Overview

Proyecto de Generación de Conocimiento by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities

The Targeted Therapeutics & NanodevicesGroup at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is looking for a Pre-doctoral Researcher to conduct her/his predoctoral training on the development and characterization of novel multifunctional biotherapeutics capable of crossing biological barriers in the body to efficiently reach their targets, using state-of-the-art bio-nano-technological and pharmaceutical sciences principles and methods.

The aim of the project is to develop novel therapeutics for the treatment of fatal neurodegenerative diseases due to congenital enzymatic defects, easily translatable into broader applications.

The PhD project will be conducted in the framework of the project entitled: "New isoform-dependent brain-targeting for enzyme therapy" (BRAINZYME).

This fellowship is associated with the research project Generación de Conocimiento, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

Main tasks and responsibilities

Help design multimodular biotherapeutics with capabilities such as pro-drug protection, specific targeting, precise transport, controlled release, and therapeutic activity.

Characterize and optimize these biotherapeutics in vitro by assessing their structure, functionality, and stability under storage and physiological conditions.

Examine their performance in 2D and 3D systems, including chemical and genetic disease models, multi-cultures and organ-on-a-chip devices.

Investigate the biodistribution as well as therapeutic and unwanted side effects of these biotherapeutics in vivo using animal models.

Implement quantitative/qualitative methods and analysis to obtain strong conclusions.

Keep updated records of the implemented protocols, results, analyses, and data.

Share/resent data with/to assigned supervisor(s), lab members and pertinent collaborators.

Participate in the preparation/writing/presentation of scientific results for designated conferences, specialized journals and possible patent application processes.

Help others with general lab-keeping tasks, such as inventory logs, ordering, instrument maintenance, space organization, collaborations, safety regulations, and maintaining a high scientific standard and collegial atmosphere for proper well-being of the lab members.

Requirements for candidates

Essential

:

BSc and MSc in biology, biotechnology, biomedical engineering, biomedicine or similar areas.

Candidates should have been accepted in an official doctoral programme by the time the fellowship is activated, preferably by December 2025 (under Spanish Law).

By this time, they must have obtained a university degree and a master's degree; or must hold an official university qualification from a country of (or officially accepted by) the European Higher Education Area with a minimum of 300 ECTS of official university studies, of which at least 60 are at master's level (or equivalent).

Candidates who expect to be awarded such degrees by October 2025 are eligible to apply.

Candidates must not yet have been awarded a doctoral degree.

Candidates must not have held a Ph.D. contract exceeding twelve months by the beginning of the fellowship.

Candidates must have a strong commitment to scientific research and an excellent academic record.

Candidates must have a good knowledge of English at oral/writing level for daily use.

Good skills in communication, individual and team work, flexibility to adjust to scientific requirements, proactivity, integrity, time management, critical and analytical thinking, precision, organization, and focus.

Preferable/advantageous

:

Previous research experience for 1-year minimum in a continuous project.

Experience regarding recombinant biotechnology, cell biology, and/or pharmaceutical sciences techniques, including nucleic acid isolation, PCR, sequencing, transfection, SDS-PAGE, Western blot, fluorescence microscopy, flow cytometry, cell culture, ELISA, biochemical measurements, protein handling, and/or in vivo models.

Previous knowledge on image analysis, statistical tools, writing, and presentation software.

Demonstrated scientific writing/communication skills.

Previous mobility experience.

For the conditions, requirements, details of the research project and other relevant data, please check the general call Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2024 by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (note: no URL provided here).

We Offer

Number of available positions: 1

Predoctoral researcher contract: 4 years

Starting date: As of January 1st, 2026, although some lag time is available if bureaucratically needed (to be confirmed, based on the resolution of the call Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2024 by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities).

For labour conditions, please check the call at IBEC site (no URL included here).

IBEC ensures equality of access to professional development opportunities irrespective of employment status, length at IBEC or other factors.

A stimulating, interdisciplinary, multi-cultural, gender-balanced, and high-quality international scientific environment.

Induction programme to facilitate incorporation at IBEC and additional support for foreigners to obtain Visa-working permits and to install in Barcelona.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted before the deadline.

Reference: FPI_SM.

For questions regarding your application, contact ******.

Principles and equal opportunity

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, diversity, and inclusion: IBEC is an equal opportunity employer and supports diversity and inclusion across gender, nationality, religion, disabilities, age, sexual identity or cultural and socioeconomic background.

IBEC follows GDPR and data protection requirements in the recruitment 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 a Severo Ochoa Research Centre for excellence.

IBEC is located within the Barcelona Science Park and manages extensive facilities and a diverse team of researchers from multiple countries.

Grant PID2024-156424OB-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and FEDER, EU.

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