The Institute

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy

The role

We are seeking a Synthetic Biologist or Biochemist to lead the experimental team and establishing the testing and optimization AI enzymes in the lab in a high-throughput fashion. The candidate will be responsible for high-throughput screening and directed evolution approaches to manage and evaluate thousands of protein variants cost-effectively. This role is vital to experimentally validate in a high-performance fashion the predictions done by our AI models and the feedback will be crucial to improve the models over time. The candidate will learn cutting-edge AI techniques as well and will focus on the engineering of biotechnologically relevant enzymes.

About the lab

The candidate will join an interdisciplinary research group at the forefront of AI-driven protein design and engineering. The team is highly collaborative, integrating computational scientists, experimental biologists, and biotechnologists to push the boundaries of synthetic biology and protein engineering.

Whom would we like to hire?

Professional experience

Must Have

• You have 5+ years of experience in synthetic biology, especially testing thousands of protein variants
• Demonstrated experience with pooled, massively parallel screening approaches coupled to next-generation sequencing
• Skills to independently establish assays in yeast as a host system
• You have familiarity with directed evolution techniques and (ultra)-high throughput techniques
• Leadership skills: desire to supervise students, proactivity to bring to the lab state of the art techniques, the wish to be intellectually involved in all lab projects

Desirable but not required/ Nice to have

• Experience with robotic liquid-handling platforms for high-throughput workflows and automation
• Willingness to learn (or constantly hear) about machine learning methods for protein engineering and design

Education and training

• You hold or are about to defend a PhD in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field
• You have previously supervised students

Languages

• You are proficient In English

Technical skills

• You have advanced skills in protein engineering techniques, such as mutagenesis, cell-free systems and/or (ultra-) high-throughput assays
• You can independently develop protocols to screen the activity, selectivity and thermodynamics of enzyme variants.
• Experience automating systems for handling and screening thousands of protein variants.

Competences

• A passion for working in a high-paced, AI-driven research environment and the willingness to adapt and implement cutting-edge technologies
• Highly developed organizational skills to manage high-throughput experimental workflows and data and capable of working at agile paces
• Strong problem-solving abilities, with a proactive and innovative mindset.
• Effective communication skills

The Offer – Working Conditions

• Contract duration: Technical and scientific activities contract linked to the project (estimated duration until 31/12/2029)
• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales.
• Target start date: As soon as possible.

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section.

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.

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.

Application Procedure

All applications must include:

1. A motivation letter addressed to Dr Noelia Ferruz.
2. A complete CV including contact details.
3. Contact details of two referees.

All applications must be addressed to Dr. Noelia Ferruz and be submitted online on the CRG Career site - http://www.crg.eu/en/content/careers/job-opportunities

Selection Process

• Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected on the candidates CVS. It will be merit-based.

• Interview: Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and a selection panel if required.

• Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is identified the People department will send a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary, working conditions, among other important details.

Deadline: Please submit your application by April 2, 2026

 Funded by the European Union GA 101165231