Predoctoral Researcher - Neurologic Diseases and Neurogenetics

Ref.: 24-087_R_MP

About the research group

The Neurological Diseases and Neurogenetics research group comprises various clinical researchers and areas of the HUB's neurology service. In 2023, the group established its own laboratory, the "NeuroLab," where clinical expertise is combined with basic and translational research to develop new and interdisciplinary research lines for the different clinical fields included in the neurology service. These fields include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, neuro-oncology, and more. For further information about the group, please visit: https://www.neurohublab.com.

About the role

We are seeking a highly motivated and talented doctoral candidate to develop a thesis project in the fields of molecular biology and neurodegenerative diseases, with a primary focus on the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD) disease spectrum. The project aims to investigate the underlying molecular alterations in the ALS-FTD spectrum, focusing on the role of neuroinflammation in the disease. The research will utilize a range of molecular biology techniques and approaches, including cell cultures and cell lines, animal models, and post-mortem tissue and biofluid samples from ALS-FTD patients.

Main Research Objectives:

1. Biomarker Study: Investigate putative biomarkers related to the inflammatory profile of neurodegenerative disorders within the ALS-FTD spectrum.
2. Molecular Mechanisms: Explore the altered molecular mechanisms underlying ALS-FTD spectrum disorders.
3. Inflammatory Profile Impact: Examine how the inflammatory profile affects the ALS-FTD spectrum disease.
4. Pathway Modulation and Drug Testing: Modulate reported pathways and test novel drugs in in vitro and in vivo models.

Supervision:

• Dra. Mónica Povedano Panadés: Head of the "Motor Neuron Disease Unit" at Bellvitge Hospital, a reputed clinician and world reference in ALS.
• Dr. Pol Andrés Benito: PhD in Biomedicine, Sara Borrell Researcher at IRB-Lleida, tight collaborator of the "NeuroHubLab," and expert in ALS and FTD.

Institutional Affiliations:

The Motor Neuron Disease Unit is a national and European reference unit for ALS and AME, accredited by CSUR (Centros, Servicios y Unidades de Referencia) and a member of the TRICALS European consortium.

Funding:

The current PhD position and project are funded by the Catalan ALS association, "Fundació Catalana d’ELA Miquel Valls," supported by generous donations from patients and other members of society. Candidates must strive to meet the expectations set forth by these efforts.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct literature reviews and critical analyses
• Formulate hypotheses and design experiments
• Implement experimental designs and analyze data
• Interpret results and prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals

Experiments:

• In vitro studies with cultured cells and tissues
• In vivo studies using rodent models to characterize disease mechanisms and treatments
• Use post-mortem tissue and biofluid samples from ALS-FTD patients to deeply characterize molecular alterations
• Employ various -omic approaches
• Study additional neurological disorders, primarily neurodegenerative disorders, during the thesis period

For further information about the research group, please visit: https://www.neurohublab.com

The successful candidate will undertake a range of tasks essential to completing a Ph.D. thesis. These include conducting literature reviews and critical analyses, formulating hypotheses, designing and implementing experiments, analyzing data, interpreting results, and preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Experimental Responsibilities:

• In Vitro Studies: Conduct studies on cultured cells and tissues.
• In Vivo Studies: Use rodent models to characterize and define disease mechanisms and treatments.
• Post-Mortem Analyses: Utilize post-mortem tissue and biofluid samples from ALS-FTD patients to investigate underlying molecular alterations.
• Omic Approaches: Employ various omic techniques to enhance the depth of research.

Additionally, the thesis development may encompass the study of other neurological disorders, with a primary focus on neurodegenerative diseases, throughout the research period.

