Training Researcher in Cellular Reprogramming for Prevention of Aging and Related Diseases - PhD Scholarship Program Vicente López

17 Jan 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Eurecat – Technology Center of Catalonia

Department

Nutrition and Health

Research Field

Technology » Biotechnology
Chemistry » Biochemistry
Biological sciences » Nutritional sciences

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

29 Mar 2024 - 13:52 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

29 Mar 2024

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Eurecat, the Technological Center of Catalonia, brings together the expertise of more than 650 professionals and serves over 1,700 companies. Applied R&D, with over 200 completed projects, technological services, highly specialized training, technological consulting, 88 patents, 7 spin-offs, and professional events are among the services that Eurecat provides for both large and small to medium-sized enterprises across all sectors. The added value Eurecat brings accelerates innovation, reduces spending on scientific and technological infrastructure, mitigates risks, and provides specialized knowledge tailored to each company.

Eurecat, the technological center, launches various programs aimed at fostering the development of scientific and technological knowledge.

Currently, the 6th edition of the Vicente López program is underway, aimed at promoting doctoral thesis projects in the industrial, digital, and biotechnological areas, with the goal of increasing scientific knowledge in these fields and promoting technological transfer in the industry.

Eurecat Nutrition and Health Unit generates knowledge and provides scientific and technical resources to investigate the health effects of products in use. These capabilities enable the validation of new medical devices, as well as biomaterials, and assess the applicability and functionality of the biosensor in preclinical models (rodents or in vitro) and human volunteers. In vitro studies are conducted on cell cultures, ex vivo systems, and organoids for product screening, biological efficacy assessment, and molecular mechanism description. Additionally, expertise is offered in the formulation and design processes of the biological components underlying a biosensor.

Eurecat Nutrition and Health Unit, in collaboration with the University of Barcelona, offers the opportunity to carry out a doctoral thesis in the field of cellular reprogramming to prevent age-related diseases.

For many years we were very passive towards aging. We thought aging is natural and happens to everyone, so there is nothing to be done. But we can look at aging differently. We can consider it a disease itself, and in turn, all the age-related diseases as the symptoms of aging. When aging is viewed as a pathological process, we can look at the pathophysiological mechanisms to find targetable mechanisms of action that slow the rate of ageing, and its symptoms: diseases. This is extremely valuable, because with the growing elderly population, we need the shift in the focus from disease treatment to disease prevention. We need solutions to ensure healthy aging. 

This thesis wants to generate new biological models and to provide different mixtures of metabolic compounds supporting biological rejuvenation postponing disease manifestation in cognitive decline models. With that we will upscale Nutrition and Health Unit in the unexplored field of the junction between metabolism (affected by microbiome and mitochondria) function and genome. It will generate the tools that allow to validate studies and interventions in the field of aging: cognitive decline screening platform, longevity, and health span screening platform.

The thesis tackles aging and cognitive decline, proposing metabolic compounds for rejuvenation, going deeper in the unexplored nexus of metabolism, microbiome, mitochondria, and genome, offering tools for studying and intervening in aging.

Functions and Responsibilities:

• The PhD candidate will develop and apply cutting-edge molecular biology techniques in advanced in vitro models (organoids), lower organisms (fruit flies), and in vivo models (rodents) to test various anti-aging treatments.
• Participate and lead scientific publications: write scientific papers drafts and deliver the PhD thesis. 

Requirements

Research Field

Technology » Biotechnology

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Research Field

Chemistry » Biochemistry

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Studies and Knowledge:

• Official master's degree in Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or Molecular Biology that enables access to a doctoral program in the field of biomedicine.

Soft Skills:

• Communication
• Adaptability 
• Teamwork 
• Time Management 

Languages: 

• Proficiency in English 
• High level of Catalan and/or Spanish is considered a plus 

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Languages

CATALAN

Level

Good

Languages

SPANISH

Level

Good

Additional Information
Benefits

• Trainee researcher contract
• Full - time contract
• 27 days paid holiday leave
• Eurecat will provide the enrolment and tutoring for the thesis, as well as the cost of the thesis deposit and publication.
• Flexible Schedule
• Shorter workday on Friday and in summer
• Flexible remuneration package
• PhD training

Eligibility criteria

Applications may be submitted by anyone who is qualified and able to begin an official doctoral program in accordance with the regulations in force and who have not previously held a pre-doctoral or trainee researcher contract. Consequently, applicants must possess an official university undergraduate degree and master’s degree (whether issued by a Spanish university or another institution within the European Higher Education Area) that qualifies them to access a doctoral program under the terms of article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/2007 of 29 October. They must also have completed a minimum of 300 ECTS credits as part of their official university studies, of which at least 60 must have been at master’s degree level.

In order to formalize their application, applicants must:

1. Complete the registration forms, making sure they provide all of the information requested

https://eurecat.talentclue.com/en/node/103962889/4590

2. Provide the following documentation:

• A photocopy of their valid NIF, NIE or passport.
• A CV and covering letter explaining their reasons for applying to the program.
• A photocopy of the official academic certificate (or payment receipt for it) that grants them access to the doctoral program.
• The academic transcript of their undergraduate degree studies.
• The academic transcript of their master’s degree studies. Applicants who have not yet completed their master’s degree studies must submit their most recent academic transcript.
• Accreditation of any other relevant achievements.

Website for additional job details

https://eurecat.org/en/talent/phd-scolarship-programme-vicente-lopez/

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

EURECAT REUS

Country

Spain

State/Province

Tarragona

City

REUS

Postal Code

43240

Street

AV DE LA UNIVERSITAT, 1

Where to apply

Website

https://eurecat.org/en/talent/phd-scolarship-programme-vicente-lopez/

Contact

State/Province

TARRAGONA

City

REUS

Website

http://eurecat.org

Street

AV DE LA UNIVERSITAT, 1

Postal Code

43240

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED