The contract may be co-financed, where applicable, through European Funds under the corresponding Operational Programme.

IMDEA Nutrition is part of the Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies Network, promoted by the Regional Government of Madrid, with the aim of conducting research that is both socially valuable and of international scientific excellence.

Within this framework, and as part of the Nutrition and Clinical Trials Research Group (GENYAL Platform), the following project is being carried out:
"IALIBIRD-CM: Multidisciplinary Research Program in Precision Nutrition based on AI for Personalized Interventions in Oncology."
R&D Activities Program in TECHNOLOGIES (2024). TEC-2024/BIO-281

Reference: PD2025-014-IALIBIRD
Principal Investigator: Mr. Ricardo Ramos Ruiz
Research Group: Molecular Oncology
Research Program: Precision Nutrition and Cancer
Research Line: Precision Nutrition and Molecular Oncology

The contract is intended to support the execution of scientific and technical activities linked to the research line carried out by the research group, within the framework of the following R&D project:
"IALIBIRD-CM: Multidisciplinary Research Program in Precision Nutrition based on AI for Personalized Interventions in Oncology."
R&D Activities Program in TECHNOLOGIES (2024). TEC-2024/BIO-281

Main Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Scientific management and monitoring of projects in which the candidate will be involved, within the Precision Nutrition and Clinical Trials Research Group (GENYAL Platform); specifically in the areas of Precision Nutrition and Women’s Health, Precision Nutrition and Novel Foods in various metabolic contexts, and Precision Nutrition and Molecular Oncology. The candidate will lead project follow-up, provide support and contribute to project execution within the research group’s activities in the consortium, ensuring the scientific and financial objectives are met, and preparing the corresponding scientific reports for the different projects. The role also involves acting as a key liaison with collaborators involved in the projects.
2. Scientific development and strategic guidance of the projects mentioned. Leadership in the topics of metabolism and its regulation in tumor development, various aspects of molecular and cellular biology (interactions between immune system, metabolism, and microbiota), personalized nutrition, and bioactive foods. A key technique the candidate will need to implement is organ-on-a-chip technology in different scenarios required by the assigned projects.
3. Development and management of associated clinical trials (preparation of intervention trial protocols for ethics committees, trial management, etc.).
4. Management of the research group’s biological sample databases, specifically for the different research lines.
5. Supervision of other relevant techniques used across the collaborative projects that make up the program, including:
   • Basic molecular and cellular biology techniques for nucleic acid analysis (qPCR, RNAseq), protein analysis (Western blot), and cellular function (cell culture, flow cytometry, confocal microscopy).
   • Complementary analytical techniques: real-time monitoring of oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification rates using Seahorse XFe bioanalyzer; analysis of cell proliferation and viability using ACEA xCELLigence MP; component analysis via HPLC.
   • Preparation of DNA/RNA libraries for next-generation sequencing (NGS), including amplicon libraries for phylogenetic identification (16S / 18S / ITS, Cox1, etc.).
   • Large-scale genotyping and promoter methylation analysis using microarray technology.
   • Genotyping and gene expression studies using quantitative PCR / real-time PCR.
6. Data analysis from the experiments carried out, and participation in the writing of scientific publications, conference presentations, and other related projects.
7. Supervision of undergraduate, master’s, and PhD students in the group.
8. Participation in outreach activities and public engagement events of the research center.

(Please, see  FULL CALL FOR APPLICATION)

I. Entry requirements:

Required Qualifications:

• Education level: PhD in Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or related disciplines
• Field of research: 3D cell cultures (organoids, organ-on-a-chip) and cancer lipid metabolism

Other specific requirements:

• Minimum of 4 years of postdoctoral experience in public or private R&D centers or universities, either in Spain or abroad, related to research in the relevant area.
• Proven authorship of scientific publications in cancer and/or metabolism, indexed in Q1 journals (with relevant authorship positions). Minimum of 3 first-author publications.

II. Evaluation of Qualifications:

A) Candidate’s Academic and Professional Merits:

• Contributions:
  • Co-author of high-quality scientific publications (indexed in international databases), with several first-author papers.
  • Co-author of presentations at scientific conferences.
• Participation in R&D activities:
  • Participation in competitive scientific projects (public or private funding), at national and international level, in fields related to cancer, metabolism, and/or precision nutrition.
  • Participation as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) will be highly valued.

• International mobility: Research stays in international research centers.
• English proficiency:
  • High level of English in reading, writing, and speaking, verifiable (C1 level of the Common European Framework of Reference or equivalent).
  • English proficiency will be evidenced by presenting an official certificate or, alternatively, by passing a written and/or oral test during the selection process.

B) Other Additional Merits (further training, professional experience, etc.):

Additional training (other degrees, additional knowledge):

• Knowledge/certification in organ-on-a-chip technology and in mouse and human organoid cultures (tumor and healthy tissues).

Professional experience to be valued:

• Experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques: basic and 3D cell culture (organoids), RNA and protein isolation and quantification, DNA cloning and editing, immunofluorescence, RT-qPCR, gene expression analysis, metabolic activity assays (Seahorse bioanalyzer), and various cellular behavior assays (migration, invasion, proliferation using ACEA xCELLigence).
• Certified professional experience in the management of programs and projects (writing, consortium formation, use of project management software) for at least 4 years.
• Certified professional experience in managing nonprofit scientific associations related to cancer or similar fields, for at least 2 years.
• Proficiency in office software (MS Office, online databases) and statistical software (GraphPad, SigmaPlot).
• Experience supervising undergraduate or master’s thesis projects will be positively valued.
• Participation in drafting proposals for securing external funding.
• Contributions to cross-cutting scientific activities (dissemination of results).

Skills and Competencies (to be assessed during the interview):

• Proactive, autonomous, responsible, methodical person, with attention to detail and high rigor in work, problem-solving skills, positive attitude, dynamic, and efficient.
• Strong orientation toward project- and goal-based work, with deadlines.
• Ability to work in a team, flexibility, and high level of commitment and dedication.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written, and capable of high-level interaction.

The selection of candidates shall be carried out in accordance with the principles of equality, merit, ability and publicity, as well as objectivity, independence and professional rigour, respecting the confidentiality of the personal data of the participants, by means of a merit-based competition.

Once the deadline for the submission of applications has expired, and once the fulfilment of the requirements listed in the second base has been verified, the Selection Committee will proceed to assess the merits included in the curricula vitae related to the post and to select the candidates who best meet the established requirements, and will then open a second selection phase consisting of a personal interview.

The personal interview will consist of a face-to-face or videoconference interview which will focus solely on the merits put forward by the candidates in the competition phase and will be aimed at assessing the candidate's suitability for the post. The interview will last a maximum of 45 minutes.

Scale - selection criteria:

The evaluation process will be carried out according to the following criteria:

I.Academic and Professional Merits: 0–40 *
II. Other Merits to Be Evaluated: 0–30 *
III. Interview: 0–30

Type of contract: Permanent employment contract for scientific-technical project activities (Article 23 bis of the Science Law), in accordance with current legislation, with a trial period as established by law.

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, split schedule from Monday to Friday.

Gross Annual Salary: Highly competitive salary based on qualifications and experience.

Contract Duration: open-ended.

Start Date: immediate.

Headquarter of the IMDEA Food Insitute, Madrid (SPAIN)