ICMAB Open Positions
Open call for JAE Intro #CONEXIONES in the framework of the CSIC Nanomedicine Network
Deadline: Nov 30, 2021
At ICMAB we offer 4 research training plans within the NN and NANOMOL groups. The research training programmes are for students who are currently coursing a Masters (2021-2022). The stay is for a total of 5 months (with the possibility of extend 3 more months) and a total of 3,000 € (600 € per month), starting from January 2022.
Apply soon!
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Open training plans
Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites (NN) Group
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Currently a large variety of nanomaterials and polymers exist potentially useful in medicine, food industry and cosmetics. Although mechanisms to design, produce and characterize those materials are efficient and quick, it takes 11-15 years and € 350-550 million for a product to arrive to the market. Therefore, reliable and fast models to screen potential drugs, food and cosmetic additives to save money and time are in need. For this purpose, we use the 1 mm-long nematode Caenorhabditis elegans as an animal model to test the toxicity of the materials we design. Between 60-80% of the C. elegans genome has human homologous genes and most of the metabolic pathways are also conserved. Transparency, short life cycle and minimal maintenance and growth requirements stand out among all the advantages of using this worm. The use of simple non-mammalian model organisms minimize the cost associated with in vivo experiments in the early stages of discovery and yields highly informative results such as survival rate, growth effects, reproduction toxicity and changes in the metabolism. Moreover, we can study how the materials are transformed by characterizing them after their pass through the organism.
Polymers synthesized by living organisms, biopolymers, are used for drug and food complementation without any evidence of being toxic but its size´s decrease at the nanoscale can affect the toxicity and their properties. Additionally it has been observed that the oral administration of biopolymers produced changes in the motility, absorption and metabolism of the intestine, key for treating gastrointestinal diseases. The project will consist on: A) Production and characterization of polymer or nanomaterials B) Evaluation of them in vivo using C. elegans as an animal model. The survival rate, growth effect and reproduction will be the primary endpoints that will be studied. C) Identification of metabolic changes produced by them. The student will have the opportunity to get experience in an international research environment. We, the group of Nanoparticles and Nanocomposite group at ICMAB, are chemists, physics and biotechnologists from all over the world focused on the rational synthesis of functional nanomaterials. The student will learn about a broad range of techniques of synthesis and characterization techniques. We are looking for a highly motivated student, matured and with interest to work in an interdisciplinary field.
Supervisor: Anna Laromaine (
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{slider title="JAE_Nanomed_14: Bioimplants of nanocellulose for soft tissues reinforcement with antibacterial and imaging moeties" open="false"}
Main objective of this project is the development of microbial cellulose implants with antibacterial properties that could be biointegrable in the body without the occurrence of fibrotic reactions and could be detectable and monitored over time by medical imaging techniques (MRI, CT). The student will learn the process of growing cellulose from a bacterial culture and to pattern different inorganic nanoparticles on the films which later will be imaged by magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography. Antibacterial properties of functionalized films will also be assessed. The NN Group is highly multicultural and multidisciplinary and everyone is welcomed! Plesase check our website nn.icmab.es and twitter NNgroup_ICMAB. Three recent publications related to the offered project. In vivo soft tissue reinforcement with bacterial nanocellulose Biomater. Sci., 2021, 9, 3040-3050, Bio and soft-imprinting lithography on bacterial cellulose films Materials Today Chemistry 2021, 100535, Patterning Bacterial Cellulose Films with Iron Oxide Nanoparticles and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Monitoring ACS Appl. Polym. Mater. 2021, 3, 10, 4959–4965.
Supervirsor: Anna Roig (
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Molecular Nanoscience and Organic Materials (NANOMOL) Group
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Infections in medical devices are a public healthcare threat. Preventing them is a priority for all the health-care systems worldwide. In this investigation we propose a new bimodal strategy to functionalize Thermoplastic PolyUrethane (TPU) to coat catheter surfaces, to prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. This strategy is based on the use of multibiofunctional and switchable hydrogel with antimicrobial functions. It will act in a two-fold manner. First, as a nanostrcutrued 3D matrix to support active antimicrobial proteins based on cationic peptides, known as host defense peptides (HDPs), with activity against most bacteria involved in nosocomial infections, and second, as a protective environment against the degradation of the antimicrobial proteins when the medical device is stored before its use. The latter action will be possible due to the thermosensitive nature of the hydrogel that will only expose the biologically active proteins upon thermal activation when implanted. The candidate will collaborate with a biotechnologist (IRTA) and a clinical group from Hospital Parc Taulí (Dr. Gasch) to develop a final proof-of-concept and evaluate its performance against some of the most relevant microorganisms involved in catheter related infections.
Available infrastructures: NANOMOL has a wide expertise and recognized excellence in the chemistry and processing of functional molecular materials, molecular nanoscience, and biomedicine. The facilities available at the NANOMOL group include full equipment for organic synthesis and characterization techniques (NMR, MS, elemental analysis, IR, HPLC, UV-Vis-NIR); thermal analysis equipment (DSC, TGA/DTA, ITC), microscopy techniques (SEM, TEM, STM, AFM), rehology, porosimetry techniques and a cell culture facility for the in-vitro assays. Direct access to the UAB services. As a member of CIBER-BBN, we have access to the NANBIOSIS platform (ICTS), oriented towards medical applications. NANOMOL, with a TECNIO Centre level, has a recognized trajectory of academic and industrial collaborations.
