Introduction to the vacant position:
The Biomaterials for Neural Regeneration Research Group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is seeking a highly motivated Research in Training candidate to join an ambitious research program focused on the development of advanced human organoid-based models for regenerative medicine.
The selected candidate will contribute to the generation, and characterization of human vascular organoids and spinal cord organoids derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs). The project aims to develop next-generation multicellular human tissue models that recapitulate the cellular complexity and architecture of the human spinal cord and its vascular system, providing powerful platforms to study development, disease, and tissue regeneration.
During the first year, the candidate will receive advanced training and mentorship while preparing applications for highly competitive national and international PhD fellowships. Upon successful funding acquisition, the candidate will continue towards a four-year PhD focused on engineering complex human organoid systems for neural regeneration.
The project offers the possibility of expanding these models through the integration of skeletal muscle organoids and other tissue-specific organoids, creating interconnected multi-organ systems that better mimic human physiology and neuromuscular interactions.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
- Generation and maintenance of human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs).
- Differentiation of hiPSCs into vascular and spinal cord organoids.
- Molecular, cellular, and functional characterization of organoid models using advanced imaging and omics approaches.
- Development of fused organoid systems combining vascular and neural tissues.
- Exploration of complex multicellular platforms integrating spinal cord, vascular, and skeletal muscle organoids.
- Evaluation of biomaterials and regenerative strategies using human organoid-based models.
- Analysis and interpretation of experimental data.
- Preparation of scientific reports, fellowship applications, and research publications.
- Participation in national and international scientific meetings.
Requirements for candidates:
Essential:
- MSc degree in Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Bioengineering, Biomedicine, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, Regenerative Medicine, or related disciplines.
- Strong interest in stem cell biology, organoid technologies, regenerative medicine, and tissue engineering.
- Excellent communication and teamwork skills.
- High level of English (written and spoken).
- Motivation to pursue a PhD and apply for competitive doctoral fellowships.
Advantageous:
- Previous experience in mammalian cell culture.
- Experience with stem cells, organoids, molecular biology, bioengineering, or biomaterials.
- Knowledge of microscopy, image analysis, transcriptomics, or bioinformatics.
- Previous research experience demonstrated through internships, thesis projects, or scientific publications.
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:
- One full-time Research in Training position.
- Initial one-year contract with the objective of securing competitive PhD funding.
- An international, multidisciplinary, and highly collaborative research environment.
- 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 5th of July 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: RT-ZA.
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.
