Ref. 2026_117

Call for applications for one R2A – Junior Postdoctoral Researcher within the Molecular Neurodegeneration Research Group. Application deadline: 18 August 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

About the Unit / Group

The Molecular Neurodegeneration Research Group focuses on identifying new biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve the diagnosis and management of patients with neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders characterised by synaptopathy.

To this end, the Group uses mass spectrometry, immunoassays, biochemical fractionation and in vitro assays based on cell cultures.

The Group receives competitive national and international funding, as well as knowledge-transfer grants. Its biomarkers are protected by a licensed patent.

Main research lines

Development and validation of fluid biomarkers of synaptic degeneration in neurodegenerative diseases and psychiatric disorders characterised by synaptic degeneration and dysfunction.
Application of omics approaches to understand the molecular basis of synaptic degeneration in Alzheimer’s disease.
Development of biological pathway-based polygenic risk scores to clarify the genetic factors underlying Alzheimer’s disease.
Use of cell-based in vitro assays to assess the function of the identified genetic factors.

Essential requirements

Minimum qualification required: PhD obtained within the last five years.
Oral and written knowledge of both official languages of Catalonia. Candidates who do not have the required level must demonstrate or undertake to acquire an adequate command of both official languages of Catalonia within a maximum period of one year.
Advanced level of English.
Advanced knowledge of office software tools —Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc.—.

The following will be valued

Experience in the biochemical fractionation of synaptosomes from post-mortem tissue.
Experience with SDS-PAGE and Western blot techniques.
Experience in RNA sequencing and bioinformatic analysis.
Experience with mouse models of neurodegeneration.
Good written and spoken English.
Experience in project management.

Duties

The successful candidate will perform, among others, the following duties:

Isolation of synaptosomes from post-mortem tissue and validation using SDS-PAGE and Western blot techniques.
Bioinformatic analysis of RNA sequencing data.
Guidance and support for work involving mouse and cellular models of neurodegeneration.
Management of the collaboration between the participating sites.
Organisation of weekly online meetings, including the preparation of agendas and minutes.
Management of the project email account.
Support in the preparation of technical reports for the European Commission.

We offer

Permanent contract linked to the project “Mental disorders, synapses and neurodegenerative diseases: towards more effective diagnosis and management of psychiatric symptoms” —SINAPSIA—.
Annual working time of 1,627.50 hours —37.5 hours per week—.
Salary in accordance with the applicable collective agreement.
Appointment within the Molecular Neurodegeneration Research Group.

Documentation and application deadline

Interested candidates should preferably submit the documentation in PDF format by email to the Management of the Fundació Institut de Recerca de l’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau at seleccio@recercasantpau.cat, indicating reference 2026/117:

Application letter.
Updated Curriculum Vitae.
Duly signed data processing authorisation form —document attached at the end of the call—.

The duly signed data processing authorisation form must be attached.

The application deadline is 18 August 2026 at 3:00 p.m..

Apply to this offer

CV * Accepted File Extensions: PDF, DOC, DOCX, ODT, TXT (max 10 MB)

Cover letter * Accepted File Extensions: PDF, DOC, DOCX, ODT, TXT (max 10 MB)

Authorisation of personal data processing

AUTHORISATION FOR THE PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA

Dear candidate,

The Sant Pau Research Foundation (Fundació Institut de Recerca de l’Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau), with tax ID G-60136934 and registered office at C/Sant Quintí, 77-79, 08024 Barcelona, as data controller, informs you that it will process your data for the following purposes:

Receipt of applications.
Analysis of applications with the aim of recruiting the candidate to the team of the Sant Pau Research Foundation, for a current vacancy and for future selection processes matching your profile.
Conducting personnel selection processes, as well as formalising the hiring of the candidate, where applicable.
Complying with the required legal obligations.

The legal basis for the processing of the data is the legitimate interest in managing this job offer, in accordance with Article 6.1 b) of the General Data Protection Regulation, given that your data are necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party or for the application, at the data subject’s request, of pre-contractual measures.

Likewise, we inform you that your data (i) will only be processed by those departments or areas of the Institute that, according to their competences and functions, have an interest in personnel selection; (ii) may be disclosed to public authorities and bodies for the fulfilment of a legal obligation, as well as to service providers and third parties necessary for the management and execution of the relationships arising from the application; and (iii) will be retained for the periods foreseen for the prescription of legal liabilities.

Finally, we inform you that you have the right to access your personal data, to rectify them, to request their deletion, to object to their processing and to withdraw your consent to such processing. In certain circumstances you may request the limitation of the processing of your personal data, in which case we will only keep them for the exercise or defence of claims. In addition, you have the right to lodge a complaint with the relevant data protection authority. If you have any question about the processing of your data you can contact the entity’s Data Protection Officer by sending an email to dpo@santpau.cat.

Text Verification

2026/117: 1 R2A – Postdoc Júnior