The Institute

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research' logo from the European Commission (https://www.crg.eu/en/content/careers/hr-excellence-research). This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/european-charter) and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code) (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code).

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy (https://www.crg.eu/sites/default/files/crg/crg_recruitment_policy.pdf ).


The role

Successful candidates will join the Oocyte Biology & Cellular Dormancy Group on a project funded by a 2022 ERC Consolidator Grant. They will investigate aspects of oocyte biology that is important for metabolism and/or protein homeostasis in oocytes. Successful candidates will combine genetic and biochemical perturbations with imaging and –omics techniques to reveal the strategies through which oocytes evade ageing for decades and why such mechanisms fail with advanced age.


About the lab

Group leader: Elvan Böke, Ph.D

Our lab focuses on one of the biggest problems developed nations are facing in 21st century: Late-stage motherhood, and associated fertility problems. The decrease in fertility rates is leading to a population decline in majority of the developed nations from Japan to Spain, which will have unprecedented consequences for our societies in near future. Poor oocyte quality accounts for the majority of female fertility problems, however, we know little about how oocytes can remain healthy for many years or why their quality eventually declines with age. World-wide data show that more than 25% of female fertility problems are unexplained, pointing to a huge gap in our understanding of female reproduction. Our lab strives to help fill this gap by studying immature oocytes. We’re interested in three main lines of research:

1. How do oocytes maintain protein homeostasis?
(See Holehouse et al., 2021, Biochemistry; Dhandapani et al., 2022, Journal of Cell Science)

2. What is the metabolic state in oocytes?
(See Rodriguez et al., 2022, Nature)

3. Are primordial oocytes susceptible to aging?


Whom would we like to hire?

Professional experience

Must Have
- A Ph.D in Biology, Biophysics or a related field
- At least one first author paper published or in review in a peer-reviewed journal

Desirable but not required/ Nice to have
- Previous experience with mammalian oocytes or ovaries.

Languages
- You are proficient in English

Technical skills
- You have advanced MS Office skills


The Offer – Working Conditions

- Duration: 3 years
- Salary: A competitive salary based on professional experience
- Starting date: To be negotiated, with the potential for starting immediately

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section (https://www.crg.eu/en/content/training).

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.


Application Procedure

All applications must include:

1. A motivation letter addressed to Dr Elvan Böke.
2. A complete CV including contact details.
3. Contact details of two referees.

All applications must be addressed to Dr. Elvan Böke and be submitted online on the CRG Career site - https://recruitment.crg.eu/content/jobs/position/postdoctoral-positions


Selection Process

- Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected on the candidates CVS. It will be merit-based.
- Interview: Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and a selection panel if required.
- Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is identified the People department will send a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary, working conditions, among other important details.


Deadline: Please submit your application by May 26th, 2023.


Suggestions: The CRG believes in ongoing improvement and promotes a culture of feedback. This is one of the reasons we have in place, at your disposal as a candidate, a mechanism to gather your suggestions/complaints concerning your candidate experience in our recruitment processes. Your feedback really matters to us in our aim at creating a positive candidate journey. You can make a difference and help us improve by letting us know your suggestions through the following form (https://recruitment.crg.eu/webforms/recruitment-contact-form-suggestionscomplaints).


This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe.