Predoctoral Researcher - Human Modeling of Neurological Disorders

REF: 25-106_R_JO

About the research group

The position is offered jointly by the labs of Human Modeling of Neurological Disorders (PI: Dr. Alberto Ortega) and Vascular Biology (PI: Dr. Eloi Montañez), which collaborate closely to study the complex interactions between the nervous system and its microenvironment in both health and disease. Both labs are involved in projects that aim to decipher the effect of vascularization and microenvironment perturbations in the human central nervous system under physiological and pathological paradigms, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or spinal cord injury.
Our approach integrates stem human stem cell-based models and bioengineering approaches, along state-of-the-art analytical methods, including high-resolution imaging and high-throughput proteomic and transcriptomic approaches, for the identification of novel biomarkers and mechanisms of development and disease.
We collaborate with outstanding labs in the field of bioengineering, bioinformatics, nanotechnological drug delivery systems, and clinicians, in order to translate our findings into effective diagnostic and therapeutic outputs.

About the role

The candidate will use various mammalian cell culture techniques including human stem cell differentiation protocols in 2D and 3D formats, as well as primary and cell line culture systems. The candidate will also employ basic biochemical and immunodetection techniques (subcellular fractionation, protein immunoprecipitation, western blot, immunocytochemistry, and immunohistochemistry), high-throughput techniques (mass spectrometry, bulk and single cell transcriptomics) through distinct bioinformatics and imaging analysis pipelines.
The candidate is expected to be highly motivated and have good interpersonal skills to carry out highly competitive and inter-dependent research activities in collaboration with national and international teams, what will provide with a multidisciplinary training during candidate´s tenure in the laboratory.
As part of the training, the candidate is expected to aggressively apply to predoctoral fellowships or alternative funding opportunities.

Job requirements

Professional experience

• Previous experience in a biomedical research lab
  
  
• The candidate should be highly motivated and have good interpersonal skills, be able to carry out inter-dependent research activities within multiple and international teams, enjoy challenging experimental work and be willing to develop new projects

Education and training

• Candidate in possession of a Bachelor in Health Science related degrees including Biomedicine, Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Pharmacology as well as Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering or Biochemistry.
  
  
• Candidate in possession of a Master in Health Science related degrees including Biomedicine, Neuroscience, Bioinformatics
  
  
• Academic record with an average Grade > 8/10 

Technical & soft skills

• Experience in cell culture, tissue manipulation and imaging techniques
  
  
• Experience in basic molecular biology techniques including cloning, western blot and qPCR

Languages

• Good command of the English language

We will value, but not required

• Knowledge in R and/or Python programming language for data analysis

What do we offer

• No. of positions: 1
• Estimated start date: 01/10/2025
• Contract duration: 3 years

• Estimated annual gross salary: it is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay ranges
• 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  11/08/2025

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).