진학프로석·박사 채용 접수 플랫폼

The Research Group “Therapeutics and Innovations in Neuropediatrics” at Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) is seeking a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join a translational research project focused on therapy development for LAMA2-related muscular dystrophy (LAMA2-RD). The selected candidate will contribute to preclinical studies aimed at evaluating innovative therapeutic strategies, including cell-based approaches and/or studies in mouse models of disease.

This role offers a defined period of advanced, mentored training, providing the opportunity to deepen expertise, contribute to high-quality research projects, and strengthen scientific independence.

The position is fully focused on research activities, allowing you to dedicate your time to scientific excellence and career progression within a leading research centre.

Main responsibilities and duties:

• • Conduct high‑quality research aligned with project and lab objectives, including rigorous data collection, analysis, and literature review.
• • Collaborate with senior researchers in designing experiments, developing research protocols, and contributing to publications, reports, and grant proposals.
• • Present research findings within the team and at scientific conferences or seminars.
• • Provide guidance to junior researchers or graduate students and supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students when applicable.
• • Engage in continuous professional development and work with the technology transfer office to identify potential inventions and understand IP processes.
• • Coordinate and perform preclinical experimental work related to LAMA2-RD therapy development.
• • Establish, maintain and characterise relevant cell culture models and/or contribute to experimental studies in mouse models.
• • Perform molecular, cellular, histological and protein-based analyses to assess therapeutic efficacy.
• • Participate in the design, execution, documentation and troubleshooting of experiments.
• • Analyse, interpret and present experimental data in internal meetings and project reports.
• • Collaborate with multidisciplinary clinical, translational and preclinical research team members.
• • Contribute to scientific reports, manuscripts, presentations and project deliverables.
• • Support the supervision and training of Master's and predoctoral students when required.
• • Ensure compliance with ethical, biosafety and good laboratory practice requirements.Conduct high‑quality research aligned with project and lab objectives, including rigorous data collection, analysis, and literature review.

Education and qualifications:

Required:

• • Completed PhD Degree in the corresponding field
• • Completed official university qualification from a country of the European Higher Education Area with a minimum of 300 ECTS of official university studies, of which, at least 60, at master’s level, which allow them to access doctoral studies.
• • Fluency in English
• • Specific training in cell culture and/or preclinical animal models.

Desirable:

• • Additional or specialised training in molecular biology, histology, immunofluorescence, microscopy, protein analysis or image analysis.
• • Specific training and accreditation for experimental animal work.
• • Knowledge of neuromuscular disorders, muscular dystrophies, regenerative medicine, gene/cell therapy or translational research.
• • Fluency in Catalan and/or Spanish

Experience and knowledge:

Required:

• • Experience:Having conducted the PhD (including wet/dry-lab related work) work for at least 3 years as R1.Previous experience in at least one of the following areas: mammalian cell culture, preclinical studies using mouse models, or molecular and cellular biology techniques.

• • Publications: At least 1 first-author original publication in JCR-indexed peer-reviewed journals.

• • Competences: Research Expertise: Solid disciplinary knowledge and ability to contribute to high-quality research activities.Research data management: Experience organising and managing research data following FAIR principles.Teamwork and mentoring: Ability to work collaboratively and support junior researchers or students.Analytical thinking: Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills applied to research challenges.Scientific dissemination: Experience contributing to publications and research dissemination activities.Capacity to plan, perform, document and troubleshoot laboratory experiments with a high degree of autonomy.Ability to organise, analyse and interpret experimental data.Strong teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills in a multidisciplinary research environment.Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Note: Applicants will be required to provide evidence of their experience and achievements related to the position requirements during the application process through the ATS.

Desirable:

• • Funding: Experience in contributing to the preparation of competitive funding applications such as postdoctoral fellowships and research grant applications, among others.
• • Supervision and Mentoring: Experience in supervising or mentoring undergraduate students (e.g. research projects or final degree projects).
• • Science Communication and Outreach Activities:Experience attending and presenting results in scientific congresses and preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.Engagement in science communication or outreach activities.
• • Intellectual Property Protection and Knowledge TransferFamiliarity with intellectual property protection processes and knowledge transfer activitiesExperience attending or participating in workshops on intellectual property and technology transfer.
• • Training and Professional DevelopmentCommitment to continuous professional development, including participation in training activities aligned with the relevant professional or research training pathways.
• • Mobility:
• • Short-term stays in other national or international institutions will be highly valued.
• • Public Awarness: Engagement in public awarness activities is encouraged.
• • Publications:
• • Previous publication record in biomedical or translational research, ideally including at least one first-author original publication in a JCR-indexed journal.
• • Experience:
• • Experience with primary cell cultures, myoblasts, fibroblasts, mesenchymal/stromal cells or adipogenic progenitors.
• • Experience with mouse handling, treatment administration, tissue collection and functional assessment.
• • Experience with immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot, qPCR, ELISA, microscopy or image analysis.
• • Previous experience in preclinical therapeutic development or neuromuscular disease models.
• • Previous publication record in biomedical or translational research, ideally including at least one first-author original publication in a JCR-indexed journal.

DOCUMENTATION TO SUBMIT

In this application, you will be required to provide the following information and documentation:

• • Personal data and CV: Applicants must complete their personal details and upload an updated Curriculum Vitae. The name of this document must be: “CV _NameSurname”
• • Studies: Applicants must provide an official copy of their doctoral degree certificate, demonstrating that the PhD has been successfully awarded. The name of this document must be: “Studies _NameSurname”
• • Experience: Applicants must submit a letter issued by the employing institution(s) certifying their postdoctoral research experience. The letter must clearly state the exact period of time during which the applicant held the postdoctoral position, including start and end dates, and must explicitly indicate that the activities carried out correspond to postdoctoral research tasks or that the position held falls under a recognised postdoctoral professional category. Inthe case of applicants in their first year of postdoctoral experience, for whom no previous postdoctoral contracts exist, a signed declaration must be provided confirming that the applicant is currently in their first year of postdoctoral activity. The name of this document must be: “Experience _NameSurname”
• • Publications: Applicants must download the Publications Excel template provided hereand upload the completed document as part of the application. Password to access the file is vhir. For each publication, the following information must be provided: PMID, DOI, Title, Authors, Journal, Year of Publication, Type of Publication, and Quartile. The name of this document must be: “Publications _NameSurname”

Important information

Only applications submitted before the deadline and containing all the required information and documentation will be evaluated. Once the application is submitted, candidates will automatically receive an acknowledgement of receipt.