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Postdoctoral Fellows for Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Discovery

On-site in Barcelona·Full-time·Added yesterday

Still open when we checked on 8 Oct

IRB Barcelona

12 open roles

Overview

Job details

  • Full-time

    Per the ad.

  • A relocation package

    Help with the move, per the ad.

  • Visa sponsorship mentioned

    Stated by the employer in the ad.

Requirements

  • Work in English

    English is required, per the ad.

  • Work on-site in Barcelona

    A relocation package offered.

  • University degree

    “PhD in a relevant field, with expertise in either synthetic chemistry or biology.” — per the ad.

Skills

Requirements

What we're looking for

  • PhD in a relevant field, with expertise in either synthetic chemistry or biology.

  • Experience in conceptual or technical aspects related to the project or the group research line.

  • Demonstrated ability to design and conduct experiments independently.

  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively.

  • Strong organizational and multitasking skills.

  • Attention to detail and accuracy.

  • Proficiency in English (both written and spoken).

  • Highly motivated, enthusiastic and collaborative person.

  • Willingness to adapt and learn.

  • Ability to work independently in a demanding research environment.

  • Desire to perform impactful research that is of value to society.

Nice to have

  • Familiarity with mammalian cell culture, as well as cell and molecular biology techniques.

  • Familiarity with chemical biology techniques, including mass spectrometry-based proteomic methods involving small molecule photoaffinity probes, as well as those used in cell-based target validation and mechanism of action studies.

  • Familiarity with synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry techniques.

  • Familiarity with glial cell-related neuroscience, immunology, or cancer biology.

  • Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.

  • Experience with data analysis software.

  • Skills: Independence, self-motivation, self-learning abilities, and goal-oriented.

Pay & benefits

What you'll get

To be a part a part of something meaningful: We are a biomedical research centre that tirelessly works to achieve a society free of diseases. Our mission is to carry out research of excellence to cure cancer and other diseases linked to ageing.

Good Working conditions: Postdoctoral Contract for 3 years. Employed in compliance with Spanish legislation and regulations under a full-time contract. Employees receive the benefits of the Spanish Social Security system covering sickness, maternity/paternity leave and injuries at work.

Competitive salary: commensurate with experience and qualifications.

International Environment: Nearly 90 Postdoctoral researchers (more than a half non-Spanish nationals) are currently working at IRB Barcelona.

Multidisciplinary Research: Research of excellence at the unique interface between biology, chemistry, and structural and computational biology.

Training and Career: Postdoctoral researchers joining IRB Barcelona gain access to the Institute's advanced research training and career development opportunities, all within in a competitive international environment. Courses and workshops on themes of particular interest to postdocs are offered regularly by the Institute.

Relocation & Visa Assistance: Trained staff provides support on visa paperwork, administrative requirements, and practical information on living and working in Barcelona, etc.

Social Life: We like to have fun. We promote several activities, like a Football League, an annual skiing trip, a Mountaineering Club, a Running Club and "Cool-off sessions", where members meet informally for drinks, snacks and scientific discussions.

Fairness: Our recruitment is open, transparent and merit-based, and all applicants compete on the same terms. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.

The role

IRB Barcelona is seeking highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Fellows to participate in cutting edge research in the Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Discovery Research Group led by Dr. Luke Lairson.

What you'll do

  • Independently design and test biological hypotheses.

  • Plan, perform and interpret experiments.

  • Collaborate with a multidisciplinary research team, tapping into the expertise of fellow researchers and external collaborators.

  • Contribute to a culture of scientific excellence, efficiency, and teamwork.

  • Contribute to other lab projects and to the maintenance of protocols and laboratory resources in the group.

  • Critically analyze analytical results, participate in scientific discussions and in preparation of diverse forms of scientific communication (seminars and conferences).

  • Participate in the project activities: meetings, presentations, visits to other labs, collaboration, exchange of data sets, preparing project reports/deliverables.

  • Perform excellent research according to the high standards of the lab and the IRB Barcelona.

Hiring process

  • Deadline for applications: 05/11/2026 (If no suitable candidate is found, the deadline will be extended)

  • Number of positions available: 2

  • Selection process

    • Pre-selection: Will be based on CV, motivation letter & experience.

    • Interviews: Short-listed candidates will be interviewed.

    • Job offer: Will be sent to the successful candidate after the interview.

IRB BARCELONA endorses the Requirements and Principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and Open, Transparent, Merit-based recruitment promoted by the European Commission and follows Equal Opportunities policies.

On 9 December, 2014, IRB Barcelona was awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" logo. This recognition reflects the commitment of the Institute to the continuous improvement of its human resources policies in line with the Charter & Code. The Institute works to ensure fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures.

Please check our Recruitment Policy.

Note: The strengths and weaknesses of the applications will be provided upon request.

About IRB Barcelona

IRB Barcelona (Institute for Research in Biomedicine) is a leading biomedical research center located in Barcelona, Spain. It focuses on fundamental and applied research in areas such as cell biology, genomics, computational biology, and drug discovery. The institute is recognized internationally for its scientific output and is affiliated with the Barcelona Science Park and the University of Barcelona, employing hundreds of researchers and support staff.

For international professionals, IRB Barcelona offers a highly collaborative, English-speaking research environment with state-of-the-art facilities, including high-performance computing and advanced scientific platforms. The institute actively recruits postdoctoral and predoctoral researchers from around the world, as well as technical and administrative staff, making it an attractive destination for those seeking to advance their careers in biomedical science in Spain.

Founded
2005
Employees
500–1,000
Headquarters
Barcelona, Spain
In Spain
Barcelona

Good to know if you are moving

  • IRB Barcelona is an international research institute with English as the working language, making it accessible for non-Spanish speakers.
  • The institute is located in the Barcelona Science Park, a hub for innovation and collaboration with biotech companies.
  • Postdoctoral and predoctoral positions are funded by competitive grants, offering competitive salaries and access to advanced training programs.
  • Barcelona offers a high quality of life, with a Mediterranean climate, vibrant culture, and a large international community.
  • The institute provides support for relocation and administrative procedures for international researchers.

In their own words

About the company & team

Created in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia) and the University of Barcelona, IRB Barcelona is a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence-a seal that was awarded in 2011.

The institute is devoted to conducting research of excellence in biomedicine and to transferring results to clinical practice, thus improving people's quality of life, while simultaneously promoting the training of outstanding researchers, technology transfer, and public communication of science. Its 27 laboratories and 9 core facilities address basic questions in biology and are orientated to diseases such as cancer, metastasis, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and rare conditions.

IRB Barcelona is an international centre that hosts 500 members and 45 nationalities. It is located in the Barcelona Science Park. IRB Barcelona forms part of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) and the "Xarxa de Centres de Recerca de Catalunya" (CERCA).

All open roles at IRB Barcelona
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See all 12 jobs