Created in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia) and the University of Barcelona, IRB Barcelona is a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence—a seal that was awarded in 2011.

The institute is devoted to conducting research of excellence in biomedicine and to transferring results to clinical practice, thus improving people’s quality of life, while simultaneously promoting the training of outstanding researchers, technology transfer, and public communication of science. Its 28 laboratories and seven core facilities address basic questions in biology and are orientated to diseases such as cancer, metastasis, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and rare conditions.

IRB Barcelona is an international centre that hosts 400 members and 35 nationalities. It is located in the Barcelona Science Park. IRB Barcelona forms part of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) and the “Xarxa de Centres de Recerca de Catalunya” (CERCA).

We are looking for a highly motivated Bioimage Analyst with strong experience in state-of-the-art computational solutions for image-based analysis.

The successful candidate should have proven capability to develop custom solutions and workflows within the context of biomedical research, a strong interest towards scientific and technological support, and affinity towards community-based efforts and open-source software in Bioimage Analysis.

The successful candidate will unravel, at the institutional level and within ADMCF, most technological aspects related to research activities that involve processing, analysis and visualization of bioimage data, mainly with, but not limited to, advanced microscopy image data.

The position is a full time, onsite employment that requires extended know-how and skills in all steps of Bioimage analysis, e.g. signal processing (1D, 2D, … nD), image data restoration (e.g. filtering, deconvolution) for a wide range of imaging technologies, machine learning solutions, large (>TB) image data processing, live imaging data analysis, nD image visualization, and more…

The technological and service activity associated with the position will encompass the use, development and maintenance of technological components such as bioimage analysis workflows, Open-source Software collection and components, IT technology and hardware, artificial intelligence, FAIR data and image data management.

Background, working environment:

IRB Barcelona’s microscopy facility, the Advanced Digital Microscopy Core facility (ADMCF), was built in 2008 and plays a leading role in the field of Bioimaging, both at national and international level. The facility hosts 13 microscopy systems ranging from state-of-the-art commercial 3D imaging technologies (confocal/multiphoton/spinning disk/High-throughput screening/TCSPC/Super-resolution) to custom-developed technologies (e.g. lightsheet macroscopy and microscopy, oblique plane illumination, laser nanosurgery, …), to support a large community of scientists requiring advanced Bioimaging solutions.

In 2010, ADMCF opened the first bioimage analysis position to develop custom analysis solutions for life scientists, both internal and external, within a core facility in Spain. Since 2013, the unit started leading international efforts to promote and develop the role of bioimage analysts in Life Science, in particular with the establishment and coordination of NEUBIAS (COST Action, 2016-2021), the leading European network of bioimage analysts.

DUTIES: 

• Bioimage analysis workflows and software: design, combine, maintain and often transfer robust and reproducible bioimage analysis workflows using numerous software environments, mostly open source (e.g. ImageJ/Fiji, CellProfiler, Ilastik, Napari, QuPath, …) and occasionally commercial ones (e.g. Imaris or microscopes proprietary solutions).

• Coding/programming: develop custom scripts in a variety of open source software environments (Image J macro, Python Matlab, …) to design, expand or integrate image analysis workflows.

• Develop new or adapt existing algorithms to provide new solutions to life science problems in cell, developmental biology and biomedical research.

• Project management: contribute to scientists’ projects design, from consultation to protocols/method design, follow up and reporting methodology.

• Training activities: deliver training modules in local and offsite courses (Master, Phd/postdoc level, conferences), prepare training material in multiple formats (manuals, audiovisual, …).

• Collaborative and team work: mentor and guide team members, microscopy users and other facilities’ staff to foster knowledge exchange in bioimage analysis.

• Keep abreast with advanced technology: test, benchmark and integrate new developments in the field of Bioimage Analysis to make them readily usable and to foster research competitiveness of scientists through the use of cutting edge technological solutions.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:

Must Have – Required

• Experience:
• Education: PhD or equivalent in Life science, Physics, Engineering, Maths or Computer Science.
• Work experience: Min. 5 years of demonstrated experience in a similar role with track records.
• Teaching experience in Bioimage Analysis (or similar) in a research environment.
• Bioimage Data Management experience.

• Knowledge: Signal processing theory, image restoration algorithms, machine learning-based environments and solutions for bioimage data, concepts and applications of image analysis in Life Science and/or Biomedical/Medical research.

• Skills:
• Proficiency in at least two of the following programming languages: Matlab, Python, Java, C/C++.
• Proficiency in the use of ImageJ/Fiji, including Macro language.
• Strong communication skills, service-oriented, multi-tasking and ability to handle and prioritize multiple parallel projects of variable duration.
• Fluent in English.

Desirable

• Experience:
• Large volume and/or multidimensional datasets (>TB): processing, analysis and visualization,
• Experience in developing and/or maintaining open source tools/software/components,
• Use and development of Cell Tracking algorithms and tools,
• Use and manipulation of Image Analysis libraries (e.g. ImgLib2, itk, etc…)
• Experience with HPC Computing,
• Development of Deep Learning algorithms, workflows and environments,
• Use and/or development of software solutions for correlative imaging.

• Knowledge: Optical technology and advanced microscopy, correlative and multimodal imaging concepts and tools, image acquisition hardware control, Electronics.

• Skills: proficient with Image compression algorithms, alternative scientific programming languages (e.g. R, Bean Shell, C Sharp, etc..), development of ImageJ plugins, Labview and/or MicroManager, Arduino programming, Electronic design.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ENTITLEMENTS:

• Working conditions: Permanent position. Employed in compliance with Spanish legislation and regulations under a full-time contract. Employees receive the benefits of the Spanish Social Security system covering sickness, maternity/paternity leave and injuries at work.

• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.

• International Environment: The opportunity to join a prestigious, diverse and inclusive international research institution and to become a member of an established Bioimaging core facility that promotes cutting-edge technology development.

• Benefits: Continuous training in a high-quality environment with unique professional career opportunities.

HOW TO APPLY & SELECTION PROCESS:

Applications for the above opening should include a Full CV, Motivation Letter and 3 Referees’ Contacts.

• Deadline for applications: 27/01/2023 (If no suitable candidate is found, the deadline will be extended) 
• Number of positions available: 1
• Selection process:
  • Pre-selection: Will be based on CV, motivation letter & experience.
  • Interviews: Short-listed candidates will be interviewed.
  • Job offer: Will be sent to the successful candidate after the interview. 

Note: The strengths and weaknesses of the applications will be provided upon request.