Bioinformatician at Cellular & Systems Neurobiology group

The Institute

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).

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The role

We are looking for a Bioinformatician at the Cellular and Systems Neurobiology lab to work on the project titled “Understanding interneuronopathy in Down syndrome to identify interneuron targeted therapy (INTO-DS) (Agencia Estatal de Investigación (PID2022-141900OB-I00) and led by Dr Mara Dierssen and led by Dr Mara Dierssen.

The position requires a candidate with previous experience in Bioinformatics. The candidate will process and analyse multi-omics datasets (eg. snRNA-Seq, snATAC-Seq, spatial transcriptomics). The candidate will design and apply integrative data analysis (computational/statistical/causal) and visualization techniques for multi-omic data to address research hypotheses. The candidate will apply machine learning models to clinical and omics data for classification tasks. We are looking for highly motivated and organized candidates with good communication skills, capable of working in a group but also with a high degree of work autonomy.

About the lab

The Dierssen lab is centred on understanding cognition and behaviour and their perturbation in intellectual disability. We are an interdisciplinary team of physicists, bioinformaticians and experimental biologists, and we focus on data collection (behaviour, 3D imaging, genomic data) of many variables of the system (longitudinal behavioural analysis, population-based analysis in neuronal networks, gene expression patterns). We take advantage of computer modelling and bioinformatics analysis (gene networks, neuronal network modelling, etc.) to tackling classical unresolved questions in the field.

Whom would we like to hire?

Professional experience

Must Have

• You have at least 2 years of experience as bioinformatician in an area involving Neuroscience
• You have proven experience in big data analysis (RNASeq, snRNA-Seq, snATAC-Seq, spatial transcriptomics)
• You have excellent understanding of transcriptomic and epigenomics workflows, data structure and potential data analysis approaches to efficiently integrate and/or develop analysis and visualization protocols
• You have experience in analyzing, integrating and harmonizing multi-omics datasets e.g., using network-based, graph modelling, dimensionality reduction or machine learning approaches
• You can process and derive novel insights from integrative analysis of multi-omic datasets

Desirable but not required/ Nice to have

• Previous experience in neuropsychiatric research will be an added value

Education and training

• You hold a PhD in Neuroscience, Bioinformatics, Genomics, Data Science, or related fields.

Languages

• Good spoken and written English

Technical skills

• You have proficiency in R or Python for data analysis and programming
• Solid knowledge of UNIX-like operating systems and shell scripting
• You have knowledge in advanced statistics and machine learning

Competences

• Highly developed organizational skills
• A highly motivated and organized candidate, capable of working in a group, and with a high degree of work autonomy
• Good communication skills

The Offer – Working Conditions

• Contract duration: Technical and scientific activities contract linked to the project duration (estimated until 28/02/2027).
• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales.
• Target start date: September 15, 2026.

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section.

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.