On-going projects related with the JAE topic: i) NANORESIST. Engineering Novel Nanodelivery Systems against Antimicrobioal Resistance. PI. I. Ratera; 135.240€; EUACCIO TECNIO Spring Industry TECSPR19-1- 0065; 05/2021 to 04/2023; ii) MOL4BIO. Processing molecules to create hybrid materials hierarchically structured for biomedical applications Co-PI: I. Ratera; 266.200€ MICIIN; 6/2020 to 7/2023 and iii) FUNCATH. Prevention of vascular catheter-related infections by the Functionalization of CATHeters with antimicrobial agents of broad spectrum. PI: I. Ratera; 97.929€ La Fundació de TV3 Nr. 201812; 06/2020 to 12/2022.
Supervisors: Jaume Veciana and Imma Ratera (
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{slider title="JAE_Nanomed_19: Desarrollo, caracterización y control de nuevos nano-fármacos" open="false"}
Preparación y caracterización físico-química y biológica de sistemas nanoestructurados (nanovesículas) para encapsular activos terapéuticos (moléculas sintéticas y/o biomoléculas). Contribución al desarrollo y validación de nuevos métodos analíticos para una exhaustiva caracterización físico-química y biológica y para control de calidad de los nuevos nano-fármacos desarrollados. La investigación estará vinculada a los proyectos Proyecto Europeo Phoenix (ref: 953110), Proyecto Plan Nacional Mol4Bio (ref: PID2019-105622RB-I00) y Proyecto Europeo Micro4Nano (ref: 101007804).
Infraestructuras disponibles para realizar la investigación: Para la realización de la investigación se dispone de los “Servicios Científicos y Técnicos” del ICMAB-CSIC que están equipados para la caracterización de nanoformulaciones (RMN, ATR-FTIR, Raman, UV-Vis-NIR, espectrómetro de luminiscencia, HPLC, DLS, ITC y otras técnicas calorimétricas, etc). El grupo Nanomol también dispone de acceso directo a los servicios científico-técnicos de la UAB-CIE (ej: Servicio Microscopía Electrónica). Además, el equipo del ICMAB-CSIC dirige la Unidad 6 “Biomaterials Processing and Nanostructuring Unit” de la ICTS NANBIOSIS, ubicada en el ICMAB, que incluye equipos de alta presión para la preparación de los sistemas nanoestructurados e instrumentos analíticos para su caracterización físicoquímica.
Supervisors: Nora Ventosa (
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How to apply
The training plans are under the Instituto de Química Médica # JAECONEXIONES (IQM) at the JAE Intro ICU website from the CSIC
- Contact e-mail:
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - Deadline for applications: 15 working days from the day after the date of publication of the fact sheet (publication on 8 Nov 2021)
- Number of scholarships: up to 12 (Download Annex)
- Period and duration of each scholarship: From January 1, 2022 to May 31, 2022, 5 months, with the possibility of a 3-month extension.
- Amount of each scholarship, monthly payments and possibility of additional endowment: Total amount of the scholarship will be 3,000 euros, five monthly payments of 600 euros, with no additional endowment.
- Maximum weekly dedication time of the scholarship beneficiaries: 20 hours.
- Specific requirements for applicants:
- Undergraduate or Bachelor's degree branch: have completed undergraduate, engineering or graduate studies in Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Medicine, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biomedicine or Pharmacy and not be in possession or legal disposition to obtain a PhD degree.
- Average grade of the undergraduate academic record: Average grade of the undergraduate, bachelor's or engineering degree, equal or higher than 7.00 on a scale of 0-10.
- Official Master's Degree: Applicants must be pursuing an Official Master's Degree in the 2021-2022 academic year.
- Training plans offered and responsible researchers: Applicants may apply for the training plan(s) in which they are interested from those detailed in the Annex document of the Nanomedicine Connection CSIC (Download Annex)
- Composition of the Selection Committee: 1. President: Mª Jesús Pérez de Vega 2. Vocal: i) Puerto Morales Herrero ii) Isabel Haro Villar iii) Francisco Javier Rojo Marcos 3.
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About NN
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About NANOMOL
At the NANOMOL Research Unit we study, synthesize and process molecular and polymeric materials with biomedical, electronic, magnetic and chemical properties.
NANOMOL is composed by two research groups:
- Molecular Materials for Electronic Devices (e-MolMat): focused on the design and synthesis of organic molecules and materials for their integration in electronic devices such as memories, switches, transistors or sensors. Both fundamental studies and proof-of-concept devices are pursued.
- Nanostructured Molecular Materials for Biomedicines (NANOMOL-BIO): devoted to the synthesis, physico-chemical characterization and development, up to pre-clinical regulatory phases, of molecular and polymeric (nano)materials for biomedical applications: (i) biomolecule and small molecule delivery, (ii) diagnosis, (iii) regenerative medicine and (iv) immunotherapy.
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About ICMAB
The Institute of Materials Science of Barcelona (ICMAB) is an internationally renowned research center in Advanced Functional Materials and Nanomaterials that belongs to the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). The Institute is a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence. Our mission is to generate new knowledge in Materials Science through excellent scientific research useful for the society and for the European industry, economy and employment, consolidating our recognition as international reference center on Smart functional materials through five mission-oriented Research Lines associated to three societal grand challenges (Clean Energy, Smart and Sustainable Electronics and Smart Nanomedicine).
The training of the future generations of researchers represents also an essential part of the overall mission of ICMAB, with ~15 PhD theses defended per year and around 50 undergraduate and master students. We provide trainees with both a solid fundamental background in materials science and a practical mindset to facilitate their adaptation to academic and industrial environments.
If you are looking for an opportunity to develop your research career and skills in a multicultural and friendly environment, ICMAB is the place for you.
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