Introduction to the vacant position:
We are seeking a Head of IT and Digital Transformation. Our Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is an internationally recognised research centre with more than 450 professionals, mainly scientists, specialised in biomedicine, bioengineering, robotics, cell biology and artificial intelligence applied to health.
IBEC holds excellence accreditations such as Severo Ochoa and is part of the Catalan public–private research ecosystem (Government of Catalonia, University of Barcelona and Polytechnic University of Catalonia).
Mission of the role:
To lead the digital, technological and data transformation of IBEC, turning the IT area into a strategic enabler of scientific research and institutional management.
This is not a maintenance role. It is a role of reconstruction, structuring and evolution, ensuring:
• Technological security and resilience
• Clear governance of systems, data and applications
• Excellent support to researchers and management units
• Medium- and long-term scalability and sustainability
Main tasks and responsibilities:
The Head of the Unit assumes global responsibility for IT, Data and Digital Transformation, integrating currently fragmented areas under a single governance model:
1. Strategy & Leadership
• Define and execute the IT and digitalisation strategy aligned with IBEC’s scientific and organisational objectives
• Act as a strategic partner to the executive management team
• Translate scientific and management needs into viable technological solutions
2. Infrastructure, systems and security
• Governance of infrastructure (on-prem, cloud, HPC, networks, virtualisation, storage)
• Cybersecurity, business continuity, backups and disaster recovery
• Relationship with technology providers and consortia (CSUC, BSC, SAP, etc.)
3. Applications and platforms
• Governance and evolution of critical applications (SAP ERP, core scientific systems, workflows, licensing and access management)
• Continuous evaluation and rationalisation of the application ecosystem
• Ensure interoperability and system integration
4. Data, AI and Open Science
• Define data governance, storage and exploitation policies
• Promote data platforms and integration with HPC environments
• Introduce AI tools for research and management
• Coordinate with Open Science initiatives
5. Transformation and project governance
• Lead key digitalisation projects (cloud, identity, automation, AI, application integration)
• Establish governance, prioritisation and monitoring frameworks
• Ensure pragmatic, impact-oriented execution
6. Financial and team management
• Define and manage the IT budget
• Perform cost–benefit analysis of technology investments
• Lead and structure infrastructure, systems and data teams (currently approx. 6–8 people)
• Foster a culture of service, collaboration and continuous improvement
Key challenges
• Recovery and stabilisation of critical data
• Redesign of security, backup and resilience strategy
• Clarification of truly critical systems
• Definition of a realistic IT, Data and AI roadmap
• Integrating modern IT without disrupting the collaborative scientific culture
Requirements for candidates:
Background and experience
• Degree in Engineering (Computer Science, Telecommunications or similar)
• More than 7 years’ experience in senior IT, digital transformation or technology management roles
• Solid experience in infrastructure, systems, security and digital projects
• Experience in complex and regulated environments
• ERP experience (implementation or governance)
• Experience in research or university environments is a plus
Languages
• English: high / fluent
• Catalan: desirable
Competencies and personal style
• Mature, collaborative leadership, capable of building consensus
• Critical and analytical thinking
• Ability to communicate with scientists and non-technical profiles
• Results-driven, pragmatic and service-oriented
• Humble, approachable and professionally rigorous
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: March-April, 2026
- Working conditions:
- Open-ended contract
- Fixed salary and variable salary, depending on experience
- Hybrid model: 2 remote working days
- Working time: 37.5 hours per week
- Fridays: intensive schedule (8:00–15:00)
- Reduced working hours in summer (July–August)
- Holidays: 23 days + 9 personal days
- Continuous training and flexible remuneration
- International, high-excellence scientific environment
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 January 3rd 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: HIT_SC.
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, 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; 23 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 450 people from 35 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu
