At EMBL Barcelona we study how tissues and organs develop and function in health and disease.Postdoctoral FellowshipsBarcelona, SpainThe 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 the EMBL Barcelona site is in tissue biology and disease modelling.The Postdoctoral Fellow position will support the project "A novel Maternal-Fetal-Interface on-Chip for Human Investigation of Placental exposures and infections (MFI-CHIP)" with the contract as part of the grant PID2023-152966NB-I00, funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the ESF+.The Haase lab's main interest is in developing tissue-specific 3D in vitro vascular models that recapitulate developmental and diseased vascular phenotypes. Our unique tissue-engineering approaches allow us to generate human microvessels with in vivo-like characteristics. As part of the MFI-CHIP grant we aim to further develop a novel 3D vascularized maternal-fetal interface to represent late-stage of the placental barrier. Specifically, we aim to investigate the impact of sex differences, hormones, and exposures on transport across this critical placental barrier.Your roleWe are looking for an extremely motivated candidate who will take on this cutting-edge project, which has translational potential. The successful candidate will learn, from a current senior team member, how to setup the 3D culture of an in vitro maternal-fetal interface on-chip. The candidate will become adept at employing the model and all associated assays and analysis techniques. As part of a collaboration with local clinical researchers, the candidate will isolate primary-derived trophoblast cells from explanted placenta for incorporation and optimization on-chip. Once optimized, the model will be used to explore a range of questions related to sex differences, exposures, and infection. For the latter part of the project, a collaborative aim is to explore malaria infection in the placenta model, in partnership with the Bernabeu group at EMBL Barcelona.Minimum RequirementsA PhD in biology, bioengineering or related fields, preferably with experience in 3D cell cultureExtensive experience working with primary-derived human cellsStrong practical skills in cell culture and molecular biology techniquesAdvanced microscopy and quantitative imaging skillsExperience with bulk RNAseq analysisIndependent and motivated work habitsExcellent verbal and written communication skills in EnglishExcellent organization and time management skills are a mustStrong interest in the maternal-fetal interface and its dysfunction in humansYou might also haveKnowledge of vascular and/or placental biologyWorked with cell isolation techniques from explant tissue (placenta)Hands-on experience with microfluidics and microfabrication techniques (3D printing, working with PDMS devices)Experience in advanced image analysis or computational skills (ImageJ, Python)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 local clinical collaborators. 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 knowWe are Europe's research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1900 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome.**Don't meet every single requirement? We are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply nevertheless.This Postdoctoral fellowship contract is part of the grant PID2023-152966NB-I00, funded by MCIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 and by the ESF+.Join a community of world-class researchers and skilled professionals working together to uncover the secrets of life. We offer attractive conditions and benefits to attract and retain the brightest talent.
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