PhD student: An in-vitro human model to study MOGAD physiopathology

Neuroimmunology group

The Neuroimmunology Group (Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia) at Vall d’Hebron Hospital is seeking a PhD student to apply for the AGAUR program or Ramón Areces. The selected candidate will focus on developing a human in-vitro model to investigate the pathophysiology of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoproiten associated disorder within a leading center dedicated to neuroimmunological disorders.

Education and qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent graduate degree in the field of health sciences (biomedicine, pharmacy, biochemistry, medicine or biology) validated by Spain’s Ministry of Education or adequate authority.
• Fluency in English.

Desired:

• Fluency in Spanish 

Experience and knowledge:

Required:

• A minimum experience on laboratory research as a part of their undergraduate program
• Experience in using the Microsoft Office Suite (with Excel, Word, etc )
• Statistics knowledge and use of statistical software packages
• Strong sense of responsibility, initiative, self-motivation, and team work abilities

Desired:

• Excellent academic records
• Outstanding reference letters
• Scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Conference abstracts in international conferences

Main responsibilities and duties:

• Cellular manipulation in human in-vitro cultures (generation of human oligodendrocytes and neurons, generations of iPSC-derived microglia, etc)
• Human serum antibody purification
• Flow cytometry management
• Immunohistochemistry
• Management of cytokines platforms (ELISA, ELLA system, etc)
• Writing of conference abstracts and scientific papers 
• On-site work (≥80%)
• Absolute respect to supervisors, other colleagues and staff, other fellows and students, and patients.

Labour conditions:

• The successful candidate will apply to:
•  AGAUR (Agencia de gestión de ayudas universitarias de investigación ). Three years grant
• Fundación Ramón Areces. Three years grant

• Contract: A work contract to attain PhD dissertation within the three years will be executed once one of the above grants is awarded

What can we offer?

• Incorporation to Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), a public sector institution that promotes and develops the biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), the biggest hospital of Barcelona and the largest of Catalan Institute of Health (ICS).
• A scientific environment of excellence, highly dynamic, where high-end biomedical projects are continuously developed.
• Continuous learning and a wide range of responsibilities within a stimulating work environment.
• Individual training opportunities.
• Flexible working hours.
• 23 days of holidays + 9 personal days.
• Flexible Remuneration Program (including dining checks, health insurance, transportation and more)
• Corporate Benefits: platform through which you can obtain significant discounts on travel, culture, technology, gastronomy, sports... among many others.
• Healthy Offering: choose from a variety of wellbeing focused activities to be the healthiest you.

Deadline to apply: 01-11-2024

VHIR embraces Equality and Diversity. As reflected in our values we work toward ensuring inclusion and equal opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training, and management for all staff within the organization, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, functional diversity or ethnicity.