This contract is co-financed at 40 per cent by the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), 2021-2027, as well as by the Community of Madrid.

The Cellular and Molecular Gerontology Laboratory within the IMDEA Food Institute is looking for a motivated research assistant for the development of group projects related to metabolism, ageing, microbiome and cancer.

The performance of scientific-technical activities linked to the line of research carried out by the research group, requires its development in the form of the following research project:"Evaluation of microbiota remodelling as a tool to extend healthy ageing (HE)" focuses on: 

1) assessment of changes in the microbiota occurring during ageing. 

2) the use of sustainable calorie restriction strategies (known as the most robust nutritional intervention to slow down the ageing process at the physiological and molecular level) to modulate the microbiota; and

3) microbiota-based strategies to enhance cancer protection.

Main functions to be carried out:

The scientific-technical activities to be developed by the research assistant will be the following:

- Experimental development related to the project. 

- Experimental and technical support to the research staff of the group in relation to the project/s.

- Cell Biology Techniques: Maintenance of cell line culture (thaw-freezing, preparation of culture media, etc.), cell proliferation assays, colony formation assays, mitochondrial and glycolytic activity analysis assays, cell cycle analysis, apoptosis analysis, etc.

- Molecular Biology Techniques: RNA and DNA isolation, Retrotranscription (RNA to cDNA), quantitative and qualitative analysis of nucleic acids, design and validation of primers, gene expression analysis by PCRs and qPCRs, protein quantification, Western Blot, ELISAs, etc.

- Microbiology techniques: culture of bacterial species, sowing in culture media, preparation of specific media, colony forming unit (CFU) assays, viability assays (colorimetric assay with resazurin), microbiological stains (Gram, Ziehl-Neelsen), serial dilution technique, enzyme activity assays.

- Development of experiments in murine animal models: longevity studies, induced carcinogenesis, and faecal microbiota analysis.

- Set-up and development of human population trials (recruitment of individuals, questionnaires, database generation).

Qualifications required:

* Level of education.

University Degree in Health Sciences (Biology, Biochemistry, or Similar).

Additional training to be assessed (other degrees, other knowledge)

* Completion of a Master's degree in Biomedicine or similar.

* Possession of the Certificate to work with experimental animals, functions A, B and C.

* Average mark of the Bachelor's and Master's degree, if applicable.

Additional professional experience to be assessed:

* Previous experience in research laboratories in relation to the activities to be developed.

* Experience in handling murine animal models (gastric probes, physical activity tests, glucose and insulin tolerance tests, tumour cellulase injection, restraint, weighing, necropsies, sacrifice, etc.).

* Experience in scientific dissemination activities to the general public.

* Previous experience in clinical analysis laboratories and/or working with patient samples.

Other merits to be valued:

* Participation and presentation of communications in scientific congresses in areas of research related to the job post.

* Courses and training activities related to the subject [data analysis, microbiology, ageing].

* Computer software (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, GraphPad Prism, ImageJ, RasMol, IGV, Fast-QC, Jalview, ClustalX2, SnapGene).

* Handling of bibliographic managers (Mendeley, Zotero, RefWorks).

Use of statistical software (R, SPSS).

Writing research project applications to ethical committees.

Official English certificate.

Skills and abilities (to be assessed in the interview):

* Motivation.

* Teamwork skills.

* Fluency in English.

* Knowledge of the area of research for the job.

* Problem solving skills.

* Organisational and time management skills.

After the deadline for submission of applications, and once compliance with the requirements listed in the second base have been verified, the Selection Committee will proceed to assess the documented merits included in the curricula vitae and to select the candidatures that best suit the established requirements; then a second selection phase will then be opened, consisting of a personal interview.

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 experience & expertise to assess: 0-30*

         II. Other merits to assess : 0-10*

        III. Interview: 0-30*

- Type of contract: employment contract for scientific-technical activities (art. 23 bis Science Law) with a probationary period established by law.

- Dedication: 37.5 h/week in split shifts, from Monday to Friday.

The contract shall be totally incompatible with any other public or private employment, with any other salary or wage, including hourly or casual work.

- Gross annual salary: 20,415 euros (prorated over 12 payments).

- Duration: indefinite-term contract, linked to funding from the call for grants regulated in ORDER 1711/2023, of 19 May, of the Vice-Presidency, Regional Ministry of Education and Universities (two-year grants), with the period commencing on the date on which the staff take up their posts, which will be specified in the contract to be formalised.

 - Incorporation: immediate.

Headquarter of the IMDEA Food Insitute, Madrid (SPAIN)