Fundación Fraunhofer Spain ResearchThe Fraunhofer Spain Research foundation is looking for a highly motivated POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER to join our team at the Fraunhofer Center for Applied Theragnostics in Catalonia (Fraunhofer CAT). The successful candidate will contribute to the development of next-generation human skin NAMS advancing technologies in microfluidics, cell culture and microphysiological systems readouts, to contribute to the development of therapeutic strategies for precise medicine.
The contract will be within the framework of the Fraunhofer CAT project, whose objective is the development of new diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic tools in the field of precision medicine. For example, the development of new technologies for i) the establishment of biomimetic organ and tissue models for in vitro testing, ii) the development of sensors and electronic devices, iii) the design and validation of therapeutic strategies for personalized medicine, and iv) the production and validation of new biological models. This project is funded by: Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, Generalitat de Catalunya and Ajuntament de Barcelona.
Main duties and responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Fraunhofer CAT direction, the applicant will carry out the following activities:
- Design and optimise microfluidic organ-on-chip and perfusable bioreactor platforms to support the controlled, long-term culture and analysis of skin tissue models.
- Establish and maintain relevant human skin cell populations and integrate them into complex three-dimensional co-culture systems that reproduce key features of skin tissues.
- Select and optimise biomaterials for model fabrication using extrusion-based printing and rhe ological characterisation.
- Apply and optimize advanced microscopy approaches, including live-cell imaging and high content imaging for robust readouts.
- Analyze experimental data and communicate results through scientific reports, publications, and presentations.
- Actively contribute to lab research and collaborations.
- Actively contribute to student supervision.
Requirements for candidates
Essential
- PhD in biomedical sciences, biomedical engineering, bioengineering, biotechnology or similar areas.
- Demonstrated experience in developing advanced human in vitro skin models, including primary human cell culture, multicellular 3D co-cultures and organ-on-chip systems.
- Knowledge of the design and operation of microfluidic devices, perfusion systems and bioreactor platforms.
- Experience with biomaterials, including extrusion-based printing and rheological characterisation.
- Experience in microscopy and quantitative image analysis for the structural and functional characterisation of in vitro models.
- Experience in experimental design, data interpretation and scientific communication.
- Experience working under sterile conditions and knowledge of biosafety procedures.
- Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative projects
- Strong organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to prioritize tasks.
- Excellent communications skills in English.
Advantageous
- Experience with finite-element modelling and computational fluid dynamics for the optimisation of microfluidic and organ-on-chip designs.
- Proficiency in Python programming for scientific data analysis, visualisation and workflow automation.
We Offer
- Number of available positions: 1
- Starting date: as soon as possible
- Working conditions:
- Full time permanent contract. Open-ended contract due to technical and scientific ac tivities linked to the project and budget duration.
- Presential.
- Salary: Attractive salary.
- Measures to reconcile work and family life (maternity and paternity leave, flexible schedule working hours, 23 working days of paid holidays, 6 leave days for personal matters, among others).
- Fraunhofer Spain Research ensures equality of access to professional development opportu nities irrespective of employment status or other factors.
- Stimulating, interdisciplinary research and high-quality international scientific environment.
- Induction programme to facilitate incorporation at Fraunhofer Spain Research and additional support is provided for foreigners to obtain Visa-working permit and to install in Barcelona.
How to apply
Until the 20th of September, by sending a CV and motivation letter to info@fraunhofer.es with the ref erence “PR01-FCAT” as subject of the email.
Only those applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated.
If you have any further questions regarding your application or the application process, please get in touch with us at info@fraunhofer.es