Introduction to the vacant position:
The Smart Nano-Bio-Devices Group is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work on the development of self-propelled nanobots for translational approaches within biomedicine.
The contract will be within the framework of the ERC Consolidator Grant named iNanoSwarms which aims at studying the collective behaviour of active nanoparticles (swarming intelligence), their cooperative motion, and their application as drug delivery systems. For this position, we are extremely interested in motivated and experienced reserachers from the field of nanomedicine, drug delivery, nanoparticles, and related fields. The group has a strong background in nanomotors, active matter but we are seeking for a person who can complement our skills and know-how moving forward and/or leading the different research lines or opening new ones in the application of nanobots in biomedicine. Examples of applications of nanobots can be found in the recent publications of the group (see Simo, Serra et al. Nature Nanotech 2024; Ruiz et al. Small 2024 or Serra et al. ACS Nano 2024).
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- Synthesis, functionalization and characterization of inorganic (e.g., mesoporous silica, gold nanoparticles, iron oxide nanoparticles) and/or organic (e.g., lipidic, polymeric, hydrogel-based) nanocarriers.
- Design and optimization of nanoparticle drug loading process with the aim of developing nanobots as active smart drug delivery systems.
- Contribution to the development of new combinations of nanoparticles and therapeutic agents for their use as nanobots in biomedicine.In vitro evaluation of the therapeutical effect and mechanism of action of the drug-loaded nanobots under different biological environments.
- Guide bachelor, master, and PhD students.
- Support to the Group Leader in the funding acquisition by means of fellowships, grants or project.
- Be responsible of the sub-team dealing with nanobots for nano-biomedicine.
- Interaction and reporting within the group and with private foundations and companies.
- Actively working in the development of new ideas that give rise to future and/or evolution of projects and generation of intellectual property.
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- PhD in the field of pharmacy, chemistry, biotechnology, nanomedicine, biochemistry, or similar.
- Experience in nanoparticle synthesis and functionalization of biocompatible and biodegradable inorganic and organic nanocarriers.
- Experience in drug loading and drug delivery studies with therapeutic small molecules.
- Knowledge on common characterization techniques (NMR, FTIR, DLS, Z-potential, GPC, HPLC chromatography, SEM, TEM, AFM, spectroscopy equipments, etc)
- High level of English.
- Excellent publication record in the fields of nanomaterials, nanoparticles, nanomedicine and related.
- Communication, Teamwork, Proactivity, Commitment, Collegiality, Integrity, Critical and Analytical thinking.
Advantageous:
- Experience in nanomotors, self-propelled particles, active matter.
- Experience in direct supervision of students.
- Demonstrated acquisition of funding or competitive grants.
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: September / October 2024
- Working conditions:
- Full time 12 months contract. Measures to reconcile work and family life (maternity and paternity 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 15th September 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: PD_NM_SS
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
