Predoctoral contract OFFER

The Instituto Biofisika (IBF) is a joint research centre of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). In collaboration with Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia (FBB), the centre advances knowledge on the physical and chemical processes underlying biology and disease. With FBB accredited as a Basque Excellence Research Centre (BERC) by the Basque Government, the IBF–FBB partnership enjoys a strong national and international reputation and provides outstanding shared facilities for advanced biophysical and structural biology research in a new building on the main UPV/EHU Leioa campus.

We are offering a PhD position in the Antibody Engineering and Membrane Biophysics in Diseases Lab (AEMBD) at the IBF (Leioa), under the supervision of Dr. Pablo Carravilla. This PhD contract is linked to the project “Lipid transport in rare neurodegenerative diseases”, grant PID2024-157949OA-I00 funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by ERDF, EU.

The research project focuses on the biophysical imaging of lipid trafficking in rare neurodegenerative diseases. The selected candidate will investigate membrane biophysical alterations and lipid trafficking defects in lysosomal storage disorders using advanced microscopy approaches. In addition, the project will evaluate the effects of candidate therapeutic compounds in rescuing these cellular phenotypes. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in life sciences (e.g. biochemistry, molecular or cell biology, biophysics, biomedicine) and the motivation to learn new skills and contribute to ongoing research within an interdisciplinary team environment.

Contract Duration: 4 years, starting from the date of incorporation.

·        Highly qualified applicants, with a BSc and MSc in life sciences (e.g. biochemistry, molecular or cell biology, biophysics, biomedicine).

·        Strong written and oral communication skills in English, equivalent to C1 level.

·        Prior experience is expected, such as master’s and bachelor’s thesis work, and/or experience as a research assistant or technician.

·        Practical experience in cell and molecular biology, and microscopy is a plus.

·        Skills that will be considered positively include cloning and protein purification, in vitro membrane systems, protein:lipid interactions, cell culture and fluorescence microscopy or other imaging techniques.

Candidates must comply with the pre-requisites established in the “Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento 2024” call of the MCIU and must meet the requirements established in Article 21.a) of Law 14/2011, of June 1^st, to enter into a predoctoral contract or, failing that, be in a position to meet the requirements at the time the contract is formalised.

IBF is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity. The evaluation will be based on:

1. Academic and scientific-technical trajectory of the candidate (up to 50 points),

including scientific contributions (up to 45 points) and the impact of stays at prestigious institutions (up to 5 points).

2. Suitability of the candidate for the planned research activities (up to 50 points).

Applications should be submitted through the Biofisika website contact page using the following subject: [Job Application: 141_PCarravilla].

·        Curriculum Vitae

·        Motivation letter

·        Contact details of 2 referees