Postdoc Researcher

Publication date:

13 May 2026

Application Deadline:

13 Jun 2026

Staff Type:

Research Staff

Research Type:

Postdoctoral researcher

Research Program: Metabolism Research Group:

Job description

ABOUT CRAG:

CRAG is an independent research institution engaged in leading-edge basic and applied plant and farm animal sciences. CRAG is established as a Consortium of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), and University of Barcelona (UB). The Center is located at the UAB Campus, and currently hosts 200 members from across the world.

Research Programs at CRAG (from basic science to applied research using plant experimental model systems, crops and farm animals) make extensive use of genomic technologies and large sets of genetic and genomic data (https://www.cragenomica.es/sites/default/files/2022-07/crag-summary-2020-2021_0.pdf ). 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Center for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) is looking for a Postdoc Researcher to join the Synthetic Biology and Photosynthesis group led by Ivan Reyna-Llorens.

The candidate will be in charge of:

• Designing and executing molecular and synthetic biology strategies to identify and functionally characterize genes involved in plant regeneration, including cloning, construct assembly and gene expression analysis.
• Developing and implementing transformation pipelines (e.g. Agrobacterium-mediated assays) and synthetic biology platforms to test candidate regulators of regeneration in Portulaca and model species.
• Contributing to transcriptomic and phenotypic analysis of regenerating tissues, including sample preparation, data interpretation and integration with developmental datasets.

The tasks are included within the framework of the project Consolidación Investigadora 2025-HYDRA (Harnessing Synthetic Biology for Developmental Regeneration and Adaptation).

REQUIREMENTS:

Educational requirements:

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Plant Biology, Biotechnology, Synthetic Biology or a related discipline.
• Strong background in molecular and/or synthetic biology.
• Demonstrated scientific productivity (peer-reviewed publications).

Skills:

• Strong hands-on experience in molecular cloning techniques (e.g. Golden Gate, type IIS cloning, Gibson assembly or similar).
• Ability to design and troubleshoot experiments independently.
• High level of curiosity, creativity and motivation to explore new biological systems.

Experience:

• Proven experience in molecular biology, genetic engineering or synthetic biology workflows.
• Experience working with plant systems or transformation methods is highly desirable.
• Knowledge in developmental biology, regeneration processes or gene regulatory networks will be considered a strong advantage.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Contract Duration:24 months

Hours/week:37.5 h (full time)

 

SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS:

Please submit all the application through CRAG mail: Mostrar correo electrónico

CRAG is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission. All candidates will be considered qualified for the job without restrictions of gender, race, nationality or disability.

Integration policy: reserve the place in a first turn for disabled staff.

Interested candidates must submit the following documents:

-       Curriculum vitae

-       PhD Certificate or official notification of the award

-       A motivation letter, including a brief summary of work experience and a statement of research interests and career goals (2 pages maximum), including the name of two references

Deadline: 13 June

Start date: 1 July.