Research Technician - 3DVasCMD

About the team/job

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the highest ranked scientific research organizations in the world. The newest EMBL site is located in the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), one of the largest infrastructures in Southern Europe dedicated to translational research. The main focus of EMBL Barcelona is tissue biology and disease modelling.

We are looking for a Research Technician who will specialize in iPSC differentiation. This position will be shared across two labs at EMBL Barcelona – Haase and Dayton labs. The posting is for 2.5 years but may be renewable.

The Haase lab develops 3D in vitro vascular models using tissue-engineering approaches. As part of an ERC grant (3DVasCMD – 101040977) we are developing novel cardiac models to investigate coronary microvascular disease. Specifically, patient-specific iPSCs (diabetic and healthy) will be used to develop these vascular models.

The Dayton lab develops patient-derived 3D in vitro organoid models of healthy and diseased human airways. We leverage these models to recapitulate developmental and diseased phenotypes of a specialized, hormone-producing cell type in the lung, the neuroendocrine cell. We aim to leverage these models to recapitulate and dissect mechanisms of human disease including cancer initiation, progression, and drug response.

Your role

In the Haase lab, the successful candidate will optimize iPSC differentiation protocols towards cardiac lineages – primarily endothelial cells, cardiac fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. All work will involve human iPSC lines from a cohort of healthy and diabetic patients, established at EMBL Barcelona. The candidate will work closely with the lab´s team to learn current vascular protocols, collaborate with our in-house iPSC-specialist and core Tissue Engineering facility at the CRG.

In the Dayton lab, the successful candidate will provide technical support in the generation and propagation of new organoid lines derived from patient tumor tissue and from healthy lung tissue. The candidate will work closely with the group leader and the lab’s technician to learn relevant procedures and protocols. The role will also involve annotation of the generated lines and liaising with the lab’s research technician and lab manager to curate the lab’s organoid database.

We are looking for a motivated, organized and reliable individual to join our team and bridge our two labs. Although the tasks outlined may appear unique to each lab, we hope the successful candidate will be flexible and enthusiastic, and contribute in ways that may evolve over time.

You have

• A Masters or PhD in biology or related fields
• Experience working with iPSCs and/or embryonic stem cells

• Strong practical skills in primary cell culture and molecular biology techniques
• Independent and motivated work habits
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (Spanish or Catalan is a plus, but not necessary).
• Ability to manage inter-department collaborations
• Excellent organization and time management skills are a must

You might also have

Worked with organoids or other 3D in vitro systems

Experience in tissue engineering and/or microfabrication

Experience in advanced image analysis or computational skills

Why join us

EMBL offers a highly collaborative and uniquely international working environment. We foster top quality, interdisciplinary research and expect that this individual will bridge research groups across EMBL Barcelona and our collaborators at VHIR and in the US. EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organization with a very collegial and family friendly working environment. EMBL is committed to internationality, diversity and equality, and as such encourages applications from underrepresented groups.

What else you need to know

We are Europe’s flagship research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organization performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1700 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome. The working language of the institute is English. Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts may be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

Please include a cover letter, your CV, and the names and contact details of 2 references in your online application.

Further information about research at EMBL Barcelona can be found at www.embl.es .

Please apply online through: www.embl.org/jobs