Introduction to the vacant position:
The Quasi-Living Materials Research Group is looking for an outstanding polymer chemist to join as a postdoctoral researcher. The contract will be within the framework of the Project PhagoSynCell (ERC Consolidator Grant), in which our ambition is to create synthetic cells capable of performing a rudimentary form of artificial phagocytosis, and to use them as a new class of antimicrobials against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, one of the biggest challenges of contemporary medicine. This is fundamental, curiosity-driven research at the frontier of polymer chemistry and soft matter. We are looking for an independent scientist who will take ownership of a research question and drive it forward, not for someone to execute a predefined plan.
The research project: “Engineering of Novel Antimicrobial Phagocytic Vesicles
In the context of the ERC PhagoSynCell we are developing vesicles capable of capturing, engulfing and killing bacteria. These vesicles are built from supramolecular amphiphilic comb polymers (iCPs, 10.1002/advs.202200617 and 10.1002/advs.202411497) that self-assemble in water into vesicles, termed combisomes. This postdoctoral project sits at the interface between polymer synthesis and soft matter. You will take the lead on its most demanding synthetic and mechanistic questions: the design and synthesis of novel iCPs, and a quantitative understanding of how their topology, architecture and composition govern self-assembly, membrane mechanics and the engulfment of bacteria. The objectives are to: (1) increase combisome stability in biological media, (2) maximize engulfment of pathogens in biological media, and (3) unravel the underlying molecular design rules.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- Design and synthesize libraries of comb polymers (covalent and supramolecular) using organic synthesis and controlled radical polymerization, guided by molecular and self-assembly simulations.
- Combine microscopy, microfluidics, and physicochemical/biophysical tools to study self-assembly and membrane properties, and to dissect how molecular structure, topology and architecture encode vesicle properties.
- Identify which molecular features enhance vesicle stability in biological media.
- Engineer membrane properties to achieve engulfment of pathogens, working with our partners who are specialists in antimicrobial resistance.
- Establish structure–function relationships between molecular parameters and the ability to engulf.
- Lead the project scientifically: formulate hypotheses, design experiments, interpret results critically and propose new directions. Publish your findings as lead author, present them at international conferences, and contribute to the supervision of junior researchers.
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- An excellent, ambitious, hard-working and resilient scientist who loves interdisciplinary fundamental research and its applications in medicine.
- PhD in polymer chemistry, or in organic chemistry with a strong polymer focus, is essential.
- A track record of publications in polymerization and polymer synthesis, ideally combining polymerization and self-assembly.
- Solid expertise in macromolecular characterization by NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, SEC, DSC, TGA, TEM.
- Strong interest in soft matter and self-assembly: you want to understand not only how to make a polymer, but how its architecture determines what it does.
- A drive to develop your own research line within the project: to open new questions, not only to answer those already posed.
- Scientific ownership and independence: proactive, critical thinking, and the drive to define problems, lead a project and deliver results.
- High level of spoken and written English.
- Alignment with the team’s values and vision.
Advantageous:
- Experience in supramolecular self-assembly (e.g., vesicles, coacervates) and its characterization.
- Experience in optical microscopy, including Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, as well as in cryo-TEM and AFM.
- Additional valuable experience or knowledge: soft matter, nanoscience, biophysics, scattering techniques, microbiology, bottom-up synthetic biology, or membrane systems.
- Experience in supervising students and in writing grant or fellowship applications (e.g., MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships).
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.
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: 01/12/2026
- Working conditions:
- Full time (37.5 hrs/week), open-ended contract for scientific and technical activities, linked to the project and budget duration.
- 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 30/10/2026 an online application form is available through IBEC dedicated site: https://careers.ibecbarcelona.eu/ including an original cover letter for the specific position stating why you want this position and why you are the right candidate for this position. Please also include the contact of two supporting references willing to be contacted.
Only those applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated.
Reference: PR-Syn-CR-E.
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 UPC Besós Campus, with an annual budget of 21 Mio€; 4.400 square meters of facilities; 25 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 450 people from 40 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu
