1 year. It is anticipated that the contract will be extended linked to the activity of the lab (estimated October 2030)
Organisation/Company Centre for Genomic Regulation Research Field Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions PhD Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 26 Jun 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Other Type of Contract Extra Information 1 year. It is anticipated that the contract will be extended linked to the activity of the lab (estimated October 2030) Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Jul 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
The Institute
The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.
The successful candidate will join the Dynamics of Protein Synthesis and RNA Decay Group. They will provide key support for smooth running of the laboratory via management tasks that include project support, cell culture, biochemistry and molecular biology experiments, reagent preparation, equipment and inventory maintenance/purchases, as well as training of PhDs and Post-Docs. Additionally, they will be responsible for implementing health and safety regulations, including the management of a radioactivity laboratory. Depending on experience, they may also drive research projects. Their essential work will aid researchers in addressing an exciting question in gene regulation: how cells dynamically control the stability of messenger RNAs by selective degradation during protein synthesis by the ribosome. The lab studies this problem in the context of both fundamental molecular mechanisms and disease-related regulation.
About the lab
How do cells accurately tune protein production according to cellular needs? This fundamental question is not only fascinating but also crucial to human health: Aberrant protein levels are commonly linked to diseases such as developmental defects, cancer, or neurodegenerative diseases, where aggregation-prone proteins tend to accumulate in neurons.
In the “Dynamics of protein synthesis & RNA decay” lab we are interested in how cells tune protein production by adjusting the stability of messenger RNAs (mRNAs). Each cell in our body expresses around 12,000 different mRNAs at any given time. To control this complex transcriptome—and thus protein synthesis—cells adjust half-lives for individual mRNAs from minutes to several days. Traditionally, the selective degradation of mRNAs has been attributed to the recognition of nucleotide sequence elements by proteins or small RNAs that subsequently recruit decay factors. In our lab, we investigate a distinct, newly emerging paradigm of gene regulation termed “peptide-mediated mRNA decay” (PMD). In PMD, not the mRNA sequence but rather the nascent protein is recognized to trigger degradation of the encoding mRNA during its translation by the ribosome.
This process is exemplified by tubulin mRNAs, which are selectively degraded when cells sense excess free tubulins, the building blocks of the microtubule cytoskeleton. Perturbed tubulin mRNA turnover results in severe phenotypes, such as cell division defects, impaired neurodevelopment, ciliopathies, and infertility. Beyond tubulins, emerging evidence points to critical PMD mechanisms targeting transcripts encoding aggregation-prone proteins when crucial chaperones are absent. Thus, PMD represents an unexplored paradigm of gene regulation that dynamically adjusts protein production to ensure cellular fitness. However, a mechanistic understanding of peptide-mediated mRNA decay is only beginning to emerge, and the scope of PMD substrates is completely unknown.
Using a highly interdisciplinary approach spanning biochemistry, structural biology, cell biology, genetics, and advanced sequencing methods, we aim to answer the following questions: What are the factors and molecular mechanisms driving peptide-mediated mRNA decay? How are these mechanisms controlled, and what are the consequences of impaired mRNA turnover for cells and organisms? What is the transcriptome-wide scope of regulation by peptide-mediated mRNA decay?
Answering these questions will be highly relevant to human biology and disease, as highlighted by the examples of tubulin and aggregation-prone proteins regulated by PMD. Furthermore, insights into mRNA decay mechanisms will enable development of optimized mRNA-based therapeutics like mRNA vaccines.
* Lab experience with mammalian cell culture and common techniques in biochemistry, cell & molecular biology
* The candidate should holda PhD degree, preferably in cell/molecular biology or biochemistry, OR a bachelor's/master's degree/vocational training and 3+ years' work experience in these fields
* Radioactivity facility operator license, OR willingness to obtain such a license within the first year
Desirable but not required/ Nice to have
* Experience with project support and common laboratory task management
* Experience in biochemistry, RNA biology and/or microtubule biology
* Ability to pursue research projects independently
* Experience with protein purification, next-generation sequencing or genetics approaches
* Experience with handling and managing radioactive reagents
Languages
* Fluency in English
* Spanish language may be needed to adhere to and implement local health and safety regulations
Technical skills
* Advanced MS Office experience
* Skilled with data analyses software, e.g. Prism
* Experience with electronic lab notebooks and other lab managing software is an advantage
Competences
* Rigor, organization and autonomy
* Strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication skills
* Curiosity and critical thinking
The Offer – Working Conditions
* Contract duration: An initial contract will be offered for 1 year. It is anticipated that the contract will be extended linked to the activity of the lab (estimated October 2030).
* Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales
* Target start date: from July 2024
We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section .
We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcome applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.
The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.
Application Procedure
All applications must include:
* Contact details of two to three referees.
* Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected on the candidates CVs. It will be merit-based.
* Interview: Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and a selection panel if required.
* Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is identified the People department will send a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary, working conditions, among other important details.
Deadline: Please submit your application before 26/06/2024.
Suggestions: The CRG believes in ongoing improvement and promotes a culture of feedback. This is one of the reasons we have in place, at your disposal as a candidate, a mechanism to gather your suggestions/complaints concerning your candidate experience in our recruitment processes. Your feedback really matters to us in our aim at creating a positive candidate journey. You can make a difference and help us improve by letting us know your suggestions through the following form. https://recruitment.crg.eu/webforms/recruitment-contact-form-suggestionscomplaints
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