Introduction to the vacant position:
The Molecular Imaging for Precision Medicine (MIPMED) is looking for a Predoctoral Researcher to participate in the ongoing research projects of the group. The contract will be within the framework of the ERC Starting Grant project «Lifetime Metabolomics for Paediatric Liver Cancer Detection and Therapy Assessment Using Organ-on-Chip Platforms (LIFETIME)».
We are seeking a motivated and skilled student in Physics, Chemistry or Engineering to develop and implement advanced MRSI pulse sequences to study cell metabolism using hyperpolarized magnetic resonance. This position is part of a multidisciplinary project integrating biochemistry, physics and biomedical imaging to develop and apply advanced metabolic imaging methods.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- Contribute to the design, optimisation and implementation of DNP and/or PHIP protocols for NMR/MRI experiments.
- Develop, test and refine pulse sequences for hyperpolarised signal acquisition.
- Plan and perform experiments, including sample preparation, hardware setup, calibration and data collection.
- Maintain accurate experimental records and document results in a reproducible format.
- Process and analyse spectroscopic and imaging data using quantitative models and reconstruction algorithms.
- Develop or adapt scripts (e.g. in MATLAB, Python) to facilitate data analysis workflows.
- Prepare scientific reports, publications and presentations to disseminate research outcomes at conferences and seminars.
- Collaborate effectively within a multidisciplinary team and contribute to mentoring undergraduate or master’s students when appropriate.
- Follow laboratory safety procedures and regulatory guidelines related to hyperpolarised agents and MRI operation.
- Participate actively in weekly lab meetings and other research group activities.
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- BSc and MSc in Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Physical Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
- Strong programming skills relevant to magnetic resonance research (e.g., MATLAB, Python, C++, or vendor-specific environments such as Bruker TopSpin, Agilent VnmrJ, or Varian).
- Proven ability to design, conduct and interpret NMR experiments.
- Competencies and skills: Excellent communication and teamworking skills, proactivity, commitment, critical and analytical thinking
- High level of English
Advantageous:
- Experience with spectrometer hardware configuration, RF coil design or adaptation, and troubleshooting of NMR/MRI instrumentation is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated experience in hyperpolarization techniques, including but not limited to Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) and/or Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization (PHIP).
- Experience in NMR and MRI pulse sequence development, optimization, and implementation.
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills for processing and modeling magnetic resonance data.
- Capacity to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, including chemists, engineers, and biomedical researchers.
- Excellent scientific writing and presentation skills, as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and conference contributions.
- International experience
- Experience in scientific writing (papers)
Competencies and Skills:
We value not only technical expertise but also the demonstration of core competencies such as Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration, Commitment, Proactivity, Integrity, and Critical and Analytical Thinking.
In any case, persons who already hold a PhD degree from any Spanish or foreign university, or those who have received a grant for pre-doctoral training within the framework of the State Plan for Research, Development and Technological Innovation or any of the previous National Plans, may not be recruited.
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: 16 November 2025
- Working conditions:
- Full-time 4-year contract.
- 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 07/11/2025 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-IM.
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; 21 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 400 people from 35 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu
