Job Reference
596_25_LS_ESB_R1
Position
PhD student in computational biophysics and machine learning (R1, FPI)
Closing Date
Thursday, 16 October, 2025
Reference:
596_25_LS_ESB_R1
Job title:
PhD student in computational biophysics and machine learning (R1, FPI)
About BSC
The Barcelona Supercomputing Center - Centro Nacional de Supercomputación (BSC-CNS) is the leading supercomputing center in Spain. It houses MareNostrum, one of the most powerful supercomputers in Europe, was a founding and hosting member of the former European HPC infrastructure PRACE (Partnership for Advanced Computing in Europe), and is now hosting entity for EuroHPC JU, the Joint Undertaking that leads large-scale investments and HPC provision in Europe. The mission of BSC is to research, develop and manage information technologies in order to facilitate scientific progress. BSC combines HPC service provision and R&D into both computer and computational science (life, earth and engineering sciences) under one roof, and currently has over 1000 staff from 60 countries.
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We are particularly interested for this role in the strengths and lived experiences of women and underrepresented groups to help us avoid perpetuating biases and oversights in science and IT research. In instances of equal merit, the incorporation of the under-represented sex will be favoured.
We promote Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, fostering an environment where each and every one of us is appreciated for who we are, regardless of our differences.
If you consider that you do not meet all the requirements, we encourage you to continue applying for the job offer. We value diversity of experiences and skills, and you could bring unique perspectives to our team.
Context And Mission
The Evolutionary Systems Biophysics Group (ESBG) ), within the Life Sciences Department at the Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC), investigates how biological function emerges from physical constraints and evolutionary pressures, across multiple scales — from proteins to regulatory networks. The group combines principles from statistical physics, systems biology, and computational modeling to explore how different abstractions of network dynamics shape biological complexity and adaptability.
The lab was created in 2025, when Dr. R. Gonzalo Parra started as a Ramón y Cajal researcher at BSC. Our work spans molecular to systems-level phenomena: analyzing how energetic landscapes influence protein function and evolution, and extending these concepts to gene regulatory networks and other biological systems. By studying how different constraints and features of biological systems are conserved or co-opted through evolution, the group aims to uncover general principles that govern organization, robustness, evolvability, and designability of life.
The ESBG is looking for a PhD student to work on the Knowledge Generation Project: MEGA-scale Frustration Analysis of the Protein Universe: Evolution, Dynamics, and SNV Impact (MEGAFrustratEDS). The project aims to uncover how local energetic frustration shapes protein evolution, dynamics, and disease-related mutations. Using state-of-the-art structural bioinformatics, machine learning, and high-performance computing, we will build the first Human Proteome-Wide Frustration Atlas — a resource to better classify genetic Single Nucleotide Variants (SNVs) and understand protein function.
The Selected Student Will
* Apply computational techniques to understand the biophysical properties of the native state of proteins and how they explore different conformational substates.
* Integrate this knowledge with evolutionary and clinical variant data to uncover the relationship between local frustration and disease-causing SNVs.
* Contribute to building the Human Proteome-Wide Frustration Atlas & SNV classifier that will be made available to the community.
The student will work in a highly sophisticated HPC environment, have access to state-of-the-art computational infrastructure, and collaborate with international experts in structural bioinformatics and computational biophysics. The ESBG currently consists of 4–5 members with backgrounds in bioinformatics, biophysics, and biology. The selected candidate will receive a 4-year FPI fellowship, which includes salary, PhD tuition fees, and funding for research stays abroad with project collaborators. Women and LGBTQI+ people are particularly encouraged to apply.
PID OA-I00
Key Duties
* Integration of heterogeneous structural and evolutionary data using advanced data mining techniques
* Analysis of protein conformational ensembles and local energetic frustration
* Contribution to tool development (e.g. FrustraMotion) and creation of the Human Proteome-Wide Frustration Atlas
* Preparation and presentation of scientific articles
* Participation in project meetings and international collaborations
Requirements
* Education
* Undergraduate training in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or other quantitative disciplines is preferred
* Candidates with a biology background who have significant exposure to quantitative/computational science will also be considered
* MSc in bioinformatics, data science, computational biology, or machine learning–related areas
* Essential Knowledge and Professional Experience
* Previous experience in biophysics, machine learning, statistics, or physics
* Strong programming skills (Python, R; C++ is a plus)
* High motivation and scientific curiosity
* Additional Knowledge and Professional Experience
* Familiarity with structural biology or life sciences research
* Knowledge of AI/ML methodologies
* Experience working with HPC environments
* Fluency in written and spoken English
* Competences
* Good communication and presentation skills
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Conditions
* The position will be located at BSC within the Life Sciences Department
* We offer a full-time contract (37.5h/week), a good working environment, a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure, flexible working hours, extensive training plan, restaurant tickets, private health insurance, support to the relocation procedures
* Duration: 4 years
* Holidays: 23 paid vacation days plus 24th and 31st of December per our collective agreement
* Salary: we offer a competitive salary commensurate with the qualifications and experience of the candidate and according to the cost of living in Barcelona
* Starting date: 01/12/2025 or later
Applications procedure and process
All applications must be submitted via the BSC website and contain:
* A full CV in English including contact details
* A cover/motivation letter with a statement of interest in English, clearly specifying for which specific area and topics the applicant wishes to be considered. Additionally, two references for further contacts must be included. Applications without this document will not be considered.
Development of the recruitment process
The selection will be carried out through a competitive examination system ("Concurso-Oposición"). The recruitment process consists of two phases:
* Curriculum Analysis: Evaluation of previous experience and/or scientific history, degree, training, and other professional information relevant to the position. - 40 points
* Interview phase: The highest-rated candidates at the curriculum level will be invited to the interview phase, conducted by the corresponding department and Human Resources. In this phase, technical competencies, knowledge, skills, and professional experience related to the position, as well as the required personal competencies, will be evaluated. - 60 points. A minimum of 30 points out of 60 must be obtained to be eligible for the position.
The recruitment panel will be composed of at least three people, ensuring at least 25% representation of women.
In accordance with OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for each vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will begin the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. At a minimum, a personality questionnaire as well as a technical exercise will be conducted during the process.
The panel will make a final decision, and all individuals who participated in the interview phase will receive feedback with details on the acceptance or rejection of their profile.
At BSC, we seek continuous improvement in our recruitment processes. For any suggestions or comments/complaints about our recruitment processes, please contact
For more information, please follow this link.
Deadline
The vacancy will remain open until a suitable candidate has been hired. Applications will be regularly reviewed and potential candidates will be contacted.
OTM-R principles for selection processes
BSC-CNS 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). This is applied for any potential candidate in all our processes, for example by creating gender-balanced recruitment panels and recognizing career breaks etc.
BSC-CNS is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We are pleased to consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or any other basis protected by applicable state or local law.
For more information follow this link
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