The contract is part of the RYC2022-037626-I project, funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the FSE+, with RYC2022-037626-I as the reference of the grant listed in the award resolution. MCIU stands for the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities; AEI stands for the State Research Agency; 10.13039/501100011033 is the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of the Agency; and FSE+ stands for the European Social Fund Plus.

The aim is to carry out scientific-technical activities linked to a line of research carried out by the research group and requires its development in the form of the following R+D+I project:

“ Efectos de la dieta y la ingesta accidental de nanoplasticos sobre el epigenoma”

Main functions to be developed:

- Technical-scientific support in the experimental development of the research line: organization, development of methods and processing of experimental samples.

- Experimental development in: cell cultures, culture of intestinal organoids, isolation and characterization of extracellular vesicles, gene expression analysis (RNA, DNA isolation, qPCR, Digital-PCR).

- Gastrointestinal digestions and bioavailability studies in Caco-2 cellular models and 3D models (intestinal organoids) and study of toxicological effects of plastics ingested through the diet.

- Evaluation of the epigenetic effect through the study of circulating microRNAs and DNA methylation

- Processing and analysis of data from the project experiments, as well as preparation and presentation of their reports.

- Use of animal models for biodistribution and biological effects of nanoplastics

- Participation in teaching, dissemination activities or scientific collaborations.

I. Access requirements:

Education requirements:

* Education level:

- University degree in biology, biotechnology, pharmacy, food science and technology, nutrition, biochemistry or biomedicine

- Official university Master's degree in areas related to biomedicine.

* Research field: Biomedicine

II. Evaluation of merits:

Other Education to evaluate:

- Knowledge of complex cellular models (organoids) will be valued.

- Knowledge in the field of extracellular vesicles will be valued

- Training and experience with experimental animals will be valued

Other scientific experience & expertise to evaluate:

- Contrasted experience working in a biomedical research laboratory.

- Experience in handling cell lines and organoid models

- Experience in flow cytometry

- Experience in the development of gastrointestinal digestions and bioavailability studies

- Experience working with extracellular vesicles

- Experience in structure determination using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) or mass spectroscopy (MS)

Other merits to evaluate:

- Experience in working with microplastics and nanoplastics

- Official scholarships from national or regional organizations (e.g. Ministry, CCAA or others) that reward academic performance or excellence

- Research collaboration scholarships

- Participation in scientific conferences and scientific publications

Capabilities & Skills (to evaluate in the interview):

- Suitability to the position.

- High motivation to learn new methodologies/technologies.

- Ability to work independently, but with a good disposition to work in a team/collaboration as part of a group.

- Ability to develop new research protocols based on scientific literature.

- Organization capacity, good communication skills, determined, with high proactivity, initiative and responsibility.

- Knowledge of the English language

The selection of candidates will be carried out in accordance with the principles of equality, merit, capacity and publicity, as well as objectivity, independence and professional rigor, respecting the confidentiality of the participants' personal data, 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: 0-20*

II.Additional professional experience to be assessed: 0-30*.

III.Other merits to be valued: 0-20

IV.Interview: 0-30

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

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

Annual gross salary: €23,962 gross per year.

Duration: indeterminate, linked to the funding from the RYC2022-037626-I.

Incorporation: inmediately

 Headquarter of the IMDEA Food Insitute, Madrid (SPAIN)