The Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) is a leading public-sector biomedical research institute embedded within the Vall d’Hebron Campus, one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare ecosystems in southern Europe. VHIR is internationally recognised for its excellence in translational research, bringing together fundamental, clinical and population-based science to accelerate the impact of research on patients’ lives.
In alignment with the European Research Career Framework (R1–R4), VHIR is seeking to recruit an outstanding Recognised-Established Researcher to establish and lead research based on circadian biology and its implications for health and disease. This position is conceived as a strategic entry point into VHIR’s research career pathway, with the opportunity to progress through a competitive internal tenure-track scheme, subject to performance, funding success and periodic evaluation.
This call is designed for ambitious, high-potential researchers ready to take the next step towards scientific leadership. We particularly welcome candidates with a strong trajectory indicative of future success in highly competitive funding schemes
Main responsibilities and duties:
- Establish and drive an independent and innovative research line, aligned with VHIR’s strategic priorities
- Secure competitive funding as Principal Investigator (PI), with a strong focus on prestigious national and international programmes
- Deliver high-impact scientific outputs, publishing in leading peer-reviewed journals and advancing the frontiers of knowledge
- Build, lead and mentor a high-performing research team (R1–R2), fostering talent development and scientific excellence
- Engage in strategic collaborations with leading national and international partners across academia, healthcare and industry
- Oversee research activities, projects and resources, ensuring effective management and delivery of results
- Contribute to innovation, knowledge transfer and societal impact, supporting the translation of research into real-world applications
Education and qualifications: Required:
- PhD in relevant discipline
- Strong publication record
- Proven research independence
- Strong potential to secure competitive national and international funding
- The capacity to build, lead and inspire a research team
- Fluency in English
Desirable:
- International experience
- High technical and conceptual expertise or strategic mindset to translational potential
- Knowledge of Catalan and/or Spanish
Experience and knowledge: Required:
- Experience leading research activities or projects
- Ability to supervise and mentor researchers
- Capacity to develop collaborations
- Communication, dissemination and scientific visibility
- Ability to Integrate into and strengthen the host institution
- Openness to collaborate with clinical teams, core facilities, or industry
Desirable:
- Experience in coordinating small research teams or work packages
- International research experience or active participation in international collaborations
- Contribution to high-impact publications as first or senior author
- Engagement in knowledge transfer, innovation or translational activities
- Experience contributing to grant writing and project management
Labour conditions:
- Working hours : Full-time (37,5 hours per week).
- Starting date : June 15th, 2026
- Gross annual salary : Remuneration will be determined by experience, skills and responsibilities and aligned with the Collective Agreement pay scale.
- Contract type : Technical and scientific activities contract linked to project
What can we offer?
- Incorporation into the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), a public sector institution that promotes and develops biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), the largest hospital in Barcelona and the largest within the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS).
- A dynamic scientific environment of excellence, where cutting-edge biomedical projects are continuously developed.
- Continuous learning and career development pathways.
- Versátil working hours.
- 23 days of annual leave plus 9 personal days.
- Flexible remuneration programme, including meal vouchers, health insurance, transport and more.
- Corporate benefits platform, offering significant discounts on travel, culture, technology, gastronomy, sports and more.
- Healthy offering– “Feel Good, Feel VHIR” : VHIR’s wellbeing programme offers a variety of activities to help staff thrive—physically, mentally, and socially. Through four pillars—Feel Well, Feel Connected, Feel Empowered, Feel Welcomed—it fosters health, growth, and community.
- International mobility support (Welcome Services) : we aim to make your arrival in Barcelona smooth and pleasant by providing city information, guidance on required procedures, access to the International Welcome Desk, family support and assistance with finding accommodation.
Deadline to apply:
How We Hire:
Pre-selection: Candidates are shortlisted based on their skills, qualifications, and relevant experience as outlined in their CVs.
Interviews: Meetings may be held with Talent Acquisition and/or the hiring manager.
Practical assessment: Depending on the role, candidates may complete a case study, technical task, presentation, or written exercise, on-site or remotely.
Checks: Education, references, and other job-related verifications may be carried out.
Job offer: The selected candidate receives a formal job offer upon successful completion of the process.
VHIR embraces Equality and Diversity. As reflected in our values we work toward ensuring inclusion and equal opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training, and management for all staff within the organization, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, functional diversity or ethnicity.
Information on Personal Data Protection:
Data Controller: Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca -VHIR-. Purpose: Personnel selection. Legal Basis: Your consent. Data retention period: One year. If you are selected, as long as the employment relationship is in force and legal responsibilities may arise. Data sharing: Does not occur, except for communications necessary to fulfill the purpose and those required by law to public and private bodies. Rights: You can access, rectify, delete, object to, and limit the processing of data, as well as request data portability where applicable, by contacting. DPO:. More information can be found here.
Data Protection Authority: APDCAT