IC65_25 – JUNIOR RESEARCHER FOR DIAMET GROUP

Job description

The Pere Virgili Institute for Health Research (IISPV) is an institution that integrates research in the field of biomedicine in the “Camp de Tarragona” and the “Terres de l’Ebre”. The IISPV is the instrument that the university hospitals of both health regions have been endowed with (Joan XXIII University Hospital of Tarragona, Verge de la Cinta Hospital of Tortosa, Sant Joan de Reus University Hospital, Institut Pere Mata University Hospital of Reus) and Rovira and Virgili University, in order to bring together and manage biomedical research and innovation in the territory.

Number of available positions: 1

The selected candidate will perform the following tasks:

– Contribute to the implementation of the SUC_LIVE project, focused on understanding the physiological and pathological roles of the succinate-SUCNR1 signaling axis in metabolic regulation, with special emphasis on early systemic responses to diets inducing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD).

– Design, perform, and analyze preclinical experiments to investigate how short-term exposure to obesogenic or steatogenic diets affects the hypothalamus and peripheral metabolic tissues.

– Characterize the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which diet-induced changes in succinate signaling modulate hepatic and hypothalamic metabolism, focusing on nutrient sensing, mitochondrial activity, and inflammatory pathways.

– Evaluate sex-dependent differences in metabolic, endocrine, and neuroinflammatory responses to MASLD-inducing diets, integrating data from both central and peripheral tissues.

– Perform molecular and histological analyses, including RNA and protein profiling, immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, and functional assays related to energy metabolism and mitochondrial function.

– Ensure rigorous data collection, analysis, and documentation in compliance with ethical and biosafety standards.

– Participate in the interpretation and integration of experimental results, preparation of scientific reports and manuscripts, and dissemination of findings through conferences and collaborative activities.

CANDIDATE PROFILE & REQUIREMENTS

Please note that candidates must submit all necessary documentation along with their CV to demonstrate that they meet the minimum requirements to be admitted into the next phase.

• Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biomedicine, or related discipline. Double degrees will be considered an asset. A minimum academic grade of 8/10 is required.
• Master’s degree in Biomedicine, Metabolism or a closely related biomedical discipline.
• Advanced training in metabolic regulation and inflammation, with emphasis on glucose-insulin dynamics and systemic tissue homeostasis. Experience in immunometabolism will be highly valued.
• Competence and experience with:
• In vivo models of metabolic diseases. A valid animal handling certificate is mandatory.
• Primary cell culture and immortalized cell lines.
• Molecular and cellular biology techniques (e.g., Western blot, qPCR, ELISA, IHC/IF, microscopy, flow cytometry, proteomics, RNA-seq/single-cell RNA-seq).
• Metabolic phenotyping assays (e.g., GTT, ITT, PTT, Seahorse, etc.).
• Data management and analysis using statistical and bioinformatics approaches.
• Proven record of scientific publications in peer-reviews journals relevant to the field.
• Minimum 5 years of research experience in metabolism or related biomedical areas.
• Documented participation in national and international scientific congresses, including poster and/or oral presentations.
• International scientific experience (research stays, collaborations) in recognized institutions.
• Previous experience in science communication, public engagement, or outreach activities.
• Excellent written and spoken English (minimum level C1 or equivalent). Knowledge of additional languages will be valued.
• Prior involvement in university-level teaching activities.
• Documented participation in competitively funded research projects.

IT WILL BE VALUED

• Understanding of the fundamental mechanisms regulating metabolism and energy balance.
• Advanced skills in figure and graphical design for scientific publication.
• Merits such as academic or research awards will be considered an asset.
• Proficiency in data analysis and image quantification software, such as GraphPad Prism, R, or Fiji.
• Demonstrated scientific writing and critical reading skills, including experience in grant proposal preparation.
• Experience in supervising undergraduate students in research settings.
• Analytical and problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
• Willingness to learn and adapt to new techniques and research contexts.
• Have demonstrated ability to produce data under supervision.
• Motivation, creativity, initiative and proactive attitude.
• Commitment to quality, to optimizing resources and to achieving results.
• Teamwork and organizational skills, as well as kindness, dynamism, versatility, rigor, responsibility, and confidentiality.
• Have the ambition to develop knowledge of research methodologies and discipline.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

• Selection of CV’s. Suitable and unsuitable CV’s will be identified according to the requirements. Applicants who do not meet the requirements indicated in the candidate profile and requirements will not pass to the next phase.
• Evaluation of the CV. Evaluation of the CVs up to a maximum score of 60 points.
• Cover Letter. Attach to the resume a cover letter with a maximum length of 2500 characters with spaces. With a maximum score of 10 points.

To access the interview phase it is necessary to have obtained a minimum score of 60 points in the sum of scores of the evaluation of the curriculum and cover letter.

• Personal interview. With a maximum score of 30 points.

The selected person must have obtained a minimum score of 80 points in the sum of scores from the assessment of all phases of the selection procedure.

SELECTION COMMITTEE

• President: Sonia Fernández-Veledo (Group Leader, R4)
• Chair 1: Victòria Ceperuelo-Mallafré (Senior Researcher, R3)
• Chair 2: Lídia Cedó (Senior Researcher, R3)

SUBSTITUTES:

• President: Joan Vendrell (Full Professor, R4)
• Chair 1: Ana Madeira (Post doctoral Researcher, R2)
• Chair 2: Ana Megia (Clinical Reserarcher, R3)

CANDIDATURES 

• The CV must include the DNI/NIE number or another personal identity document number.
• Send the CV and the Cover Letter through the form that you will find on the bottom of the offer page https://www.iispv.cat/treballa-amb-nosaltres/

For any questions or queries: recruitment@iispv.cat

DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF CV 24/10/2025

COMMUNICATIONS

The IISPV will notify the candidates of the results of the different phases of the selection process through its website.

HRS4R Research in HR Excellence

The IISPV has the European accreditation The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), complies with the general principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the recruitment of researchers.

The IISPV has an internal recruitment policy that follows the Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) policies. More information about the HRS4R policies implemented at the IISPV is available on the following website: https://www.iispv.cat/hrs4r-hr-excellenceresearch/

The IISPV will guarantee the right to equal opportunities and treatment, as well as the real and effective exercise of rights by people with disabilities under equal conditions with respect to other citizens, through the promotion of personal autonomy, universal accessibility, access to employment, inclusion in the community and independent living and the eradication of any form of discrimination, in accordance with articles 9.2, 10, 14 and 49 of the Spanish Constitution and the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and international treaties and agreements ratified by Spain.

In the event of a tie, priority will be given to hiring the person with a disability.

In the event of a tie between people of different genders, the person of the least represented gender in the work group/department/service in which he joins will be hired.