Job requirements

Professional experience

• Not required

Education and training

• A degree in biochemistry, biotechnology, or biomedicine
• An official master's degree is mandatory for enrollment in the PhD program

Technical & soft skills

• Demonstrated strong teamwork abilities with lab and clinical colleagues, excellent interpersonal skills, high motivation, and commitment
• Familiarity with lab software such as GraphPad, Microsoft Office, R, and Fiji
• Programming skills are a plus

Languages

• Demonstrated proficiency in English (B2 or higher) and/or Spanish (B2 or higher)

We will value, but not require

• A University degree with a grade point average of 8/10 or higher
• A master's degree in neuroscience
• Prior experience in laboratory techniques for molecular biology and/or working with animal models
• Publications and/or attendance at congresses

What do we offer

• No. of positions: 1
• Estimated start date: 01/10/2024
• Contract duration: 3 years
• Estimated annual gross salary: 21.000 €
• You will be part of a multicultural team.We have a fun loving and friendly international work environment.
• Flexible working schedule - We know you have a life outside of work and we will work with you to make sure it's kept that way.
• Possibility to work some days in remote - Teleworking
• 26 working days of holiday per year
• System of accumulated hours for employees, from 88 to 104 hours depending on the year (11 to 13 working days), to attend to personal matters.
• Paid leave package
• Benefits of constant training are offered
• We offer and promote diverse and inclusive conditions. Applicants are made free from any discrimination. Specifically IDIBELL works to improve gender equality in all areas with the aim of achieving gender balance, but maintaining the most scrupulous respect to any choice at the level of gender identity. Please express yourself freely, safely and non-binarily, if that's the case.

Deadline: Please submit your application by 01/09/2024

Submission

Please submit your application, including your CV, degree and master's records, and letter of interest/cover letter, to Dra. Mónica Povedano and Dr. Pol Andrés Benito.

Selection procedure

1. Selection of CVs: CVs will be reviewed to identify those that meet the specified requirements. Applicants who do not fulfill the criteria outlined in the candidate profile will not advance to the next phase.
2. Evaluation of CVs: To advance to the interview phase, candidates must achieve a minimum score of 60 out of 100 points. The evaluation comprises the curriculum vitae (80 points - assessed on alignment with the job role, experience, relevant skills, publications, conference participation, etc.) and the cover letter (20 points - assessed on motivation, attitude, and relevant extracurricular skills).
3. Personal Interviews: Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in personal interviews.
4. Final Selection: Following the interviews, the final candidate will be selected based on overall performance.

Data protection notice

In compliance with the obligations established in the General Regulation of Data Protection (RGPD), which is the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the Parliament and of the Council, of April 27, 2016, and the Organic Law 3/2018, of December 5, Protection of Personal Data and guarantee of digital rights, it is reported that the Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), CIF G58863317, with address Av. Granvia de l'Hospitalet, 199-203, 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, will process your personal data, as the controller, to apply for the position, maintain communication concerning the status of the candidature, to access the delivered CV; to compare that your data is in accordance with the offers announced by IDIBELL and to verify, where appropriate, that the information provided is accurate.

You can find more information in our Privacy Policy at https://idibell.cat/en/privacy-policy-2/, request more information about the data processing carried out and exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion, opposition, portability, limitation of processing by sending a request at email: dataprotection@idibell.cat. If you consider that you have not obtained satisfaction in exercising your rights, you may submit a claim to Catalan Data Protection Authority.

Our institute

IDIBELL is a research center that integrates the biomedical research of the Bellvitge University Hospital (HUB), the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), and the University of Barcelona in the Bellvitge Campus (UB), and the Viladecans Hospital (HV). The research focuses of IDIBELL are cancer, neuroscience, translational medicine and regenerative medicine. Research, innovation and society are the pivots on which researchers work every day in order to improve the quality of life of citizens.

Observations

The 'HR Excellence in Research' award represents IDIBELL’s commitment to the implementation of Human Resources policies, which oversee the attracting and development of talent in an open, transparent, and based on personal merit, in alignment with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment Researchers (Charter and Code).

IDIBELL is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the implementation of open, transparent and merit-based recruitment (OTMR).