Academic Coordinator of the Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center

About the employer

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 in healthy and pathological aging. It was created in 2012 by the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, with the support of the Pompeu Fabra University.

The mission of the BBRC is to provide innovative solutions to decipher and prevent biological changes and cognitive dysfunction associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Due to the aging of the world population, these diseases constitute a global challenge, since for example, dementia can reach epidemic levels in 2050, with a forecast of more than 150 million people affected, if is not found a way to prevent its appearance and development.

The BBRC received the HR Excellence in Research award (HRS4R) granted by the European Commission; a recognition that shows its adherence to the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Research Staff. The center offers a stimulating and favorable working environment in accordance with the Charter and Code, which describes the rights and responsibilities of researchers and their employers, and contributes to the creation of a transparent, attractive and open ecosystem at an international level.
Pasqual Maragall Foundation, Pompeu Fabra University and “la Caixa” Foundation are permanent members of the BBRC Board. The center is affiliated with and located in the Ciutadella Campus of the Pompeu Fabra University of Barcelona, in a building inaugurated in 2016. The BBRC headquarters has excellent technical facilities, including a 3TMR scanner dedicated to research, and spaces for conducting Clinical Trials and EEG. State-of-the-art scientific facilities, effective management and continuous high-standard peer-review evaluation are the BBRC core proceedings to ensure achieving world-class research results.

BBRC is also part of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), a large research facility that hosts other seven different research institutions related to biomedical research, including the Center for Genomic Regulation (CRG), the Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), the Department of Experimental and Health Sciences of the Pompeu Fabra University (CEXS-UPF), the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE CSIC-UPF), the Barcelona Institute of Global Health (ISGlobal) and the Barcelona site of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), among others, in a multidisciplinary, collaborative and stimulating international environment in close contact with a clinical setting, thus conducive to translational research.

More information about us: www.fpmaragall.org, www.barcelonabeta.org

About the job

The Barcelonaβeta Research Center (BBRC) is looking for an Academic Coordinator to oversee the day-to-day operations of the Academic and Talent Office (ATO). This role will serve as the central point of contact for BBRC’s PhD students, postdocs, and interns, ensuring a professional, supportive, and academically enriching environment. The Academic Coordinator will manage training logistics, cultivate the research community, and deliver programmes that foster career development and academic excellence.

Main Responsibilities

• Organise and coordinate training activities, workshops, and seminars for PhD students, postdocs, and interns.
• Manage the lifecycle of doctoral candidates, from recruitment to thesis defense.
• Provide academic and administrative support, including inductions, progress
  evaluations, and mentoring frameworks.
• Develop and maintain a portfolio of training on scientific integrity, ethics, open science, leadership, and grant writing.
• Coordinate retreats, student-led initiatives, and community-building events.
•  Act as the liaison between BBRC, partner universities, and internal departments.
• Support alumni relations and strengthen the academic network around BBRC.

Required Qualifications and Professional Skills

• University degree in life sciences, education, or a related field. Postgraduate training in science communication, project management, or education will be a plus.
•  At least 3–5 years in academic of professional experience in administration, program management, or training coordination, ideally in a research environment. Experience with PhD or postdoctoral programs is highly desirable.
• Strong organisational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple activities, deadlines, and stakeholders simultaneously.
•  Familiarity with higher education regulations, doctoral program structures, and researcher training needs. Strong IT and digital tools literacy for program management.

Personal Skills

•  Empathetic, approachable, and able to provide support to researchers at different stages of their careers.
•  Skilled in conflict resolution, mentoring, and fostering a positive community spirit.
• Flexible, proactive, detail-oriented, and highly collaborative; comfortable working in a multicultural and interdisciplinary environment.
•  Fluency in English is required; Catalan and/or Spanish strongly preferred.

We offer

• Starting date: Immediate
• Full-time position.
• Salary will depend on experience and will be in accordance to the BBRC's reward Policy and Development Plan.
• Flexible Compensation plan (meal card, health insurance, kindergarten).
• Holidays: 23 working days proportional to the date of hiring. Furthermore, other extra calendar days such as long weekends and days in March-April and December.
• We offer a very stimulating environment with infrastructure and unique opportunities for professional development.

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. We offer as well, the unique research opportunity in a highly innovative project in a multidisciplinary institution.
At BBRC we also care about developing your professional abilities and career. We evaluate the potential of our team to develop the skills necessary to achieve a high level of professional performance.

Application proces

To apply, please submit a single PDF file containing the following

• Cover Letter: Highlighting your interests, experience, and motivation for joining the Foundation's mission.
• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• References: the names and contact details of up to three references will be requested as the candidacy progresses. 
  All documentation must be submitted confidentially and electronically to talent@barcelonabeta.org (please specify the position you are applying for in the subject line).
   

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