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 29 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 500 members and 45 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).

IRB Barcelona is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join an exciting ongoing project aimed at understanding the systemic metabolic influence that metastatic cells in breast cancer exert over the patient, and how this impacts metastatic progression and response to current therapies. Although the project is carried our in a basic research laboratory, it also has a very strong clinical perspective. Hence, it benefits from the close collaboration with clinicians and clinical oncologists working at the Oncology department of the Vall D´Hebron Hospital in Barcelona (through consortia and collaborative grants), to ensure the medical relevance of the project. Ultimately, the project aims at indentifying novel systemic metabolic nodes that when modulated would reduce metastatic aggressiveness while bousting the medical benefit of therapies.

The Stem Cell and Cancer group is an internationally renown laboratory headed by Salvador Aznar Benitah with important contributions in the past 15 years towards our understanding of the local and systemic regulation of adult stem cells in the healthy tissue, the daily systemic coordination of different tissues to ensure a healthy physiology, and how and why these are deregulated during ageing and cancer.

Key responsibilities:

• To join a vibrant, international, and collaborative group by contributing conceptually and by working at the lab.
• To join a project developed by a multidisciplinary group of basic researchers, clinicians and mathematicians that jointly work in developing the project.
• To co-write papers and contribute to applying for competitive funding.
• To tutor laboratory assistants, Masters students, and PhD students associated to the project.

You have:

• Candidate must hold a PhD degree
• Experience in animal handling and animal experimentation is a must. Candidates that do not fulfill this pre-requisite please abstain from applying.
• Background in molecular biology, different OMICS (transcriptomics, epigenetics, metabolomics and proteomics) and cell culture will be highly considered when selecting the candidate.
• Background in computational analysis of the data will be highly considered when selecting the candidate.
• Highly independent, motivated, and collaborative person.
• Good organizational and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently.
• Candidate must speak English.

What we offer:

To be a part a part of something meaningful: We are a biomedical research centre that tirelessly works to achieve a society free of diseases. Our mission is to carry out research of excellence to cure cancer and other diseases linked to ageing.

Good Working conditions: 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. A position for 6 months initially, extendable upon evaluation until October 2028. After this, the contract can be further extended up to 3 more years depending on the progression of the project.

Competitive salary: commensurate with experience and qualifications.

International Environment: Nearly 90 Postdoctoral researchers (more than a half non-Spanish nationals) are currently working at IRB Barcelona.

Multidisciplinary Research: Research of excellence at the unique interface between biology, chemistry, and structural and computational biology.

Training and Career: Postdoctoral researchers joining IRB Barcelona gain access to the Institute’s advanced research training and career development opportunities, all within in a competitive international environment. Courses and workshops on themes of particular interest to postdocs are offered regularly by the Institute.

Relocation & Visa Assistance: Trained staff provides support on visa paperwork, administrative requirements, and practical information on living and working in Barcelona, etc.

Social Life: We like to have fun. We promote several activities, like a Football League, an annual skiing trip, a Mountaineering Club, a Running Club and "Cool-off sessions", where members meet informally for drinks, snacks and scientific discussions.

Fairness: Our recruitment is open, transparent and merit-based, and all applicants compete on the same terms. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.

HOW TO APPLY & SELECTION PROCESS:  

Applications must include:

• A presentation letter describing past and current projects (no more than 1.5 pages) addressed to Prof. Dr. Salvador Aznar Benitah.
• Full CV including previous experience and technical expertise (no more than 2 pages)
• Deadline for applications: 01/10/2025 (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.