Institute for bioengineering of Catalonia, IBEC Organisation/Company Institute for bioengineering of Catalonia, IBEC Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 30 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description Introduction to the vacant position: The Quasi-Living Materials Research Group is looking for an outstanding polymer chemist to join as a postdoctoral researcher. The contract will be within the framework of the Project PhagoSynCell (ERC Consolidator Grant), in which our ambition is to create synthetic cells capable of performing a rudimentary form of artificial phagocytosis, and to use them as a new class of antimicrobials against antibiotic-resistant pathogens, one of the biggest challenges of contemporary medicine. This is fundamental, curiosity-driven research at the frontier of polymer chemistry and soft matter. We are looking for an independent scientist who will take ownership of a research question and drive it forward, not for someone to execute a predefined plan.
The research project: "Engineering of Novel Antimicrobial Phagocytic Vesicles" In the context of the ERC PhagoSynCell we are developing vesicles capable of capturing, engulfing and killing bacteria. These vesicles are built from supramolecular amphiphilic comb polymers (iCPs, /advs. and /advs. ) that self-assemble in water into vesicles, termed combisomes. This postdoctoral project sits at the interface between polymer synthesis and soft matter.



You will take the lead on its most demanding synthetic and mechanistic questions: the design and synthesis of novel iCPs, and a quantitative understanding of how their topology, architecture and composition govern self-assembly, membrane mechanics and the engulfment of bacteria. The objectives are to: (1) increase combisome stability in biological media, (2) maximize engulfment of pathogens in biological media, and (3) unravel the underlying molecular design rules.
Main tasks and responsibilities: Design and synthesize libraries of comb polymers (covalent and supramolecular) using organic synthesis and controlled radical polymerization, guided by molecular and self-assembly simulations.
Combine microscopy, microfluidics, and physicochemical/biophysical tools to study self-assembly and membrane properties, and to dissect how molecular structure, topology and architecture encode vesicle properties.
Identify which molecular features enhance vesicle stability in biological media.
Engineer membrane properties to achieve engulfment of pathogens, working with our partners who are specialists in antimicrobial resistance.
Establish structure–function relationships between molecular parameters and the ability to engulf.
Lead the project scientifically: formulate hypotheses, design experiments, interpret results critically and propose new directions. Publish your findings as lead author, present them at international conferences,



and contribute to the supervision of junior researchers.
Requirements for candidates: An excellent, ambitious, hard-working and resilient scientist who loves interdisciplinary fundamental research and its applications in medicine.
PhD in polymer chemistry, or in organic chemistry with a strong polymer focus, is essential.
A track record of publications in polymerization and polymer synthesis, ideally combining polymerization and self-assembly.
Solid expertise in macromolecular characterization by NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, SEC, DSC, TGA, TEM.
Strong interest in soft matter and self-assembly: you want to understand not only how to make a polymer, but how its architecture determines what it does.
A drive to develop your own research line within the project: to open new questions, not only to answer those already posed.
Scientific ownership and independence: proactive, critical thinking, and the drive to define problems, lead a project and deliver results.
High level of spoken and written English.
Alignment with the team's values and vision.
Advantageous: Experience in supramolecular self-assembly (e.g., vesicles, coacervates) and its characterization.
Experience in optical microscopy, including Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, as well as in cryo-TEM and AFM.
Additional valuable experience or knowledge: soft matter, nanoscience, biophysics, scattering techniques, microbiology, bottom-up synthetic biology, or membrane systems.
Experience in supervising students and in writing grant or fellowship applications (e.g., MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships).
Competencies and Skills: We value not only technical expertise but also the demonstration of core competencies such as

📌 Postdoctoral researcher position titled (Madrid)
🏢 Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)
📍 Madrid