Introduction to the vacant position:
The Molecular Imaging for Precision Medicine (MIPMED) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to 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)”.
The ideal candidate will be an NMR/MRI Physicist or Chemist with a strong background in hyperpolarization techniques, such as Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) and/or Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization (PHIP). Expertise in programming, pulse sequence development and implementation is essential. The candidate must be able to design and execute experiments to improve hyperpolarization methods and their applications in biomedical research.
This role requires strong organizational and communication skills, the ability to work in multidisciplinary and international teams, and a commitment to supporting cutting-edge scientific research.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- Design, optimize, and implement DNP and/or PHIP protocols for NMR/MRI experiments.
- Develop and validate pulse sequences tailored to hyperpolarized signal acquisition.
- Plan and perform experiments, including hardware setup, calibration, and data acquisition.
- Maintain detailed records of procedures and results.
- Process and interpret spectroscopic and imaging data, applying quantitative models and reconstruction algorithms.
- Develop scripts to streamline analysis workflows.
- Prepare scientific publications and present findings at conferences and seminars.
- Work within a multidisciplinary team and assist in training junior researchers or students.
- Ensure adherence to laboratory safety protocols and regulatory guidelines for hyperpolarized agents.
- Participating in weekly lab meetings
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- PhD in Physics, Engineering, Physical Chemistry, or a closely related discipline with a focus on NMR/MRI.
- Demonstrated experience in hyperpolarization techniques, including but not limited to Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP) and/or Parahydrogen-Induced Polarization (PHIP).
- Proficiency in NMR and MRI pulse sequence development, optimization, and implementation.
- 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 experiments aimed at improving hyperpolarization methodologies and advancing their biomedical applications.
- 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.
- 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.
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: 1 October 2025
- Working conditions:
- Full time 2-year contract
- Salary commensurate with previous experience.
- 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 31/08/2025 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: PR-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:
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.
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
