Call for 'Expression of Interest' to submit research proposals on Alzheimer’s disease prevention to the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship

Are you a postdoctoral researcher pondering the next step in your scientific journey? The Barcelonabeta Brain Research Center (BBRC) is eager to back excellent researchers who are interested in submitting an application for an EU Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship in the area of Alzheimer’s disease research.

About the employer

The Pasqual Maragall Foundation has established the BBRC, a research center focusing on age-related cognitive impairments. The mission is to develop preventative measures for Alzheimer's disease (AD), advance healthy aging knowledge, and investigate psychological aspects of cognitive functions. BBRC aims to provide effective solutions and a comprehensive understanding of the aging process and neurodegeneration.
The Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Pompeu Fabra University and “la Caixa” are permanent members of the BBRC board, which is affiliated and located in the Ciutadella Campus of the Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona. This building provides excellent technical facilities, such as a 3TMR scanner dedicated to research, Clinical Trials facilities, EEG and a wet laboratory. The BBRC's core proceedings for attaining world-class research results involve state-of-the-art scientific facilities, proficient management, and a consistent high-standard peer-review evaluation.
BBRC is part of the Biomedical Research Research Park (PRBB), a facility that encompasses seven other institutions dedicated to biomedical research, situated near the sea in Barcelona. This puts BBRC in the middle of a biomedical hub in the city.
For more information, please visit: www.fpmaragall.org and www.barcelonabeta.org
The research carried out in the BBRC is mostly based on the data obtained in the Alfa Study, a pioneering research infrastructure made up of nearly 3,000 cognitively unimpaired people, between 45 and 75 years old, most of them being descendants from AD patients. The ALFA study allows researchers to develop biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease and design prevention strategies for dementia.
BBRC has organized its research into highly collaborative research groups, each of which is comprised of clinicians and researchers with specialized knowledge in AD pathophysiology, genetics, data processing and analysis, fluid biomarkers, cognition, neurochemistry, and neuroimaging.
MSCA grantees will be supervised by Dr. Natalia Vilor-Tejedor, leader of the Genetic Neuroepidemiology and Biostatistics team. The main research interests of her team include exploring the interactions between genetic predispositions and environmental factors in the development of neurological disorders and utilizing advanced statistical techniques to accurately genetically characterize endophenotypes of aging and neurodegeneration. This offers potential targeted interventions for promoting healthy aging in populations. The research vision of her team emphasizes inclusivity and diversity, aiming to enhance study validity and relevance by incorporating diverse perspectives.

About the job

If your research interests align with the one above then we want to hear from you!
Researchers with an exceptional scientific background and a concept for a research project in the field of AD or other neurodegenerative diseases are encouraged to get in touch with us. The selected candidates will be provided with special support from the BBRC team to devise and submit a successful application to this highly competitive programme. 

What we offer

• Join a team of highly multidisciplinary staff with knowledge in AD pathophysiology, genetics, data processing and analysis, fluid biomarkers, cognition, neurochemistry, and neuroimaging.
• A professional development and training program designed to enhance scientific and transversal abilities to ready you for a successful scientific career.
• An expansive alliance of scientific and technological partners from around the world.
• State-of-the-art scientific facilities.
• Our professional research support team has extensive expertise in project management, identifying financing opportunities, technology transfer, IT management, dissemination and outreach, HR management, and economic and administrative management.
• Possibility to participate in outreach activities organized throughout the year.
• Hybrid working model (on-site + teleworking).
• The Foundation offers an extended vacation period and the possibility of benefit from flexible working hours. BBRC is committed to ensuring a work-life balance for its employees.
• We offer work in a highly stimulating team, and BBRC offers and promotes a diverse and inclusive environment. In the foundation we also care about developing your professional career so you will participate in an internal and specific training for your job. We evaluate the potential of our team to develop those skills necessary to achieve a high level of professional performance. 

Who can apply?

• These fellowships are open to excellent researchers from any part of the globe who have obtained a doctoral degree and have no more than 8 years of full-time research experience since their PhD completion.
• We are looking for applicants who possess a PhD and have conducted research in the areas detailed above.
• Candidates must not have been residing in Spain for more than 12 of the past 36 months at the date of the call deadline in order to be eligible for the call.
  Position details
• Contract with a competitive living allowance.
• Funded international research stays in academic or in industry sectors. The fellowship includes additional funds for research and training activities.
• The fellowship is for a period of 2 years.
• The feedback from the call is expected in early 2026 and, if successful, the estimated starting date will be May/June of 2026.

Application
Candidates interested in this position should submit their Expression of Interest application to talent@barcelonabeta.org
The application should provide information on the applicant's research background and work experience, including:

1. A complete CV, including personal contact information.
2. A motivation letter, outlining the 5 most relevant research results (1-page).
3. Brief 1-page proposal of your future research project.

Deadline of the pre-selection process

•  Candidatures will be evaluated regularly, upon receive.
• If you wish to have BBRC as your host institution please sent us your proposal by the 15th of June (3 pm, CET).
• Questions or clarifications about this call or the application process can be directed to talent@barcelonabeta.org

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