Predoctoral researcher Brain Metabolism Lab

Job title:

Predoctoral researcher Brain Metabolism Lab

Company:

IQS – Universitat Ramon Llull

Job description

The University Ramon Llull is a confederation of schools, faculties and departments. IQS is its oldest founding member and consists of two major schools, the School of Engineering and the School of Management that form each an administrative grouping of departments and other institutions among which there are three strategic academic divisions: IQS Executive Education that offers cutting-edge and transformative learning experiences to business leaders; IQS Tech Transfer that promotes research with impact, innovation and technology transfer for companies and organizations and IQS Tech Factory that fosters entrepreneurship and supports the creation of new scientific-technological companies.With 100 years of teaching experience, IQS is a university center of reference, committed to donating responses to the continuum of challenges that the social, economic, technological and industrial context poses.Our mission and commitment are to cultivate individuals with values and competencies needed to flourish humanely and professionally.R1 – predoctoral researcher (PhD student)The Brain Metabolism lab (P.I. Dr. Jordi Duran), in collaboration with the Grup d’Enginyeria de Materials (Gemat; P.I. Dr. Cristina Fornaguera) is looking for a recently graduated MSc to develop his/her PhD thesis in the frame of a research project funded by Fundación Ramón Areces. The project is focused on the development of a polymeric nanoparticles, encapsulating therapeutic mRNAs and with ability to cross the blood-brain barrier, to become a novel therapy for a rare genete neurodegenerative condition named Lafora disease.Our previous work (Brain metabolism lab) demonstrates that restoring the expression of the mutated gene is a promising therapeutic approach for the treatment of Lafora disease. Furthermore, in Gemat previous work, a library of polymeric nanoparticles was generated with demonstrated ability to efficiently encapsulate mRNAs and cross the blood-brain barrier after systemic administration thanks to the functionalization with active targeting moieties. Based on these previous results, the project aims demonstrate at a preclinical level, the therapeutic efficacy of mRNA-loaded nanoparticles for the treatment of Lafora disease. Thus, we are looking for a PhD candidate to be integrated in the project. The candidate will be in charge on the synthesis of a library of nanoparticles, and the assessment of their efficacy. The candidate will formulate these nanoparticles, characterize them physico-chemically (using techniques such as spectroscopy, light scattering, microscopy), and test them both in vitro (using model cell cultures and analysis techniques such as confocal microscopy, flow cytometry, qPCR, and western blotting), and in vivo (using mouse models of the disease).The selected candidat will:

• Execute the proposed experiments.
• Eventually supervise MSc or undergraduate students.
• Support the research group in administrative, logistical and any other required task.
• Be involved in a young and dynamic research group.

Conditions:

• Full-time (38,5 h/week)
• Incorporation in March-April, 2025
• Length of the contract until March, 2028

This project is funded by Fundación Ramón Areces.The selected candidate must:

• Hold a BSc and a MSc in Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Sciences or Engineering, Materials Sciences, Chemistry or similar sciences.
• Have experience in a research laboratory focused to biomaterials / nanomedicine.
• Have knowledge and optionally expertise on the synthesis and design of polymers, formulation of polymeric nanomedicines, nano-characterization, cell culture experimentation and in vivo models.
• Holding the animal experimentation title will also be evaluated positively.

We are an equal opportunity employer. We promote equality and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions or any other characteristic protected by law. We strongly welcome applications from female candidates as they are currently under-represented at this level in this field of knowledge in our School.We also promote scientific and technological knowledge, business transformation and societal progress. At IQS we look for professionals committed to both these values.

Expected salary

Location

Barcelona

Job date

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 01:43:07 GMT

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