The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).

The role The successful candidate will join the Dynamics of Protein Synthesis and RNA Decay Group. Their work will address an exciting question in gene regulation: how cells dynamically control the stability of messenger RNAs by selective degradation during protein synthesis by the ribosome. The lab studies this problem in the context of both fundamental molecular mechanisms and disease‑related regulation.

The position will be a chance to join a young, ambitious and curiosity‑driven lab at the CRG, one of Europe’s prime institutes for molecular life sciences, surrounded by the dynamic Barcelona research environment. The project is embedded in the ERC‑funded DECODE‑PMD project to better understand peptide‑mediated mRNA decay (PMD).

Key responsibilities include

Development of sequencing approaches to identify PMD substrates

Bioinformatic data analysis and visualization

Identification and mechanistic characterization of PMD candidate substrates

Presentation of data at international conferences and manuscript preparation

Leading and managing international collaborations

Active participation in lab meetings and contribution to a culture of technical excellence and scientific curiosity

About the Höpfler lab How do cells accurately tune protein production according to cellular needs? This fundamental question is not only fascinating but also crucial to human health:



Aberrant protein levels are commonly linked to diseases such as developmental defects, cancer, or neurodegenerative diseases, where aggregation‑prone proteins tend to accumulate in neurons.

In the "Dynamics of protein synthesis & RNA decay" lab we are interested in how cells tune protein production by adjusting the stability of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Each cell in our body expresses around 12,000 different mRNAs at any given time. To control this complex transcriptome—and thus protein synthesis—cells adjust half‑lives for individual mRNAs from minutes to several days.

Traditionally, the selective degradation of mRNAs has been attributed to the recognition of nucleotide sequence elements by proteins or small RNAs that subsequently recruit decay factors. In our lab, we investigate a distinct, newly emerging paradigm of gene regulation termed "peptide‑mediated mRNA decay" (PMD). In PMD, not the mRNA sequence but rather the nascent protein is recognized to trigger degradation of the encoding mRNA during its translation by the ribosome, as we recently established for tubulin mRNAs.

Using a highly interdisciplinary approach spanning biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology, genetics, and advanced sequencing methods, we aim to answer the following questions: What are the factors and molecular mechanisms driving peptide‑mediated mRNA decay? How are these mechanisms controlled, and what are the consequences of impaired mRNA turnover for cells and organisms? What is the transcriptome‑wide scope of regulation by peptide‑mediated mRNA decay?

Answering these questions will be highly relevant to human biology and disease, as highlighted by the examples of tubulin and aggregation‑prone proteins regulated by PMD. Furthermore,



insights into mRNA decay mechanisms will enable development of optimised mRNA‑based therapeutics like mRNA vaccines.

Whom would we like to hire? We are particularly interested in candidates with a hybrid wet lab & bioinformatics background with a track record in RNA biology or gene regulation, but we will consider applications with related expertise. Experience with sequencing approaches to study RNA turnover or with massively parallel reporter assays (MPRAs) will be beneficial.

Must Have

Bioinformatics experience in the analysis of (RNA) sequencing data

Experience with common lab techniques in cell & molecular biology The candidate must hold a PhD degree, preferably in cell/molecular biology or bioinformatics, or related fields (or expect to finish the degree before starting)

A strong publication record commensurate with career stage

Ability to pursue research projects independently

Desirable but not required / Nice to have

Experience with massively parallel reporter assays of any kind

Experience with studying mRNA turnover on a transcriptome‑wide scale

Background in RNA biology, translational control or related fields

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English

Skilled with data analysis software (R/Python)

Experience with using high performance computing clusters

Advanced MS Office experience

Competences

Curiosity and critical thinking

Rigor, organisation and autonomy

Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills The Offer – Working Conditions

Contract duration: Technical and scientific activities contract (estimated duration 2 years)

Estimated annual gross salary: Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales

Target start date: from October 2026 (flexible)

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcome applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The CRG is committed to reconciling a work and family life of its employees and is offering an extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from adaptable working hours.

Contact: Dr. Markus Höpfler, [email protected]

Deadline: Please submit your application before 30/06/2025.

📌 Postdoc in the Dynamics of Protein Synthesis and RNA Decay Lab (Madrid)
🏢 Centre For Genomic Regulation (Crg)
📍 Madrid