Senior Technician expert in single-cell omics technologies

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in the following main areas: Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Maternal, Child and Reproductive Health; Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction (received the first accreditation in 2019 and renewed it in 2024), a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

In the framework of our Centre for Excellence Severo Ochoa Programme (CEX2023-001290-S), ISGlobal is seeking a postdoctoral scientist with advanced expertise in single-cell biology who is interested in taking over a senior technician position to boost the implementation of different types of single-cell technologies at ISGlobal. The overall goal of this position is to provide support to ISGlobal scientists in establishing optimized pipelines for different single-cell techniques, including experimental and bioinformatic analysis pipelines.

The Project

As part of the newly awarded Severo Ochoa grant, ISGlobal aims to build capacity on single-cell omics technologies, including single-cell genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics. This will be used to enhance our capacity to investigate key biological questions, using microbial and human samples from in vitro cultures, in vivo models and epidemiological studies. The development of innovative single-cell omics technologies will allow fostering internationally competitive omics-related infectious diseases (IDs) research at ISGlobal.
Thus far, ISGlobal researchers have used multi-omic approaches to study the human host, pathogens and microbiota for multiple IDs. This was performed in the context of omics-level surveillance and of basic research on host-parasite interactions and immunology. It resulted in the generation of knowledge such as the identification of fingerprints for a wide range of microorganisms, characterisation of silent reservoirs or predictors of vaccine efficacy. This SO action will allow pushing the scope and depth of omics work to frontier research, by dissecting the molecules and processes involved in disease at the cellular level.

This position will be supported by funding from the “Centro de Excelencia Severo Ochoa 2024-2028” Program (CEX 2023-0001290-S) from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, and the Spanish Research State Agency (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).


TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE /QUALIFICATIONS
- PhD in the broad field of molecular and cellular biology, bioinformatics, genomics

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
- Advanced expertise in single-cell experiments is essential. Ideally, this expertise should include both experiment design and execution, including sample and library preparation and bioinformatic data analysis
- Knowledge of different single-cell platforms is a plus
- Knowledge of spatial transcriptomics is a plus
- Previous expertise in ID and/or immunology research is desirable but not essential
- Being proficient with the use of common single-cell analysis software packages is essential
- Advanced bioinformatics skills and programming in different informatic languages would be a plus but not a requirement.
- Ability to work closely with different teams in a highly collaborative environment
- Excellent time-management skills to combine tasks for specific teams with transversal tasks with demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
- Ability to liaise with people at different positions, with different levels of seniority and different profiles, both at ISGlobal and outside
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation; passion for science

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES and SPECIFIC DUTIES
- Stay up to date with the latest developments in single-cell technologies
- Provide advice to the different teams for the use of alternative single-cell platforms and scientific core facilities adapted to their needs.
- Contribute to the design of the experiments and plans, providing guidance on best practices and technical considerations.
- Liaise with the heads of the different scientific core facilities that offer single-cell services in Barcelona or elsewhere
- Liaise with the commercial and technical personnel from companies that offer single-cell equipment, kits and reagents; coordinate purchasing of materials between different groups
- Contribute to developing robust, standardized experimental and bioinformatic pipelines for all single-cell techniques used by ISGlobal teams
- Establish general quality controls, standards and good practices to ensure quality and reproducibility
- Provide training and support to the teams for the execution and analysis of specific experiments
- Provide support to the team leaders for the preparation of grant proposals that involve single-cell experiments

AUXILIAR TASK

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder.
This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional assessment process.

SKILLS
- Teamwork: Capacity to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Problem resolution.
- Learning capacity
- Excellent organization and coordination skills
- Demonstrated track record of achievements
- Great interpersonal skills: capacity to liaise with people with very different profiles

The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety. The post holder will respect, and accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.

LANGUAGE LEVEL
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are essential
- Desirable: proficient in Catalan and/or Spanish

CONDITIONS
- Duration: 3/4 years
- Starting date: September/October 2024
- Contract: full time
- Salary Range: According to experience and profile

HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must fill in the request form , attach the CV and a Cover Letter. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname.
The receipt of applications will be open until a candidate is selected.
Only the applications submitted through the request form will be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Diverse candidatures are encouraged, that includes: gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views.
Please contact Giulia Pollarolo (giulia.pollarolo@isglobal.org) for questions about this position.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.
If needed any technical test could be pass. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.
In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

ISGlobal supports the initiative #ScienceforUkraine. Therefore, to sustain Ukraine’s presence in the European Research Area and international scholarly community, candidates from Ukraine on all levels of scholarly career are welcome: students, PhD candidates, early career researchers and senior scholars.
We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.