The contract is part of grant PID2023-150271NB-C22, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033/FEDER, EU, where: PID2023-150271NB-C22 is the grant reference indicated in the award resolution; MICIU is the acronym for the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities; AEI is the acronym for the State Research Agency; 10.13039/501100011033 is the DOI (Digital Object Identifier) of the agency; and FEDER, EU is the acronym for the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union.

IMDEA Nutrition is part of the Network of Madrid Institutes for Advanced Studies, promoted by the Community of Madrid with the aim of conducting research that is useful to society and of international scientific excellence. Within this framework, project PID2023-150271NB-C22, entitled “BRAINT – Characterisation of Brain–Gut Profiles and Relationships through Resting-State EEG Activity and the Gut Microbiota”, is being carried out and requires qualified research personnel for its proper implementation.

The project "BRAINT – Characterization of BRAin-INTestine profiles and relationships through resting EEG activity and gut microbiota" (ref. PID2023-150271NB-C22), whose Principal Investigator is Dr. María Jesús Latasa Sada, is an observational clinical study in healthy adults. It combines resting-state EEG recording, gut microbiota sequencing and a neuropsychological paradigm. The project has a dual anchoring: its scientific anchor is the "Microbiota–gut–brain axis" research line of the Brain Health Research Programme, and its implementation anchor is the Clinical Trials Platform in Nutrition and Precision Health, specifically its biomarker identification and validation line.

The biostatistician/bioinformatician researcher will work within the BRAINT project (Ref. PID2023-150271NB-C22).

Main functions:

- Biostatistical/bioinformatic analysis of resting-state EEG and gut microbiota data: preprocessing, quality control, normalization and feature extraction.

- Development and validation of statistical and AI/Machine Learning models for brain-gut profiles and relationships, using supervised and unsupervised methods.

- Multimodal integration of neurophysiological, microbiological and other study variables; feature selection/dimensionality reduction and model interpretation.

- Reproducible workflows in Python/R, data/database management, documentation, version control and analysis automation.

- Use of digital agents as catalysts for analytical processes.

- Interpretation of results and preparation of reports, figures, scientific manuscripts and technical documentation.

Please, see  FULL CALL FOR APPLICATION

I. Entry requirements:

Education requirements:

Education requirements:

* Education level: Degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Bioinformatics, Computer/Data Science, Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Medicine or related

Master's in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Computational Biology, Data Science, AI or related.

Research Field: Biostatistics / Bioinformatics / Biomedical Data Science / Computational Neuroscience / Multimodal Analysis

II. Evaluation of merits:

Professional Experience: (0–50)*

- Experience in biostatistics/bioinformatics with biomedical, omics/microbiota data, including preprocessing, quality control (QC), and multimodal integration:

- Experience in AI/ML: supervised and unsupervised models, feature selection/dimensionality reduction, validation and interpretability; experience with Python/R and ML/DL frameworks, Linux, Git/Docker, and SQL:

- Experience in the design and implementation of digital agents:

Additional Training to Be Assessed: (0–10)*

- Additional training in AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning and/or Data Science applied to biomedical/omics data; bioinformatics/biostatistics; Python/R:

Other Merits to Be Assessed: (0–10)*

- Scientific publications and participation in projects on topics related to the subject matter of the contract:

Competencies and Skills (to Be Assessed During the Interview): (0–30)*

- Technical suitability in statistical/bioinformatics/AI strategies for the use and analysis of multimodal data:

- Use of digital agents for solving biological problems:

- Adequate level of English (equivalent to B2):

- Organization/autonomy, teamwork, and multidisciplinary work:

The selection of candidates will be carried out in accordance with the principles of equality, merit, capacity and publicity, as well as objectivity, independence and professional rigor, respecting the confidentiality of the participants' personal data, by means of a merit-based competition.

Once the deadline for the submission of applications has expired, and once the fulfilment of the requirements listed in the second base has been verified, the Selection Committee will proceed to assess the merits included in the curricula vitae related to the post and to select the candidates who best meet the established requirements,  and will then open a second selection phase consisting of a personal interview.

The personal interview will consist of a face-to-face or videoconference interview which will focus solely on the merits put forward by the candidates in the competition phase and will be aimed at assessing the candidate's suitability for the post. The interview will last a maximum of 45 minutes.

Scale - selection criteria:

The evaluation process will be carried out according to the following criteria:

I. Professional experience to be assessed: 0-50*.

II. Additional training to be assessed: 0-10*

III. Other merits to be valued: 0-10*

IV. Interview: 0-30*

Type of contract:  employment contract for scientific-technical activities (art. 23 bis  Spanish Science Law) in accordance with current legislation, with a probationary period established by law.

Dedication: full time (37,5 hours per week), flexible split day, from Monday to Friday.

Gross Annual Salary: Competitive remuneration based on the candidate’s merits and qualifications.

Duration:Indefinite, Open-ended, until the completion of the project(s).

Incorporation: immediately.

Headquarter of the IMDEA Food Insitute, Madrid (SPAIN)