R2B PostDoc Senior

About the Unit / Group

The Research Group in Pharmacogenomics and Neurovascular Genetics, made up of seven members and led by Dr. Israel Fernández, focuses its research on the genetic and epigenetic studies of stroke. It also investigates the gut microbiota to understand the relationship between these microorganisms and the risk of suffering a cerebrovascular accident. The group's objective is to carry out translational research using these genomic tools, bioinformatic analyses, and functional studies both in vitro and in vivo.

The group participates in several international consortia and is a member of the executive and scientific committees of these consortia. At present, it actively collaborates in four of these organizations, which focus their research on the genetics of stroke and/or related diseases (IGSC, MEGASTROKE, CADISP, and ICPC). The research group was the founder and currently coordinates a national consortium, Genestroke, on the same topic, which brings together the work of around 15 hospitals and research centers across the country.

Essential requirements

• Minimum required qualification: PhD (obtained more than 5 years ago)
• Master’s/Postgraduate degree in Palliative Care
• Master’s degree in Counseling and Intervention in Grief, Loss, and Trauma
• Accreditation Diploma in the Functional Area of Palliative Care
• Postdoctoral experience with the ability to participate in and/or lead one or more research projects
• Advanced knowledge of English and computer skills
• Oral and written knowledge of Catalonia’s two official languages or, otherwise, the selected candidate must demonstrate—or commit to acquiring within a maximum period of one year—a correct knowledge of both official languages in Catalonia. Skills will be valued
• Experience providing individual, and also group, psychological support to patients with advanced illnesses, caregivers, and family members.

Functions

Duties related to genetic small vessel brain disease:

• Designing research projects focused on the social domain.
• Psychological support for the patient from the moment of diagnosis (support in delivering the news, acceptance, management of anxiety, depression, fear, or denial).
• Individual emotional therapy with the patient (during stages in which they still retain the ability for introspection and communication).
• Intensive psychological support for family members and primary caregivers (anticipatory grief, guilt, emotional overload, burnout, anger, exhaustion).
• Facilitating therapeutic groups for family members and caregivers (family school, monthly support groups).
• Psychoeducation for the family about the disease, expected progression, and daily communication and management strategies.
• Non-pharmacological interventions to reduce psychological and behavioral symptoms of dementia (anxiety, apathy, irritability, crying, agitation, insomnia, mild delusional ideas…).
• Support during critical moments (hospital admissions, crises, end of life, difficult decisions).
• Helping the family with ethical and emotional decision-making (residential care, support measures, legal guardianship, advance directives…).
• Coordination with the rest of the team (neurologist, social worker, nursing staff, occupational therapist) to ensure comprehensive care.
• Training clinic staff in empathic communication with people living with dementia and emotional management of difficult situations. Offered
• Contract linked to project CPP2023-010519. Project CPP2023-010519 funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by FEDER, EU.
• Annual working time of 1,627.50 hours (37.5 hours/week).
• Salary according to the collective agreement.
• Research Group: Pharmacogenomics and Neurovascular Genetics. and deadline for submission Interested parties should preferably deliver the documentation (1) in PDF, by e-mail to the Management of the Santa Creu i Sant Pau Hospital Research Institute Foundation, address ir_seleccio@santpau.cat , indicating the reference 2026/025 (1) Application letter and updated Curriculum Vitae and signed Data Processing Authorization** At the request of the Santa Creu i Sant Pau Hospital Research Institute Foundation, the candidates must present the documentation accrediting the merits mentioned in the curriculum vitae.