Call for Applications: Predoctoral Researcher (FPI Fellowship)

Context

The Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC) is offering a predoctoral fellowship within the framework of the 2024 call for Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento y Actuaciones para la Formación de Personal Investigador Predoctoral. This programme is part of the Spanish National Plan for Scientific, Technical and Innovation Research 2024–2027, funded by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. The fellowship will support a PhD project within the Clinical Research Group and the research project “Sleep blood pressure patterns, glymphatic system failure and olfactory dysfunction in individuals at risk of Alzheimer’s disease” (reference PID2024-163071OB-I00).

The Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC) is a research center dedicated to the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease and the study of cognitive functions affected during healthy and pathological aging. It was created in 2012 by the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, with the support of Pompeu Fabra University.

The mission of the BBRC is to deliver innovative solutions to describe and prevent the biological changes and cognitive dysfunction associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The global aging of the population makes these diseases an urgent challenge; for example, dementia is expected to reach epidemic levels by 2050, with projections estimating more than 150 million affected individuals if no effective prevention strategies are found.

The BBRC has been awarded the HR Excellence in Research (HRS4R) seal by the European Commission, recognising the centre’s commitment to the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The centre offers a stimulating and supportive work environment aligned with these principles and committed to transparency, quality and international competitiveness.

The Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Pompeu Fabra University and the “la Caixa” Foundation are permanent members of the BBRC Board of Trustees. The centre is affiliated with Pompeu Fabra University and located at the Ciutadella Campus in Barcelona, in a research facility inaugurated in 2016. Its infrastructure includes a research-dedicated 3T MRI scanner, clinical trial spaces and EEG facilities. Cutting-edge scientific infrastructure, efficient management, and continuous high-level scientific evaluation are the pillars supporting BBRC’s international research impact.

The BBRC is also part of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), a major research hub hosting seven additional biomedical research institutions, including the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), the UPF Department of Experimental and Health Sciences (CEXS-UPF), the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE CSIC-UPF), the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) and the Barcelona headquarters of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL). This multidisciplinary, collaborative and international environment—closely connected to the clinical sphere—fosters excellence in translational research.

For more information, please visit: www.fpmaragall.org and www.barcelonabeta.org 

About the Position

The Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center (BBRC) is seeking a PhD candidate with a background in neuroscience, neuropsychology or biomedical sciences to carry out a doctoral project in the field of Alzheimer’s disease prevention.

The selected candidate will join a project investigating the associations between neuroimaging markers of glymphatic function (the brain’s clearance system) and circadian blood pressure patterns, olfactory function and cognition, assessed through remote digital tools.

The research will be conducted within the ALFA+ cohort, a deeply characterised group of individuals at increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

The PhD candidate will join the Clinical Research and Risk Factors for Neurodegenerative Diseases Group, led by Dr. Oriol Grau-Rivera, and will be supervised by Drs. Gonzalo Sánchez-Benavides and Oriol Grau-Rivera.

Main Responsibilities

• Support the processing of circadian blood pressure data.
• Conduct statistical analyses of multimodal data, including pre-processed MRI/PET neuroimaging, fluid biomarkers (CSF and plasma), and clinical and cognitive datasets.
• Prepare scientific manuscripts under the supervision of the thesis directors.
• Attend and present results at national and international scientific conferences.
• Develop the doctoral thesis project based on the results obtained.

Required Qualifications
Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in neuroscience, psychology or a related biomedical discipline.
• Master’s degree that qualifies for admission to a PhD programme.
• Experience and/or strong interest in statistical analysis using tools such as R, Stata, Python or similar (strong proficiency in R will be highly valued).
• Previous experience in Alzheimer’s disease or neurodegenerative disorders is not required but will be considered positively.

Personal Skills 

• Strong teamwork and collaborative mindset.
• Proactive attitude and problem-solving orientation.
• Flexibility to work within a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to work independently and communicate effectively.
• Motivation to join a non-profit organisation with a strong social mission.

What We Offer

• Start date: from February 2026 (up to 6 months after the publication of the final award resolution).
• Contract type: Predoctoral Researcher in Training.
• Salary: based on experience and aligned with BBRC's salary policy and Development Plan.
• Flexible compensation plan (meal card, medical insurance, childcare).
• Hybrid work model (on-site + remote work), in accordance with Foundation guidelines.
• Annual leave: 23 working days per year, proportional to start date, plus additional days offered by the centre during bridge holidays and designated periods in March–April and December.
• A highly stimulating research environment with unique infrastructure and professional development opportunities.

How to Apply

Applications will be evaluated according to the criteria established by the FPI programme, which include academic and scientific-technical record (up to 50 points) and the candidate’s suitability for the proposed research activities (up to 50 points).

Applicants must submit a single PDF file including:

• A motivation letter addressed to BBRC describing research interests, relevant experience and motivation to join the project.
• A detailed CV including academic background, scientific/technical contributions (BSc or MSc theses, publications, conference participation, etc.) and any mobility or international experience.
• Academic transcript.
• Name and contact details of up to three referees willing to provide reference letters.

All documents and inquiries must be submitted electronically to: talent@barcelonabeta.org Email subject: Predoctoral Researcher in Training (FPI)

Evaluation Criteria

Criterion 1. Academic and/or scientific-technical record (up to 50 points)

• 1a. Scientific and technical contributions (up to 45 points)

-GPA (Bachelor’s + Master’s): up to 25 points

-Publications or relevant academic work (BSc/MSc thesis) aligned with the project area: up to 10 points

-Other scientific or technical contributions (publications, conference presentations, etc.): up to 10 points

• 1b. Mobility and international experience (up to 5 points)

-Research stays, collaborations or international experience.

Criterion 2. Suitability of the candidate for the research activities (up to 50 points)

-Alignment between the academic profile and the project tasks.

-Motivation, knowledge and competencies to carry out the PhD project.

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