VAC 35 2025 - BIOINFORMATICS TECHNICIAN (Cancer Epigenetics group)

The Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC) is a comprehensive cancer research center dedicated to conduct research and drive innovation in the epidemiological, preventive, clinical, translational, and basic aspects of leukaemia and other hematologic malignancies, with the final aim of finding a cure for these diseases. It was created in 2010, and since then has experienced an exponential growth.

The IJC is also part of the network of Excellence Research Centers of Catalonia (CERCA) and was accredited as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities in 2024. Since 2018, the Institute has also been accredited by the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (FCAECC) Additionally, IJC is one of the centers integrated into the Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP) accreditation as Accredited Health Research Institute (IIS) by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII).

The IJC's main headquarters is located within the Can Ruti Biomedical Campus, alongside other leading biomedical institutions, providing direct access to cutting-edge scientific and technological facilities, as well as complementary community services. The IJC has six locations integrated into reference hospitals: Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Hospital Clínic, Hospital Sant Pau, Hospital Josep Trueta, Hospital del Mar and Hospital San Joan de Déu. This facilitates close collaboration between basic and clinical researchers, fostering translational research that integrates basic science with clinical practice in clinical settings.

We are looking for a BIOINFORMATICS TECHNICIAN to join the Cancer Epigenetics group, led by Dr. Manel Esteller. The Cancer Epigenetics Group is focused on the epigenomic, transcriptomic and epitranscriptomic characterization of normal and malignant cells, the study of tumor heterogeneity at single-cell resolution by using cutting-edge technologies including spatial transcriptomics, as well as testing and validation of new epigenetic drugs for cancer therapy in cancer cell lines and mouse models. The team has a well-recognized experience translating the knowledge generated in the laboratory to the clinical settings. Their efforts are focused in bench-to-bedside initiatives to improve clinical management of cancer patients.

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

The Cancer epigenetics group, led by Dr. Manel Esteller, is looking for a lab technician with strong medical or biomedical background to work on the analysis of transcriptomic data in the context of clinical collaborations. The successful candidate will assist on the analysis of spatial transcriptomic data to create a high-resolution integrative atlas of the tumor microenvironment at the single cell level in samples from children and adult patients with liver cancer. This approach will be key to understand the tumor-host interactions and to identify biomarkers of response to immune therapies in adults with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and chemoresistance in children with hepatoblastoma (HB).

The contract will be covered by Fundació Privada Cellex.

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES

• Develop new approaches for the analysis and integration of single cell and spatial transcriptomic data from adult and pediatric liver cancer patients.
• Collaborate in the preparation and presentation of results to varied audiences, including computational biologists, computer scientists and clinical researchers.

WHAT WE NEED

• Biomedical degree with a strong biological background.
• Proven experience on bioinformatics and computational biology, particularly in integration of omics and single cell or spatial transcriptomics data.
• Experience working within a medical/clinical environment.
• Programming skills on R and Python languages.
• Administration level in Linux/Unix systems.
• Experience with HPC environments (SLURM).
• Experience with machine learning is highly desirable.
• Good communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Ability to work both independently and within a team.

WHAT WE OFFER

• 1 year contract with the possibility of being extended.
• Full time contract- 39h/week
• A salary that with commensurate your qualifications.
• An exciting and innovative research project.

• Working in the mixed basic and clinical research environment of the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute.
• Incorporation in a multinational and highly collaborative team.
• The stimulating environment of the Barcelona metropolitan area.

DEADLINE

Please submit your application by May 26, 2025.

WHO WE ARE?

The mission of the Josep Carreras Institute is to conduct research and drive innovation in the epidemiological, preventive, clinical, translational, and basic aspects of leukaemia and other hematologic malignancies, with the final aim of finding a cure for these diseases.
The IJC’s vision is to be a world-class reference and excellent research multicampus that contributes to the improvement of results, and the cure of patients affected by leukemia and other malignant hemopathies, through innovation, sustainability, social responsibility, talent, and professional experience.

In 2019, IJC was honored with the “Human Resources Excellence in Research Award” by the European Commission, recognizing the alignment of our human resources policies with the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) guides research centers of excellence in implementing and upholding these standards within their policies, emphasizing training, professional development, and mobility opportunities.
The IJC’s commitment to these values and principles strengthens our internal policies and ensures that our members have the optimal conditions and environment for their professional development.
The Board of Trustees is composed of representatives of the Generalitat de Catalunya (regional government), University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, the City of Badalona and the Jose Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation
The Catalan government provides hard money on an annual basis. The Jose Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation provides start-up funds, project funds as well as financial support for investments.
The JCI has an international scientific advisory board served by prominent researchers from US and Europe.
The IJC has been awarded ERC and other EU grants.

The IJC is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.