Part- time Administrative Assistant (Ref. LAB/26/09)

Your Role & Our Team

IRB Barcelona is seeking a highly motivated and organised Administrative Assistant for a part-time position to support the Structural Bioinformatics and Network Biology Laboratory, led by Dr. Patrick Aloy. This role is essential to ensure the smooth functioning of the lab, by taking care of administrative and managerial tasks, coordinating purchasing and budgeting, and serving as the main liaison with central administrative departments.

You will work closely with a dynamic and international team of scientists, contributing to cutting-edge biomedical research in drug discovery.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Coordination of daily administrative operations of the laboratory

• Oversight and tracking of project budgets, expense reports, and funding allocation

• Management of purchasing and procurement processes (orders, quotes, invoices)

• Liaising with IRB Administration to ensure compliance and smooth administrative workflows

• Support in grant writing and administration

• Organisation of meetings, events, and travel arrangements for lab members

• Supporting the onboarding of new lab members

YOU HAVE

Experience:

• Experience as administrative assistant, research administration, or in academic or scientific settings

• Familiarity with managing budgets and supporting research project operations

Knowledge:

• Understanding of public funding, grant preparation and reporting processes

Skills:

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills

• High level of written and spoken English

• Ability to multitask, problem-solving, and work independently

Education:

• Relevant training in administration, management, life sciences, or similar

YOU MIGHT ALSO HAVE:

• Bachelor's degree in biomedical sciences or a related scientific discipline

• Experience with European-funded projects (e.g., Horizon Europe)

• Familiarity with Catalan research institutions and administrative processes

WHAT WE OFFER:

To be a part a part of something meaningful: We are a biomedical research centre that tirelessly works to achieve a society free of diseases. Our mission is to carry out research of excellence to cure cancer and other diseases linked to ageing.

Good Working conditions: Part-time contract with flexible hours, either mornings or distributed as full days, depending on mutual agreement. 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 leave and injuries at work.

Competitive salary: commensurate with experience and qualifications.

International Environment: we are home to nearly 500 researchers, technical and support staff from 45 countries.

Multidisciplinary Research: Research of excellence at the unique interface between biology, chemistry, and structural and computational biology.

Continuous Training: Transversal and general training is offered to our community (examples include research seminars, conferences, training in time management, scientific integrity, gender equality, health and safety, languages courses and emotional wellbeing).

Relocation & Visa Assistance: Trained staff provides support on visa paperwork, administrative requirements, and practical information on living and working in Barcelona, etc.

Social Life: We like to have fun. We promote several activities, like a Football League, an annual skiing trip, a Mountaineering Club, a Running Club and "Cool-off sessions", where members meet informally for drinks, snacks and scientific discussions.

Fairness: Our recruitment is open, transparent and merit-based, and all applicants compete on the same terms. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and all qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.

HOW TO APPLY & SELECTION PROCESS:

• Deadline for applications: 17/07/2026 (If no suitable candidate is found, the deadline will be extended) 

• Number of positions available: 1

• Selection process:

  • Pre-selection: Will be based on CV, motivation letter & experience,

  • Interviews: Short-listed candidates will be interviewed.

  • Job offer: Will be sent to the successful candidate after the interview. 

IRB BARCELONA endorses the Requirements and Principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, and Open, Transparent, Merit-based recruitment promoted by the European Commission and follows Equal Opportunities policies.

On 9 December, 2014, IRB Barcelona was awarded the "HR Excellence in Research" logo. This recognition reflects the commitment of the Institute to the continuous improvement of its human resources policies in line with the Charter & Code. The Institute works to ensure fair and transparent recruitment and appraisal procedures.

Please check our Recruitment Policy.

Note: The strengths and weaknesses of the applications will be provided upon request.

ABOUT IRB BARCELONA,

Created in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia) and the University of Barcelona, IRB Barcelona, a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence since the first call in 2011, has received the accreditation four consecutive times.

The institute is devoted to conducting research of excellence in biomedicine and to transferring results to clinical practice, thus improving people’s quality of life, while simultaneously promoting the training of outstanding researchers, technology transfer, and public communication of science. Its 29 laboratories and seven core facilities address basic questions in biology and are oriented towards diseases such as cancer, metastasis, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, and rare conditions.

IRB Barcelona is an international centre that hosts 500 members from 45 nationalities. It is located in the Barcelona Science Park. IRB Barcelona forms part of the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) and the “Xarxa de Centres de Recerca de Catalunya” (CERCA).