IRB Barcelona seeks to recruit a Project Manager & Industry Liaison (Research Assistant) to join the lab of Dr. Núria López-Bigas at the IRB Barcelona.

We are looking for a motivated individual with teamwork skills to join Dr. Núria López-Bigas team focused on the study of cancer from a genomics perspective. The lab is particularly interested in the study of mutational processes in human cells, the identification of cancer driver mutations, genes and pathways across tumor types, and the study of their potential as therapeutic targets. We are developing and implementing bioinformatics tools with translational applications in precision oncology. The candidate will perform project management tasks liaising the development team with Industry needs in the Pharma and Biotech sectors within the EU collaborative project CGI-Clinics. The candidate will be part of a collaborative multidisciplinary team of bioinformaticians, project managers, biologists.

The BBGLab is a strong interdisciplinary and international research team with unique expertise in the analysis of tumor genomics data. Publications in http://bbglab.irbbarcelona.org

You will act as the vital bridge between the scientific research team of CGI-Clinics at IRB Barcelona and industrial stakeholders. Your mission is to translate complex genomic data capabilities into functional requirements for a CGI prototype that meets professional standards for medical-industry applications such as drug repurposing, therapy development and others, while simultaneously scouting market opportunities and taking part of the CGI-Clinics EU-funded project.

This position is cofinanced by the project “Data-driven cancer genome interpretation for personalised cancer treatment” from the European Commission (Acronimo: CGI-Clinics, Grant Agreement: 101057509).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

1. User Engagement & Prototype Co-Creation

• Hold deep-dive meetings with potential industry users to extract pain points and functional needs.

• Synthesize user feedback into actionable technical requirements for the development team through presentations, formal documentation, and sprint meetings.

• Manage and monitor the development of the CGI prototype, ensuring technical progress aligns with the practical needs of industry partners.

• Monitor the refinement of developments in CGI to ensure the final product is fit-for-purpose for clinical and industrial settings.

2. Valorization & Strategic Partnerships

• Assist in identifying and evaluating how CGI-Clinics results can be most effectively translated into market solutions adapted to industry.

• Act as a dedicated point of contact for pharmaceutical and biotech partners, facilitating a smooth dialogue between the CGI-Clinics and external stakeholders.

• Contribute to the prospection of industrial partnerships to help validate and pilot the technologies developed at CGI-Clinics.

• Support the team in showcasing the potential impact of CGI to external stakeholders and potential collaborators.

3. Project Management

• Support business development activities and reporting of the EU-funded CGI-Clinics project, ensuring all activities align with IRB Barcelona’s coordination standards.

• Track tasks, milestones, and KPIs to ensure the project remains on schedule and within scope.

• Contribute to the preparation of official EU project reports and technical deliverables or contribute to funding proposals.

• Liaise with internal stakeholders of the project for specialized tasks, including regulatory compliance and industrial property rights protection.

YOU HAVE

• Experience: Strong scientific background (PhD or equivalent experience in a biomedical field).

  Proven notions and interest in innovation management and technology transfer to the private

  sector (e.g. biotech, pharma).

• Knowledge: Degree in Biomedical or business-related fields. PhD or equivalent experience.

• Skills: Proactive, team-player and able to work independently. Capacity to liaising scientific

  developments and users needs both interacting with the scientific team and the Innovation

  team. Excellent organisational and communication skills to different audiences and readiness to

  work with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.

• Languages: Fluency in spoken and written Spanish and English.

YOU MIGHT ALSO HAVE:

• Experience: Prior experience as business developer, in contracts or projects with Industrial partners in the field of Health and Cancer.

• Knowledge: Knowledge on regulatory, IVDR or medical devices. Knowledge of economics and finance, business management tools and the legal and regulatory frameworks.

• Skills: Scientific writing

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: Permanent contract (contrato de actividades científico técnicas) linked to the scientific and technical activities linked to the project “Data-driven cancer genome interpretation for personalised cancer treatment”.

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.

Competitive salary: commensurate with experience and qualifications.

International Environment: we are home to nearly 500 researchers, technical and support staff from 45 countries.

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

Continuous Training: Transversal and general training is offered to our community (examples include research seminars, conferences, training in time management, scientific integrity, gender equality, health and safety, languages courses and emotional wellbeing).

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:

• Deadline for applications: 12/06/2026 (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. 

IRB BARCELONA endorses the Requirements and Principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and Open, Transparent, Merit-based recruitment promoted by the European Commission and follows Equal Opportunities policies.

On 9 December, 2014, IRB Barcelona was awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" logo. This recognition reflects the commitment of the Institute to the continuous improvement of its human resources policies in line with the Charter & Code. The Institute works to ensure fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures.

Please check our Recruitment Policy.

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

ABOUT IRB BARCELONA,

Created in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia) and the University of Barcelona, IRB Barcelona, a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence since the first call in 2011, has received the accreditation four consecutive times.

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 oriented towards diseases such as cancer, metastasis, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and rare conditions.

IRB Barcelona is an international centre that hosts 500 members from 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).