanish Law 3/2018 on Data Protection.
Personal data shall thus be processed solely for the purpose of the selection procedure.
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 Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (in charge of research and innovation policy in Spain), 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 theBarcelona Science Park and is managing an annual budget of 12M€ and 3.800 square meters facilities, 22 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 300 people from 30 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu
