Introduction to the vacant position:Todas las habilidades, cualificaciones y experiencia relevantes que necesitará un candidato seleccionado se enumeran en la siguiente descripción.
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 using in-solution and solid-phase chemistryEnzyme assay development: investigate enzyme activity in vitro using purified recombinant proteinsLive cell imaging: study the spatiotemporal regulation of microtubule PTMs through selective enzyme inhibition and activity sensing in cell cultureTraining activities:attend scientific seminars, as well as courses in scientific and transversal skills, as part of the doctoral trainingOutreach: disseminate research findings at international conferences and through publicationsRequirements for candidates:Essential:

Education:
M.
Sc. degree in Medicinal Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Biochemistry, or a related fieldTechnical expertise: demonstrated expertise in organic chemistry and/or biochemistry techniquesTransversal

skills:
scientific communication in English, ability to work in a diverse and interdisciplinary environment, time management, collaborationMotivation:



strong interest in cutting‑edge research and in the development of analytical skills and scientific independenceAdvantageous:Experience in solid-phase peptide synthesisExperience in compound library synthesisExperience with in vitro enzyme assaysExperience working within international teams or institutionsCompetencies 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: 1Starting date: Jan-Feb, 2027Working

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.
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.
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.
Protection of personal data:IBEC guarantees that candidates’ personal data are processed in accordance with the requirements of the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Law 3/2018 on Data Protection.
Personal data will be processed solely for the purposes of the selection process.
Who we are?The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia, IBEC is an interdisciplinary research center focused on Bioengineering and Nanomedicine based in Barcelona. IBEC is one of the top research institutions named as a Severo Ochoa Research Centre by the Ministry of Science, Universities and Innovation, which recognizes excellence at the highest international level in terms of research, t

📌 Ph.D. student in Medicinal Chemistry (Barcelona)
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📍 Barcelona