Predoctoral Researcher

» Pharmacy Neurosciences » Other Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions: Master Positions Application Deadline: 12 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country: Spain Type of Contract: Other Type of Contract Extra Information: Contract type: Full-time temporary employment contract for Predoctoral Research Staff in Training (Article 21 of the Spanish Science Act) – Model 404. Job Status: Full-time Hours Per Week: 37,5 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No Offer Description 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. Where to apply Website: https://jobs.food.imdea.org/en/offer/124 Requirements Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent Research Field: Chemistry » Biochemistry Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent Research Field: Technology » Biotechnology Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent Research Field: Pharmacological sciences » Pharmacy Education Level: Bachelor Degree or equivalent Research Field: Biological sciences » Other Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Research Field: Medical sciences » Health sciences Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Research Field: Neurosciences » Other Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Skills/Qualifications II. Evaluation of merits: 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 Additional Information Benefits 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). Eligibility criteria 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*). Selection process 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 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. Additional comments 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. See the full call for applications at IMDEA Food: https://jobs.food.imdea.org/es Website for additional job details: https://jobs.food.imdea.org/en/offer/124 Work Location(s) Number of offers available: 1 Company/Institute: IMDEA NUTRICION Country: Spain State/Province: Madrid City: Madrid Postal Code: E28049 Street: Ctra. de Cantoblanco, 8 Contact City: Madrid Website: http://www.food.imdea.org/ Street: Ctra. De Cantoblanco, 8 Postal Code: 28049 E-Mail: empleo@nutricion.imdea.org