The Enzyme Sensors and Chemical Probes group is looking for a motivated Ph.D. student to dissect post-translational modifications (PTMs) across the microtubule network of the cell, by developing new inhibitors and fluorescent sensors of metalloenzymes.
This positions fit within the scope of the project CHEMTUBIO (ERC Starting Grant), and within our overall aim of revealing disease mechanisms through the development of imaging tools and chemical probes, leading up to methods for translatable drug discovery.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
Synthetic organic chemistry: develop small molecule- and peptide-based inhibitors of metalloenzymes / cysteine-dependent enzymes using in-solution and solid-phase chemistry
Enzyme assay development: investigate enzyme activity in vitro using purified recombinant proteins
Live cell imaging: study the spatiotemporal regulation of microtubule PTMs through selective enzyme inhibition and activity sensing in cell culture
Training activities: attend scientific seminars, as well as courses in scientific and transversal skills, as part of the doctoral training
Outreach: disseminate research findings at international conferences and through publications
Requirements for candidates:
Education: M.Sc.
degree in Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, or a related field
Technical expertise: demonstrated expertise in organic chemistry and/or biochemistry techniques
Transversal skills: scientific communication in English, ability to work in a diverse and interdisciplinary environment, time management, collaboration
Motivation: strong interest in cutting-edge research and in the development of analytical skills and scientific independence
Advantageous:
Experience in solid-phase peptide synthesis




Experience in compound library synthesis
Experience with in vitro enzyme assays
Experience working within international teams or institutions
Competencies and Skills:
We value not only technical expertise but also the demonstration of core competencies such as Communication, Teamwork and Collaboration, Commitment, Proactivity, Integrity, and Critical and Analytical Thinking.
We Offer:
Number of available positions: 2
Working conditions: full-time, 3-year contract.
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 predoctoral and postdoctoral 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.
Reference: PhD1-CM.
// PhD2-CM.
Principles of the selection process:




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) /
IBEC ?s Commitment on equal opportunity, diversity, and Inclusion:
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.
Visit our devoted webpage on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
For candidates with children that come from outside Barcelona, we offer babysitting services during the interview, so you don't have to worry about anything else than doing a good interview.
Contact us if you are interested in this service.
In categories where women are underrepresented, such as Group Leader positions, and with the aim of ensuring gender balance in recruitment processes, women candidates must represent at least 50% of those interviewed for Junior-level positions and 40% for Senior-level positions, provided they have CVs comparable to those of male candidates.
At the end of the evaluation process, in cases of equal merit, preference will be given to women candidates.
IBEC, as a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), will consider, especially for early-stage investigators, much more the scientific content of research outputs, than publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which it were published.
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📌 2 Ph.D. Students In Medicinal Chemistry (Barcelona)
🏢 Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)
📍 Barcelona