With the aim to recruit research staff for the implementation of one of the sixteen «Collaborative Projects» selected in Catalonia within the framework of the Complementary Plan for Biotechnology in Catalonia, this selection process is opened. This Complementary Plan is co-funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the Generalitat de Catalunya under the C17.I1 of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan (PRTR)
- Introduction to vacant position:
The Biology of Infection Systems group, located at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, is interested in understanding the fundamental mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis. Mainly, we focus on identifying and characterizing protein complexes relevant to infection to understand their function and regulation. Our goal is to use this knowledge to design new antibiotics, particularly against resistant bacteria.
The group is looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work on the screening of new antimicrobial compounds through the design of a new antibiotic screening platform and the determination of antimicrobial activities.
The contract will be within the framework of the “Screening of new precision antibiotics for the treatment of multiresistant infections” (ABPATHFINDER) project prioritized by the IBEC under the “Plan Complementario de Biotecnología aplicada a la Salud” (biotechnology applied to health).
This Plan Complementario is co-financed by the Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación and the Generalitat de Catalunya, with funds from the European Union NextGenerationEU (PRTR-C17.I1)
2. The successful candidate will develop research involving:
The selected candidate will join the laboratory of Biology of Infection Systems, belonging to the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), under the supervision of Dr. Marc Torrent.
The selected candidate is expected to conduct high-quality research, including the following responsibilities (i) writing research project proposals, (ii) preparing, writing, and reviewing scientific articles, and (iii) supervising undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, as appropriate to their experience.
The main tasks to be performed within the project will be:
- Design and develop a new screening platform for antimicrobial compounds against specific targets.
- Supervise the screening of chemical libraries in bacterial systems and analyze the results obtained.
- Determine compound binding affinities using biophysical techniques.
- Determine antimicrobial activities and cellular cytotoxicity.
The selected candidate will perform the work mainly at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. He/She may stay for short periods at the Vall d’Hebrón Hospital in Barcelona or at the Reina Sofía Hospital in Córdoba.
3. Requirements for candidates
Essential
- PhD. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Microbiology, or related disciplines
- Accredited experience in research, mainly in the design and evaluation of antimicrobial compounds.
- Competencies and skills: Communication, Teamwork and collaboration, Commitment, Proactivity, Integrity, Critical and Analytical thinking.
- High level of English.
Advantageous:
- Experience in the determination of antimicrobial activities (MIC) and cytotoxicity assays
- Previous experience in (i) screening of compound libraries, especially in bacteria, (ii) experience in cloning and protein expression, and (iii) biophysical techniques
- Knowledge of bioinformatics and statistics in the field of life sciences, especially in the management of R and/or Python languages.
We Offer:
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: Between 1st of April and the 16th of June 2023
- Working conditions:
- Full time 18-month contract. Attractive salary
- Measures to reconcile work and family life (maternity and paternity leave, flexible schedule working hours, teleworking, 23 working days of paid holidays, 9 leave days for personal matters, among others).
- Stimulating, interdisciplinary research and high-quality international scientific environment.
- 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.
- 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 December 22nd 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: PPCC-ABPATHFINDER
If you have any further questions regarding your application or the application process, please get in touch with us at jobs@ibecbarcelona.eu
If you have any questions regarding a project or the Complementary Plan, please get in touch with us at planescomplementariossalud@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).
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.”
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 13 Mio€; 3.800 square meters of facilities; 21 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 350 people from 30 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu
