2 Junior Group Leader Positions

AI and Data Science for Bioengineering Translational Pediatric Bioengineering

 

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is seeking outstanding and highly motivated candidates with an excellent scientific track record for two new Junior Group Leader positions. The two positions will be evaluated separately and have specific requirements and appointment conditions.

Applicants are expected to develop an ambitious research programme for their future group and to contribute to IBEC’s strategy based on excellent science, internationalisation, translation, and talent development.

Candidates may apply to one position only. Applicants must select the relevant reference in the online application system. Applications submitted to both positions will not be accepted.

 

Positions available  

 

Junior Group Leader in AI and Data Science for Bioengineering  (UB)

Specific focus / expertise:

 

Artificial intelligence and data science applied to bioengineering, including (but not limited to):

• Machine learning and deep learning for complex biological and engineered systems
• Data-driven modeling and simulation in bioengineering
• Digital twins and predictive modeling for biological systems
• Signal and image processing for bioengineering applications and health-related contexts AI in engineering and health-related contexts

This is a tenure-eligible position towards a permanent professor position at the University of Barcelona (UB). It will include a part-time teaching appointment at the UB School of Medicine. Therefore, teaching interest and expertise related to the research topics is also expected.

 

Junior Group Leader in Translational Pediatric Bioengineering (HSJD)

Specific focus / expertise:

Translational bioengineering applied to pediatric health, including (but not limited to):

• Tissue engineering and regenerative medicine for pediatric applications
• Pediatric medical devices and biosensors, and monitoring systems Microfluidics, organ-on-chip, and in vitro models for childhood diseases
• Advanced biomaterials for clinical applications
• Biological modeling and experimental systems for pediatric pathologies
• Engineering solutions addressing unmet clinical needs in pediatric populations

Reference: JRGL_Bioeng Pediatric

 

Candidate profile Candidates must demonstrate:

• 5 years since PhD defense.
• Extensive expertise in the specific scientific area of the position to which they apply.
• An outstanding scientific output with international recognition within the field.
• Leadership in competitive research funding, including a proven record of securing and coordinating competitive grants as Principal Investigator.
• Substantial international research experience, including more than 3 years of professional activity outside Spain, such as extended research stays abroad.

Desirable competencies and skills:

• Leadership and people management;
• Critical judgement in identifying and executing research activities
• Strategic vision for the future of the research field
• Income and funding generation; knowledge generation and transfer
• Collaboration; inclusion; excellent communication and networking skills.

 

What we offer  

 

• The successful candidates will be appointed for an initial 4-year period. At the end of the fourth year, each Junior Group Leader will be evaluated by the Scientific Advisory Board. A positive evaluation will allow the appointment to be extended.
• A start-up package and suitable laboratory space.
• Access to IBEC’s state-of-the-art core facilities and to outstanding predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers.
• Support from a dedicated research project manager and IBEC’s researcher-oriented administrative teams.
• Active support to participate in competitive calls and establish an independent research line.
• Measures to reconcile work and family life and to support work-life balance, including flexible working hours, 23 working days of paid holidays, 9 leave days for personal matters, parental leave, flexible remuneration and other benefits.
• An onboarding programme to facilitate incorporation at IBEC, including support for visa and work-permit procedures and relocation to Barcelona for international candidates. IBEC’s yearly training catalogue offers a wide range of technical and transferable skills training, including inclusive leadership training, mentoring programmes and coaching.
• Access to IBEC’s international network of world-class research centres, universities, hospitals and industry partners.

 

Selection process  

 

Candidates may apply to one position only. Each position will be assessed by its corresponding evaluation panel. Applications will be evaluated according to the specific requirements of the selected position.

 

• Stage I – Remote evaluation of applications Applications will be evaluated remotely by interdisciplinary panels composed of experienced internal and external experts. Following Consensus Meeting I, shortlisted candidates will be invited to a remote interview.
• Stage II – Remote interviews Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed remotely. Following Consensus Meeting II, selected candidates will be invited to Barcelona in October 2026 for the final interview stage.
• Stage III – Final interview in Barcelona Final candidates will be interviewed by a Selection Committee composed of members of IBEC’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). Candidates will present their research achievements, scientific quality, proposed scientific approach, expected impact, future research plans, and their ability to provide effective leadership and management. A site visit to IBEC facilities will take place during the interview day.

