The contract is part of grant PREP2025-004342, funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the ESF+, where: PREP2025-004342 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 ESF+ is the acronym for the European Social Fund Plus.

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, IMDEA Nutrition is a beneficiary of grant Ref. PID2025-170013OB-I00 under the 2025 advance-processing call for grants for “Knowledge Generation Projects” and actions for the training of predoctoral research staff associated with such projects, within the framework of the State Programme to Promote Scientific and Technical Research and Knowledge Transfer, under the State Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2024–2027, for the implementation of the research project REMEDY-7 — “Deciphering the Role of miR-7 in Metabolic Remodelling and Cellular Dynamics in Brain Pathologies” (Ref. PID2025-170013OB-I00), which includes grant PREP2025-004342 for the training of predoctoral research staff.

The predoctoral researcher’s activities will be carried out within the framework of the REMEDY-7 project (Ref. PID2025-170013OB-I00), with the aim of completing a doctoral thesis.

To carry out research, development, knowledge transfer and innovation activities within the framework of the REMEDY-7 project, which aims to decipher the role of miR-7 in metabolic remodeling and cellular dynamics in brain pathologies.

The successful candidate will participate in the REMEDY-7 project by conducting in vitro and in vivo studies to characterize the molecular mechanisms through which miR-7 modulates cellular metabolism and the dynamics of the tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), as well as to evaluate its therapeutic potential. Responsibilities will include investigating miR-7 expression and function, characterizing metabolic alterations and cellular processes involved in tumor progression, and evaluating its potential as a therapeutic strategy, both as a monotherapy and in combination with conventional anticancer treatments. To this end, the candidate will employ molecular and cellular biology techniques, in vitro and in vivo experimental models, gene expression analyses, functional assays, and bioinformatics and statistical analysis tools to gain further insight into the post-transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying GBM biology and identify novel RNA-based therapeutic opportunities. The successful candidate will participate in the REMEDY-7 project by conducting in vitro and in vivo studies to characterize the molecular mechanisms through which miR-7 modulates cellular metabolism and the dynamics of the tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), as well as to evaluate its therapeutic potential. Responsibilities will include investigating miR-7 expression and function, characterizing metabolic alterations and cellular processes involved in tumor progression, and evaluating its potential as a therapeutic strategy, both as a monotherapy and in combination with conventional anticancer treatments. To this end, the candidate will employ molecular and cellular biology techniques, in vitro and in vivo experimental models, gene expression analyses, functional assays, and bioinformatics and statistical analysis tools to gain further insight into the post-transcriptional and epigenetic regulatory mechanisms underlying GBM biology and identify novel RNA-based therapeutic opportunities.

(Please, see  FULL CALL FOR APPLICATION)

I. Entry requirements:

Education requirements:

* Education Level (Bachelor Degree, Master Degree):

-University Degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Biology or Pharmacy.

-Master's degree (or degree that allows access to doctoral studies) in in Neuroscience, Biomedicine or Health Biology, to be able to join the doctoral program at the time of submission of the application (2024/2025 academic year) or are in a position to do so on the date on which the contract is formalized.

* Research Field: Biomedicine

Professional experience & expertise required:

* Objectifiable (if this section is included, describe how this experience will be verified)

- Experience in the following areas will be considered an asset:

Previous research experience in microRNAs (miRNAs) and other post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms, as well as in fields related to brain tumours, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and/or neuroscience. Practical experience in molecular and cellular biology techniques and experience in handling laboratory animals.

Verification: Through the curriculum vitae and supporting documentation demonstrating research experience, including certificates of internships or research stays, employment contracts, evidence of participation in research projects or other relevant supporting documents.

Other entry requirements:

* Objectifiable (if this section is included, describe how these requirements will be verified).

- Participation in scientific publications and conferences, scientific meetings or specialised workshops related to miRNAs, post-transcriptional regulation, glioblastoma, neuroscience and cellular metabolism will be considered an asset.

Verification: Through the curriculum vitae and relevant supporting documentation, including bibliographic references for scientific publications, certificates of conference attendance and documentation of scientific contributions, including oral presentations and posters or letters from supervisors.

II. Evaluation of merits:

Criterion 1. Academic and/or scientific-technical career of the candidate (up to 50 points).

Subcriterion 1.a): Scientific and technical contributions (up to 45 points).

- The candidate’s academic record and other curricular merits will be assessed, as well as their suitability for the tasks to be performed, taking into account their academic background and professional experience.

-Participation in scientific activities relevant to the field (seminars, symposia, training courses, etc.)

-Authorship of scientific publications indexed in international databases

-Authorship of contributions to scientific conferences

-Participation in research projects

Sub-criterion 1.b): Mobility and internationalization (up to 5 points). The relevance and impact on the candidate's research career of their stays at national and international centers and/or in the industrial sector will be assessed, taking into account the prestige of the host institution and the activity carried out there.

Criterion 2. Suitability of the candidate for the research activities to be carried out (up to 50 points).

Sub-criterion 2.a): The candidate's suitability for the program, project or research activities to be carried out will be assessed on the basis of their previous training and experience. To this end, consideration will be given to the added value that carrying out the project will represent for their research career, as well as the value contributed to the host center and research team (up to 20 points).

-Awards, grants and distinctions; animal experimentation courses; stereotaxic techniques in rodents; languages; and participation in training, supervision or scientific outreach activities. Publications and other scientific and technical activities relevant to the research area (miRNAs, post-transcriptional regulation, glioblastoma, neuroscience and cellular metabolism).

Sub-criterion 2.b): The candidate’s suitability for the activities to be carried out will be assessed through a personal interview (up to 30 points). The following aspects will be evaluated:

- Scientific knowledge relevant to the project

- Ability to organize and plan work

- Oral communication skills and proficiency in English

- Teamwork skills and interpersonal abilities

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:

Criterion 1. Academic and/or scientific-technical track record of the candidate. (0–50*)

Sub-criterion 1.a): Scientific-technical contributions (0–45*).

Sub-criterion 1.b): Mobility and internationalization (0–5*).

Criterion 2. Suitability of the candidate for the research activities to be carried out (0–50*).

Sub-criterion 2.a): Previous training and experience (0–20*).

Sub-criterion 2.b): Personal interview (0–30*).

Contract type: Full-time temporary employment contract for Predoctoral Research Staff in Training (Article 21 of the Spanish Science Act) – Model 404.

Working hours: Full-time position, 37.5 hours per week, with a split working schedule from Monday to Friday.

Duration: Maximum of 4 years or until the defence of the doctoral thesis, plus the POP period. However, when the contract is entered into with a person with a disability, the maximum duration will be 6 years. Any periods during which an equivalent contract has previously been held will be deducted from the maximum duration of 4 (or 6) years.

Gross annual salary: €24,360/year (1st to 3rd year) – €25,920/year (4th year).

Starting date: Immediate (on the 1st day of the corresponding month).

Headquarter of the IMDEA Food Insitute, Madrid (SPAIN)