Institute for bioengineering of Catalonia, IBEC
Organisation/Company Institute for bioengineering of Catalonia, IBEC Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 18 Jun 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Malta) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37.5 Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 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
Introduction to the vacant position:
The Nonlinear Photonics for Neuroscience (NPN) group at the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is seeking a highly motivated and talented PhD student to join our cutting-edge research on optical imaging technologies for neuroscience.
Our group focuses on the development of next-generation microscopy tools that enable high-resolution imaging and manipulation of neuronal activity. As part of the ERC Starting Grant "2P-BRAINSCOPY" project, the selected candidate will work on enhancing field of view and acquisition speed in two-photon microscopy, to provide a better understanding of how neuronal circuits encode information.
The successful candidate will become part of an interdisciplinary team and receive training in the latest optical technologies developed by the NPN group. The project offers a unique opportunity to develop a diverse skill set spanning optical system design, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience applications.
We are looking for someone passionate about combining physics, engineering, and biology to tackle complex problems in brain research.
Main tasks and responsibilities:
* Optical System Design: Simulate, design, and develop advanced optical systems utilizing high-peak-power infrared lasers, optical fibers and spatial light modulators.
* Experimental Validation: Conduct in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess and optimize microscope performance.
* Data Analysis: Analyze experimental data and develop tailored computational strategies to extract meaningful insights.
* Collaborative Research: Work closely with an interdisciplinary team of postdocs and engineers with expertise ranging from optics to neuroscience.
* Scientific Dissemination: Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at leading international conferences.
Requirements for candidates:
* Education: Master’s degree in Physics, Photonics, Biology, or a related field, completed prior to the start of the contract.
* Technical Expertise: Solid understanding of optical design, alignment, and optical microscopy. Proficiency in programming with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
* Scientific Motivation: Strong interest in applying advanced optical techniques to neuroscience or related biological research.
* Core Competencies: Proactive, collaborative, and solution-oriented mindset with excellent communication skills, particularly in interdisciplinary environments.
* Language Proficiency: Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
Advantageous:
* Previous experience in two-photon microscopy
* Experienceworking in international research teams or institutions.
We Offer:
* Number of available positions: 1
* Starting date: 01/09/2025 or 01/10/2025
* Working conditions:
* 3+1-year full time contract.
* Very competitive salary.
* Measures to reconcile work and family life (parental leave, flexible 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.
Only those applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated.
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) https://ibecbarcelona.eu/careers-at-ibec/jobs/
IBEC´s Commitment on equal opportunity:
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.”
IBEC actively looks for female candidates for Senior positions ensuring that at least 40% of shortlisted applicants invited to interview have to be women with comparable level of CVs as the male candidates. At the end of the evaluation process, in case of equal merit, priority will be given to female candidates.
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.
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, training, human resources, outreach and technology transfer.
IBEC's mission is to develop international high-quality interdisciplinary research that, while creating knowledge, contributes to making a better quality of life, improving health and creating wealth. A close link with key universities, reference hospitals and corporations, are assets that facilitate achieving the mission.
IBEC was established in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Autonomous Government of Catalonia), the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC).
IBEC is located within the Barcelona Science Park and is managing 3.800 square meters facilities, with an annual budget of 22 Mio€; 4.150 square meters of facilities; 21 research groups and a team of researchers and support services of 400 people from 35 different countries. www.ibecbarcelona.eu
Research Field Biological sciences » Biological engineering Education Level PhD or equivalent
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