Laboratory Technician for ICARIA project

The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in five programs: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases and Maternal Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

ISGlobal is seeking a full-time LAB TECHNICIAN who is interested in taking over and managing activities of the PregMRS substudy.

The PregMRS sub-study, conducted within the framework of the ICARIA project in Sierra Leone, is an observational, cross-sectional, health facility-based study. Its primary goal is to determine the prevalence and factors influencing the carriage of macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus among pregnant women in their third trimester, postpartum women, and their newborns. Coordinated by ISGlobal, this research aims to understand the burden of antimicrobial resistance in maternal and infant populations to inform future preventive strategies, such as maternal/infant pneumococcal immunization. Additionally, the study provides a comprehensive description of the vaginal microbiome (VMB) in pregnant women and explores its association with sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV status, and preterm birth.

Maternal colonization is a significant risk factor for the vertical transmission of pathogens to neonates, which can lead to severe infections like sepsis and meningitis. To assess these risks, nasopharyngeal, vaginal, and nipple swabs are collected from participants in the Tonkolili and Bombali districts, stored in STGG transport medium at -80ºC, and shipped to the ISGlobal Antimicrobial Resistance laboratory in Barcelona. Bacterial isolates are cultured using selective media and identified via MALDI-TOF MS. Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (AST) is performed using the E-test method to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for azithromycin following EUCAST clinical standards. Advanced molecular characterization includes multiplex PCR for resistance genes and Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) or Pulse-field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE) to determine epidemiological relationships within mother-newborn pairs.

The activities in which the LAB TECHNICIAN will be involved related to the Project will be:

• Carry out the molecular epidemiology studies by PFGE of the S. aureus isolates found in the samples to determine epidemiological relationships within mother-newborn pairs.

The tasks will be developed in the Microbiology Department at Hospital Clínic de Barcelona and at the research laboratory of Dr. Jordi Vila’s group at Centre Esther Koplowitz (CEK).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The key responsibility of the candidate will be to analyze and characterize epidemiologically the bacterial S. aureus isolates within the PregMRS sub-study project.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• The duties will consist of carrying out the molecular epidemiological analysis of the S. aureus found in the nasopharyngeal samples.

AUXILIAR TASKS

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder.

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional assessment process.

SKILLS

• Teamwork.
• Problem resolution.
• Learning capacity.
• Previous experience in molecular microbiology.

The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety . The post holder will respect, and be accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• Previous laboratory experience in the microbiology field.
• Experience in antimicrobial resistance and bacterial molecular epidemiology will be highly appreciated.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Candidate with initiative, hard worker and with good teamwork skills.

LANGUAGE LEVEL

• Proficiency in English and Spanish.

CONDITIONS

• Contract: full time
• Salary: 30.656€ gross annual
• Work-Life Balance: 36 days off per year (23 vacation days + 13 personal days)
• Start date: November 2026

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed any technical test could be passed. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.