Introduction to the vacant position:
The Spatial Biotechnology Group is seeking a motivated and skilled Postdoctoral Researcher with expertise in computational biology and data science to join our team. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research dissecting how cancer cells interact with their microenvironment in response to therapeutic intervention. Our research team develops and applies novel high-throughput and spatial perturbation technologies to understand how cellular clones spatially organize within solid tumors. The successful candidate will play a key role in leading the analysis of multimodal spatial omics data across multiple projects, collaborating closely with experimental biologists.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- Develop and implement robust computational pipelines for the processing and analysis of multimodal spatial biology datasets.
- Design and apply advanced image analysis algorithms for cell segmentation, feature extraction, and debarcoding for lineage tracing.
- Statistically analyze and interpret multi-omic data to identify spatial patterns, cellular neighborhoods, and gene programs associated with drug resistance.
- Develop predictive models to infer tumor evolution and treatment response based on spatial data.
- Integrate diverse data types to build comprehensive models of the tumor microenvironment.
- Present computational findings at internal meetings and international conferences.
- Contribute to manuscript preparation.
- Collaborate closely with experimental biologists to guide experimental design and interpret results.
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- A PhD in a relevant field such as computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, or a related discipline.
- Programming proficiency in Python and/or R.
- Demonstrated experience in analyzing large-scale biological datasets (e.g., next-generation sequencing, proteomics, imaging data).
- A solid understanding of statistics and data analysis methods.
- Ability to work independently and take initiative and solve complex computational problems.
- Willingness to work in a highly multidisciplinary environment.
- Competencies and skills needed: communication, teamwork, proactivity, commitment, integrity, time management, critical and analytical thinking, precision, and focus.
- Full professional proficiency in English (written and spoken).
Advantageous:
- Prior experience with spatial proteomics, metabolomics, and/or transcriptomics data analysis.
- Experience in quantitative image analysis, computer vision, or digital pathology.
- A strong background in cancer biology or immunology.
- Experience with machine learning, deep learning frameworks, and predictive modeling.
- Familiarity with high-performance computing environments.
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: December 2025
- Working conditions:
- Full time 1.5-year contract,
- Salary according to qualifications and experience following IBEC pay scales.
- Measures to reconcile work and family life (parental leave, flexible schedule working 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 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 23rd , 2025, an online application form is available through IBEC dedicated site: https://careers.ibecbarcelona.eu/
Reference: PD_XR.
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 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
