This contract is financing by  Community of Madrid and  European Union, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) - REACT-EU resources of the Madrid Operational Program 2014-2020, in the action line of R+D+i projects in response to COVID 19.

Action financed by the Agreement signed on April 8, 2022 between Comunity of  Madrid (Consejería de Educación, Universidades, Ciencia y Portavocía) and IMDEA Food Foundation for the direct granting to finance research actions on SARS-CoV 2 and the COVID-19 disease, financed with REACT-EU resources from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

The work activity of the research assistant will be carrying out scientific-technical activities in the research project "Understanding and Coping with Persistent COVID-19 through Precision Nutrition"-"FACINGLCOVID-CM"- Scientific Objective 2.

Main functions: The work plan focuses on:

- Collaborate in the identification of genomic and epigenomic markers of immunocompetence and tendency for inflammatory phenomena, as well as endogenous signatures of the microbiota that influence antiviral defenses and the severity of COVID-19.

- Help in set up of the scientific equipments acquired in the EU-REACT project.

- Evaluate microRNAs from the diet and their possible role in inflammation, impact on lipid metabolism and their bioactive function in the body.

- Isolate extracellular vesicles as a possible signature of the microbiota. Evaluate the biodistribution of miRNAs present in the extracellular vesicles of the diet.

Education requirement:

Master's degree in Biomedical Sciences or Experimental Sciences (Biology, Biochemistry, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Nutrition or Food Sciences) in the last 3 years.

Additional training to assess:

- Knowledge and experience in epigenetics, microRNAs and in the field of extracellular vesicles.

- Knowledge of bioinformatics tools will be valued

- High English level.

Professional experience of interest:

- Experience in size exclusion chromatography.

- Experience in general laboratory management. Experience in RNA extraction, q-RT-PCR, miRNAs analysis, isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles.

- Management of techniques such as flow cytometry, colonic fermentation, Western Blott, cell cultures will be valued.

Other valuable merits:

- Participation as co-author in scientific publications and conferences.

- Ability to write scientific documents

- Scientific dissemination tasks

- Statistical skills management of programs such as SPSS, R, Graphpad

Researcher skills:

Results-oriented research, with a proactive, responsible and enterprising personality.

- Organizational capacity and proactive attitude.

- Capacity for teamwork with ability for personal relationships.

- Motivation for science

Candidates will be selected based on the profiles described in Annex 1 as appropriately outlined in their CV by a Selection Committee composed by scientist staff of IMDEA Food Institute. Ad-hoc experts could be participating in the process. The best-qualified applicants can be invited locally for an interview by the Selection Committee.

The personal interview will consist of conducting a face-to-face or videoconference interview that will deal only with the merits declared by the candidates in the competition phase and will be aimed at assessing the candidate's suitability for the position. The interview will have a maximum duration of 45 minutes.

Selection criteria:

I. Additional training to assess: 0-30* 

II. Aditional Professional experience & expertise: 0-30*

II. Other merits : 0-10*

III. Interview: 0-30*

Type of contract: employment contract according to current legislation, with trial period established by law.

Dedication: full time (37,5 hours per week), flexible split day, from Monday to Friday.

Initial funding: until December 31st, 2022. 

Annual gross salary: 20,000 – 23,000 euro, according to the merits and experience of the candidate.

Incorporation: immediately .

Headquarter of the IMDEA Food Insitute, Madrid (SPAIN)