ALBA is the Spanish synchrotron light source, a large research infrastructure operating ten beamlines, complementary facilities, and an Electron Microscopy Center, this last in partnership with other institutions. Currently constructing multiple more beamlines, expanding the Electron Microscopy Center, and integrating advanced data analytics, it sums up a wide range of infrastructures geared toward finding solutions to societal challenges.

Located in Cerdanyola del Vallès (Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain), it is funded by the Spanish Government (Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación) and the Catalan Government (Generalitat de Catalunya, Departament de Recerca i Universitats). The synchrotron light produced by 3 GeV electrons is used by thousands of researchers to analyse and understand the properties and functionality of matter, spanning a wide variety of fields, such as catalytic research, health, energy production/storage, environmental research, communication technologies, or cultural heritage.

Our highly motivated staff works in a multidisciplinary work environment with an atmosphere formed by lived diversity, inclusion and respect for our colleagues. One of the goals of our gender equality plan is to reach parity within the Consortium’s different divisions and offices, and several actions have been taken to encourage applications from women mostly in scientific, engineer and technical job positions.

Located close to Barcelona in a natural park and well connected by car and public transportation, with excellent connectivity to the world and an employer who understands the importance of life-work balance.

Facing an upgrade to ALBA II, a 4th generation facility, which will increase dramatically brightness and coherent flux, ALBA is in a phase of growth and dynamics. Being a part of the ALBA team will promote your career and will give you the opportunities to explore new territories.

For more information, you can take a look on our history watching this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHMqiH4qBAo

ALBA synchrotron has been awarded with a MINECO research grant, cofinanced by FEDER, entitled “Structural mechanism of Regulation of Transcription and Exchange of Genetic Material in Gram positive Bacteria and Land Plants” and reference PID2024-161202NB-I00. This research grant proposes to study transcription regulation in plants and conjugation in bacteria. A relevant portion of the abstract is given below for information:

“Our lab studies structural mechanisms of regulation of gene transcription and DNA exchange in different organisms. These processes are tightly linked to developmental processes and to response to environmental triggers. When gene regulation goes wrong, many problems can occur, causing cell death, or uncontrolled growth of cellular tissues. Our objective is to gain knowledge about aspects of natural processes of DNA transcription and exchange that play a central role in biology and that are crucial to human wellbeing and sustainability. One such process is conjugation, which is the main horizontal gene transfer route responsible for spreading antibiotic resistance (AR) genes. The design of strategies to impede conjugation-mediated spread of AR genes requires a better understanding of different aspects of the conjugation process may. So far, little is known about conjugation occurring in Gram-positive bacteria. Moreover, conjugation is a natural method to genetically modify bacteria and hence it can be exploited to modify industrial and clinical important bacteria that are reluctant to modification by other methods. We also study plant development in the context of Auxin Response Factor (ARF)-mediated auxin response. A key, yet largely unanswered question in the understanding of auxin signaling and its role in growth and development is what structural mechanisms underlie the generation of distinct, specific responses. Secondly, it is not well understood what evolutionary trajectories have led to the structural diversity of ARFs and their diverse response to auxin.”

The tasks that the successful candidate will perform are:

• Engage in the on-going research program, national and European projects and collaborations.

• The overexpression of proteins and interaction partners relevant to the project in expression hosts such as E.coli and the baculovirus/insect system

• The study of the interactions at the molecular level in vitro and the determination the structures of the partners and their complexes using various techniques such as Size Exclusion Chromatography, Surface Plasmon Resonance, Mass Spectrometry, Structural Biology methods etc.

• Structural characterization of the complexes of different regulatory proteins with different DNA sequences, where relevant, using Small Angle X-ray Scattering, X-ray Microscopy, X-ray crystallography and electron mircoscopy

• Characterization of transcription regulation in plants tissues and conjugation efficiency in bacteria

The requirements for participation must be met on the date of the deadline for the submission of applications and will be accredited by means of the CV attached to it, without prejudice to the power of the selection body to require the contribution of the originals of the certifications accrediting the qualifications, training and work experience invoked in the CV.

Applications that do not present the aforementioned or required documentation during the selection procedure will not be accepted.

The successful candidate must hold a PhD in Biology or Biochemistry.

Everyone who meets the requirements will be admitted for the selective process. This position is reserved for those candidates having the legal status of person with disabilities, with a degree of disability equal or greater than 33%. In case of one or more admitted applicants with this status of disability, these candidates will be evaluated at first. In the event that no candidate with the status of disability is finally selected for the position, the selection process shall continue and the rest of the applicants will be evaluated.

The selection will be carried out through the competition-opposition system.

As a first phase, an analysis of the curriculum will be carried out (assessment of previous experience and / or scientific history, degree, training and other professional information relevant to the position). Career breaks or variations in the chronological order of CVs will be regarded as an evolution of a career, and consequently, as a contribution to the professional development.

The assessment of the CV in the competition phase will be scored up to 40 points, which will consider the following aspects:

• Experience on wet lab work molecular biology (15 points)

• Experience on structural biology (10 points)

• Experience in Biophysical analysis (5 points)

• Significant scientific publication record (10 points).

  
  

The best rated candidates, at least two if possible, will be invited to an interview where the technical competence, knowledge, skills and professional experience linked to the position will be assessed, with a total score of 60 points. A minimum of 30 points must be obtained out of a total of 60 points to be eligible.

Provided they meet the minimum requirements and have ranked among the top five after the assessment of the CV phase, at least one person from the underrepresented gender in the division/office will be interviewed.

The interview will include at least:

• Knowledge in molecular biology methods and protein production (15 points)

• Sound practice of commonly used macromolecular crystallography, bioinformatics and computational biology techniques (10 points)

• Hands-on experience with cryo-electron microscopy data (5 points)

• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team (10 points)

• Good organizational and planning skills (10 points)

• Self-motivation (5 points)

• Minimum level of English equivalent to CEFR standard C1 (5 points)

  
  

The merits will be accredited by means of the CV attached to the application. The selection board may require accreditation by additional documentation, originals or certified copies confirming the experience invoked in the CV.

In case of a tied final score, the position will be awarded to the person who belongs to the most underrepresented gender in the corresponding Division and subsidiarily to the overall company.

If necessary, alternates of the members of the selection board will be appointed by the president of the selection process, and the change will be published in the announcement.

The resolution of the selection procedure will be carried out within a maximum period of six months from the deadline for submitting applications for participation.

The selection process may be declared vacant if the selection board considers not to have found eligible candidates for the position although they might meet the requirements to participate in the selection process specified in the offer.

Two-year contract for technical-scientific activities linked to the funded project TRANSCRITOR.

The Selection Board is composed by the following members: Isidro Crespo, Barbara Calisto, Roeland Boer.