This contract is funded by the “Project carried out within the framework of the PRODEX programme of the European Space Agency (ESA).”

IMDEA Food Nutrition is part of the Network of Madrid Institutes for Advanced Studies promoted by the Community of Madrid, with the aim of developing research that is useful for society and of international scientific excellence.

Within this framework, and within the Translational Venomics research group, the following research project is being carried out: “Venom-derived senolytics: unlocking anti-aging solutions for space exploration and human longevity.” Project: ESA/PRODEX 2024, for which a postdoctoral researcher is required.

Ref. PD2025-024-PRODEX/ESA – Postdoctoral Researcher

Principal Investigator:Dra. María Ikonomopoulou

Research Group: Translational Venomics

Research Program: Precision Nutrition and Aging

Research Line: Venom-based drug discovery

Our multidisciplinary research integrates basic and applied methodologies to unravel the molecular mechanisms of compounds derived from animal venoms. The overall objective is to investigate the anti-aging properties of these compounds.

The selected candidate will be primarily responsible for the design, planning, execution, and analysis of experiments aimed at evaluating the potential of a small protein to prevent or eliminate cellular senescence, including the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), under accelerated aging conditions such as those experienced in space.

The postdoctoral researcher will design, plan, and carry out laboratory experiments including hepatic cell and organoid culture, cell biology studies, imaging techniques, biochemistry, gene expression analysis, experimental data analysis including multi-omics analyses, and the interpretation of statistical results.

They will prepare integrated summaries for reports, manuscripts, and scientific projects, and will work closely with the Head of the Translational Venomics Group and other team members.

In addition, they will supervise and train trainees, including internship students, undergraduate and master’s final project students, PhD candidates, and exchange students.

They will coordinate laboratory activities such as order management, maintenance of materials and reagents, and care of research equipment, and will act as the main point of contact for coordination with external collaborators (national and international) involved in the ESA project, as well as for the dissemination of results at national and international conferences.

Please, FULL CALL FOR APPLICATION

I. Entry requirements:

Required qualifications:

Level of education: PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or another similar discipline.

Research field: Biotechnology.

II. Assessment of merits

Additional training to be considered (other degrees / additional knowledge):

• Training workshops, seminars, or diplomas in omics, molecular/cellular, and metabolic techniques.
• Demonstrable knowledge of a range of desirable experimental techniques, including multi-omics, molecular biology, cell culture, multifunctional high-throughput plate-based assays, and light microscopy.
• Presentations at international conferences.
• Fluent command of English (spoken and written).

Professional experience to be considered:

• Postdoctoral experience under a doctoral/postdoctoral contract of at least 5 years in public or private R&D&I centers, in Spanish or foreign universities, related to research in the corresponding field.
• Co-authorship of high-impact scientific publications (indexed in international databases), including several as first author, as well as participation in books or scientific book chapters of high impact in areas such as liver research, metabolism, drug discovery, or cell biology, with at least five articles as first author or co-author.
• International mobility through research stays of more than one year in foreign research centers.
• Participation in research projects funded through competitive calls.
• Co-authorship of communications at scientific conferences.
• Experience in supervising, directing, or co-directing PhD theses, bachelor’s final projects, and master’s final projects.

Other merits to be considered:

• Specific experience in the research area of the position (drug screening, gene expression and omics, including data analysis).
• Previous experience in the determination of complex cellular signaling mechanisms and/or in the elucidation of molecular mechanisms of action will be positively valued.
• Extensive experience in a variety of desirable experimental techniques, including flow cytometry and metabolic flux determination using Seahorse technology.
• Experience in the use of statistical analysis software and understanding of bioinformatics analysis.
• Participation in cross-cutting activities (research dissemination and outreach).

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

• Ability to work independently on both routine tasks and new assignments
• Demonstrated strong organizational skills and ability to work as part of a team.
• Proactive and positive attitude, with professional conduct.

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. Additional training to be assessed: 0-30*.

II. Experience to be assessed: 0-30*.

III. Other merits to be assessed: 0-10*.

IV. Interview: 0-30

Contract type: Permanent employment contract for scientific-technical project activities (Art. 23 bis of the Spanish Science Act), in accordance with current legislation, including the legally established trial period.

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

Gross annual salary: Highly competitive remuneration based on the candidate’s qualifications and experience

Duration: Permanent, subject to project/funding availability
Start date: Immediate

THeadquarter of the IMDEA Food Insitute, Madrid (SPAIN)