 

Key dates  

 

Call opens  6 July 2026

• Application deadline 31 August 2026
• Remote evaluation of applications 1-21 September 2026
• Consensus Meeting I 22 September 2026
• Remote interviews with shortlisted candidates 28 September-1 October 2026
• Consensus Meeting II 1 October 2026
• Invitation to final shortlisted candidates 2 October 2026
• Final interviews in Barcelona with SAB  19-21 October 2026
• Expected start date  As of 1 January 2027

 

  How to apply  

Applications must be submitted online no later than 31 August 2026 through the IBEC careers portal. Only applications submitted before the deadline will be evaluated.

If you have never registered in IBEC’s Jobs application platform before, please do so through this link: https://careers.ibecbarcelona.eu/

If you are already registered, you can access the application directly through the specific link for each of the two positions:

AI and Data Science for Bioengineering: IBEC – Careers JRGL_Bioeng AI Data

Translational Pediatric Bioengineering:  IBEC – Careers JRGL_Bioeng Pediatric

Required information to be included in the online application tool:

CV and main achievements. Research proposal for the initial 4-year appointment period, using the standard template available in the online application tool. Self-assessment of leadership potential, institutional fitting and added value to IBEC. Motivational letter. Contact details of three referees. For the UB position, teaching expertise and interests will also be required and evaluated. Applicants must indicate one reference only: JRGL_Bioeng AI Data or JRGL_Bioeng Pediatric

For questions regarding the application process, please contact: gl.application@ibecbarcelona.eu

After receiving the results, candidates will be allowed to inquire a request for redress by sending a written request to gl.application@ibecbarcelona.eu. The evaluation panel will study each case. The redress procedure will look at procedural shortcomings and into possible errors, not against evaluation panel decisions’ ratings and comments.

 

Principles of the selection process  

IBEC is committed to the European Commission’s Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and to Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) principles. https://ibecbarcelona.eu/careers-at-ibec/jobs/

IBEC’s commitment to equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion: Our strength and excellence as an international transdisciplinary research institute are based on diversity. As an equal opportunity employer, IBEC is committed to diversity and inclusion and supports employees irrespective of gender, nationality, religion, disability, age, sexual identity, or cultural and socioeconomic background.

Candidates are invited to visit our dedicated webpage on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

For candidates with children coming from outside Barcelona, IBEC offers babysitting services during the interview day, so that candidates can focus on the interview. Please contact us if you are interested in this service.

In categories where women are underrepresented, such as Group Leader positions, women candidates must represent at least 50% of those interviewed, provided they have CVs comparable to those of male candidates. At the end of the evaluation process, in cases of equal merit, preference will be given to women candidates.

As a signatory of the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), IBEC will place particular emphasis on the scientific content of research outputs, especially for early-stage investigators, rather than on publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the work was published.

 

 

Protection of personal data  

 

IBEC guarantees that candidates’ personal data will be processed in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Organic Law 3/2018 on Personal Data Protection and guarantee of digital rights. Personal data will be processed solely for the purposes of the selection process.

 

  Who we are  

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) is an interdisciplinary research centre focused on bioengineering and nanomedicine, based in Barcelona. IBEC is one of the leading research institutions recognised as a Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, in recognition of excellence at the highest international level in research, training, human resources, outreach and technology transfer.

IBEC’s mission is to develop high-quality international interdisciplinary research that generates knowledge while contributing to better quality of life, improved health and wealth creation. Close links with key universities, reference hospitals and companies are essential assets for achieving this mission.

IBEC was established in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the University of Barcelona (UB) and the Technical University of Catalonia (UPC). IBEC is located at the Barcelona Science Park and the UPC Besòs Campus. It has an annual budget of 21 million euros, 4,400 square meters of facilities, 25 research groups, and a team of researchers and support staff of 480 people from 40 different countries.

www.ibecbarcelona.eu