IRB Barcelona is seeking a talented and highly motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join the Structural Bioinformatics and Network Biology group (https://sbnb.irbbarcelona.org), led by Dr. Patrick Aloy, to work on Systems Medicine approaches in the context of the CLARITY European collaborative project.Viral infections, together with human genetics, constitute major risk factors for developing complex diseases. However, the molecular and physiological mechanisms of how these viral infections cause and contribute to non-communicable disease development are unknown thus hampering prevention and therapeutic approaches. CLARITY will take advantage of cutting-edge experimental technologies and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven analytics to elucidate the molecular and physiological mechanisms of how RSV infection (infectious disease) contributes to asthma (non-communicable disease) development.In particular, we will use modern AI techniques to integrate the generated RSV data with the bulk of current biomedical knowledge and derive RSV perturbation signatures. We will then compare these signatures to those of non-communicable human diseases, and implement a strategy to discover causal relationships between them. Finally, we will identify and validate drug-like molecules with the potential to revert the RSV perturbation induced changes in vitro, and provide initial lead compounds for further development.DUTIES:The successful candidate will work in a very collaborative environment, where he/she will be responsible for the development of the molecular and cell biology assays to detect the drug-induced reversion of the RSV perturbations. In particular, he/she will work with the Boes group (UMC Utrech) to devise an experimental strategy to assess the impact of the designed chemical compounds in transcription, cytokine secretion, apoptosis/pyroptosis, autophagy and cell proliferation in A549 and HEp-2 lung epithelial cells. Moreover, he/she will be also responsible for the scaling up of the reporter assays to be run in our drug screen robotics facility.EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS:Must Have – Required:Education: Bachelor in Biosciences. PhD in Pharmacology, Molecular or Cell biology.Experience: previous experience in working with complex diseases, including molecular and cellular models. Strong publications record according to his/her career stage.Skills:Experience with standard biochemistry, molecular and cell biology techniques.Experience in target validation and drug screening.Knowledge of omics technologies and high-throughput approaches.Positive organizational, problem solving and communication skills.Desirable:Experience: Previous experience working on the in vitro assessment of drug actions.WORKING CONDITIONS & ENTITLEMENTS:- Working conditions: Employed in compliance with Spanish legislation and regulations under a full-time contract. Employees receive the benefits of the Spanish Social Security system covering sickness, maternity/paternity leaves and injuries at work.- Training and Career: Postdoctoral researchers joining IRB Barcelona gain access to the Institute's advanced research training and career development opportunities, all within in a competitive international environment. Courses and workshops on themes of particular interest to postdocs are offered regularly by the Institute.- Estimated annual gross salary: Salary commensurate with experience and qualifications.- International environment: Nearly 90 Postdoctoral researchers (more than a half non-Spanish nationals) are currently working at IRB Barcelona.
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