Postdoctoral Candidate – Vascular Mechanobiology

Introduction to the vacant position: The Microenvironments for Medicine Group is looking for a Postdoctoral candidate to develop research in the field of vascular mechanobiology. The work involves expertise in primary endothelial cell isolation and culture, multicellular vascular spheroid models, RNA‑seq analysis, advanced microscopy and standard molecular biology techniques. We are seeking someone with a solid background in vascular biology and a strong interest in cell engineering and mechanobiology. The successful candidate will be required to make a leading contribution to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as contribute significantly to the management of the research group.

Responsibilities

- Play a leading role in the management and development of the group and to work independently and in collaboration, establishing and maintaining external collaborations both nationally and internationally.
- Play a leading role in the planning, design and conduct of research, individually or jointly, in accordance with the priorities of the group and in discussions with the PI.
- Sustain a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high‑profile / quality refereed journals.
- Play a leading role in the presentation of research findings at high‑profile national and international conferences, seminars and meetings to enhance the research profile of the group/institute.
- Lead the development, both independently and in collaboration with others (including stakeholders), of the identification of potential funding sources and contribute to the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research of international quality.
- Play a leading role in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the research group to ensure their effective development.
- Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group.




- Supervise Masters students and mentor PhD students as assigned by the PI.
- Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the field/discipline in order to provide advice and guidance to students and less experienced colleagues.
- Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills as needed by the research group and in discussion with the PI.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the PI.

Essential Requirements

- Ph.D. in a relevant area with demonstrable expertise in endothelial cell biology and its combination in mechanobiology studies.
- Demonstrate quality of production and scientific‑technological activity: articles published in scientific journals, books or chapters, works presented at congresses, patents granted or licensed, and in general any other contribution that allows the assessment of the different aspects of research, including technology transfer.
- Management of doctoral theses, final master’s theses and final degree theses.
- Obtaining awards, mentions and distinctions.
- Dissemination and scientific dissemination activities.
- Have postdoctoral experience at Spanish and/or foreign universities or R&D; centres other than IBEC. Stays or mobility while providing services to IBEC.
- Multidisciplinary skills in physical sciences/engineering at the interface with biology (engineering at the interface with biology, etc.). Experience in working with cell culture, advanced microscopy, mechanical characterisation of cells and hydrogels, 3D culture is required.
- Competencies and skills: Communication, teamwork and collaboration, commitment, proactivity, integrity, critical and analytical thinking.
- High level of English.

Advantageous Qualifications





- Experience/knowledge of synthesis of hydrogels.
- Experience to perform recombinant production and purification of proteins in bacteria.
- Experience in mechanobiology.
- Experience in advanced mechanical characterisation of soft matter, including nanoindentation, AFM, rheology and Brillouin microscopy.
- Experience in cell culture at the interface with hydrogels and biomaterials.

Benefits

- Number of available positions: 1.
- Starting date: October 2026.
- Working conditions: Full time, open‑ended contract due to technical and scientific activities linked to the project and budget duration.
- Measures to reconcile work and family life (parental leave, adaptable schedule working hours, 23 working days of paid holidays, 9 leave days for personal matters, among others).
- IBEC ensures equality of access to professional development opportunities irrespective of employment status, length at IBEC or other factors. The IBEC’s yearly training catalogue offers a wide range of training in technical and transferable skills including mobility grants and a mentoring programme for pre‑doctoral and post‑doctoral researchers.
- Stimulating, interdisciplinary research and high‑quality international scientific environment.
- Induction programme to facilitate incorporation at IBEC and additional support is provided for foreigners to obtain visa‑working permit and to install in Barcelona.

Equal Opportunity Statement

IBEC´s Commitment on equal opportunity: Our strength and excellence as an international transdisciplinary Research Institute are based on diversity. Being an equal opportunity employer, we are committed to diversity and inclusion, so that we support employees irrespective of their gender, nationality, religion, disabilities, age, sexual identity or cultural and socioeconomic background.”

IBEC is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the Open, Transparent and Merit based Recruitment principles (OTM‑R).

#J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 Postdoctoral position at the Research Group Microenvironments for Medicine (Barcelona)
🏢 Barcelona Institute Of Science And Technology (Bist)
📍 Barcelona