IMDEA Materials Institute is a public research organization founded in 2007 by Madrid’s regional government to carry out research of excellence in Material Science and Engineering by attracting talent from all over the world to work in an international and multidisciplinary environment. IMDEA Materials has grown rapidly since its foundation and currently includes more than 120 researchers from 22 nationalities and has become one of the leading research centers in materials in Europe which has received the María de Maeztu seal of excellence from the Spanish government. The research activities have been focused on the areas of materials for transport, energy, and health care and the Institute has state-of-the-art facilities for processing, characterization and simulation of advanced materials.

More information can be found at our webpage.

IMDEA Materials Institute is seeking a laboratory technician to support the activities of a biomaterials and cell culture laboratory, in particular, to be co-responsible for establishing the proper layout and maintenance of the laboratory (management of purchases and maintenance of the stocks of the consumables), for tasks related to health and safety, in particular biosafety, such as updating standard operating procedures and key work practices and training others in these protocols, for maintenance of the equipment such as microscopes (optical, confocal, and fluorescent) and instruments for molecular studies (e.g., PCR and Western blot) and training of new users, and the maintenance of mammalian cell lines and routine cell culture experiments. The technician will support other researchers in evaluating new materials using mammalian cell culture by assessing viability, proliferation, and morphology with cells relevant to different biomedical applications. He/she will also be involved in preparing and characterizing biomaterials used in the experiments (materials preparation, sterilization, and characterization of material properties). The successful candidate will receive high-quality training upon their incorporation and be supervised by the principal investigator responsible for the laboratory.

Training:

• Titulación: Lab Technician in Biology, biotechnology, microbiology, chemistry or biochemistry, biomedical engineering, or related fields in life science technician (required) (Técnico o Técnico Superior, en el marco de la formación profesional del sistema educativo español)
• General mammalian cell culture practices (medium preparation and cell passaging; biocompatibility, proliferation, and functional experiments) (required)
• Knowledge of molecular testing (DNA extraction, electrophoresis, PCR, western blot) and acquisition of images by confocal or fluorescent microscopy (desired)
• Specific training in laboratory management and/or quality control systems (desired)

Experience (desired):

• Employment experience, beyond practical training, in a similar laboratory environment will be highly valued.
• Previous experience in laboratory management (purchasing, inventory management, training of users, health and safety compliance).
• Previous experience in managing equipment (purchasing, calibration and maintenance, training users, being an advanced user).
• Previous experience with cell culture (preference for mammalian cell culture experience and experience with proliferation, viability, and morphology assays).
• Previous experience with biomaterials preparation and characterization (preparation of different materials, sterilization, processing of materials, materials characterization).
• Previous experience with experiments to study gene expression by PCR, detection and quantification of protein by western blot, and acquisition of images by advanced microscopy

Languages (required):

• English B2 (oral and written).

Competencies (desired):

• Strong communication skills.
• Strong problem-solving skills and flexibility.
• Proactivity and initiative.
• Capacity for self-management and time management.
• Good at working on teams.

Additional information:

• Contract co-financed by the Community of Madrid and the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+), 2021-2027 (contrato cofinanciado por la Comunidad de Madrid y el Fondo Social Europeo Plus (FSE+), 2021-2027).
• Candidates should meet the following criteria:
  - Be under 30 years on the date of contracting with the beneficiary entity.
  - Be unemployed on the date of contracting with the beneficiary entity.
  - Have the required qualifications.

• Full-time contract. Salary based on experience and skills.
• Excellent working environment.