Proyecto de Generación de Conocimiento by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities
Introduction to the vacant position:
The Targeted Therapeutics & Nanodevices Group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is looking for a Pre-doctoral Researcher to conduct her/his predoctoral training on the development and characterization of novel multifunctional biotherapeutics capable of crossing biological barriers in the body to efficiently reach their targets, using state-of the-art bio-nano-technological and pharmaceutical sciences principles and methods. The aim of the project is to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of fatal neurodegenerative diseases due to congenital enzymatic defects, easily translatable into broader applications.
The PhD project will be conducted in the framework of the project entitled: “New isoform-dependent brain-targeting for enzyme therapy” (BRAINZYME).
This fellowship is associated with the research project Generación de Conocimiento, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
• Help design multimodular biotherapeutics with capabilities such as pro-drug protection, specific targeting, precise transport, controlled release, and therapeutic activity.
• Characterize and optimize these biotherapeutics in vitro by assessing their structure, functionality, and stability under storage and physiological conditions.
• Examine their performance in 2D and 3D systems, including chemical and genetic disease models, multi-cultures and organ-on-a-chip devices.
• Investigate the biodistribution as well as therapeutic and unwanted side effects of these biotherapeutics in vivo using animal models.
• Implement quantitative/qualitative methods and analysis to obtain strong conclusions.
• Keep actualized records of the implemented protocols, results, analyses, and data.
• Share/resent data with/to assigned supervisor(s), lab members and pertinent collaborators.
• Participate in the preparation/writing/presentation of scientific results for designated conferences, specialized journals and possible patent application processes.
• Help others with general lab-keeping tasks, such as inventory logs, ordering, instrument maintenance, space organization, collaborations, safety regulations, and keeping a high scientific standard and collegial atmosphere for proper well-being of the lab and its members.
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- BSc and MSc in biology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, biomedicine or similar areas.
- Candidates should have been accepted in an official doctoral programme by the time the fellowship is activated, preferably by December 2025 (under Spanish Law). By this time, they must have obtained a university degree and a master’s degree; or must hold an official university qualification from a country of (or officially accepted by) the European Higher Education Area with a minimum of 300 ECTS of official university studies, of which at least 60 are at master’s level (or equivalent). Candidates who expect to be awarded such degrees by October 2025 are eligible to apply.
- Candidates must not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree.
- Candidates must not have held a Ph.D. contract exceeding twelve months by the beginning of the fellowship.
- Candidates must have a strong commitment to scientific research and an excellent academic record.
- Candidates must have a good knowledge of English at oral/writing level for daily use.
- Good skills in communication, individual and team work, flexibility to adjust to scientific requirements, proactivity, integrity, time management, critical and analytical thinking, precision, organization, and focus.
Preferable/advantageous:
- Previous research experience for 1-year minimum in a continuous project.
- Experience regarding recombinant biotechnoloy, cell biology, and/or pharmaceutical sciences techniques, including nucleic acid isolation, PCR, sequencing, transfection, SDS-PAGE, Western blot, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, cell culture, ELISA, biochemical measurements, protein handling, and/or in vivo models.
- Previous knowledge on image analysis, statistical tools, writing, and presentation software.
- Demonstrated scientific writing/communication skills.
- Previous mobility experience.
For the conditions, requirements, details of the research project and other relevant data, please check the general call Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2024 by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation at http://www.ibecbarcelona.eu/phd
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Predoctoral researcher contract: 4 years
- Starting date: As of January 1st, 2026, although some lag time is available if bureaocratically needed (to be confirmed, based on the resolution of the call Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2024 by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities).
- For labour conditions, please click in the call at www.ibecbarcelona.eu/phd
- 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.
- A stimulating, interdisciplinary, multi-cultural, gender-balanced, 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 October 29th 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: FPI_SM
If you have any further questions regarding your application, please contact us at phd@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
Grant PID2024-156424OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU.
