Technician Grup III - GLIOLIGHT

Organisation/Company Universitat de Barcelona Department OPIR Research Field Biological sciences Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Undergraduate Positions Final date to receive applications 6 Feb 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Offer Starting Date 16 Feb 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - EIC Reference Number  Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

We are offering a Technician contract until December 2026 to work in a multidisciplinary research project that combines photonics, neuroscience, molecular biology, in vitro and in vivo calcium imaging and MRI. The hosting group is led by Dr. Mercè Masana, an Associate Professor, head of the research group “Modulation of neuronal circuitry in brain disorders” (Biomedical Sciences Department, Institute of Neuroscience, University of Barcelona, Spain).

The contracted person will be involved in testing how photodynamic therapy and direct light treatment is effective in the treatment of glioma with minimal effects in healthy neural cells and unravel the underlying mechanisms involved using healthy and animal models of glioma.

GlioLighT aims to explore novel light-based therapies for glioma. The technician will support researchers in comparing the effects of Continuous Wave Direct Light Therapy (CW-DLT) and 5-ALA Photodynamic Therapy (5-ALA-PDT) on neural network integrity and safety.

Key Responsibilities:

Assist in titration of CW-DLT and 5-ALA-PDT doses (time, frequency, intensity) on neuron-astrocyte mouse primary co-cultures and glioma cell lines. Assess singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation, cell death, and biochemical analyses. Apply CW-DLT to neuronal cultures and evaluate network integrity using high-throughput calcium imaging. Support in vivo studies applying CW-DLT and USP-DLT in glioma-bearing mice, monitoring tumor size, edema, and brain maps via multimodal MRI and MRS, as well as survival and histology.
Ensure safety by monitoring neuronal activity in healthy mice.

The candidate will also support the preparation of project reports and presentations, and will also support administrative tasks related to the project.

Gross salary per year: €29.828,10

Final date to receive applications: from January 26th to February 6th, 2026

We are looking for a highly motivated technician with experience in Neuroscience, Biomedicine or related subjects and with high interest and experience using mouse models, primary neuronal/glioma cell lines cultures, biochemical analysis including immunohistochemistry and western blot and MRI.

The candidate should have: (i) experience using in vitro cell cultures and calcium imaging; (ii) experience in conducting experimental research in rodents, involving mouse behaviour, tissue extraction, MRI; (iii) Experience in stereotaxic surgery in adult mice; (iv) experience in histology and molecular biology, including immunofluorescence, western blot, etc (v) be eager to perform calcium recordings with fiber photometry in vivo and MRI (vi) be eager to collaborate with photonics and bioengineering international researchers.

(vii) Communication skills, ability to work in a team and good level of English is also required. Part of the work will involve support in administrative tasks related to the project, including reports.
Studies:
Ph.D., M.Sc., and

B.Sc. will be valued

Specific Requirements

• Relevant laboratory experience in biomedical lab
• Tracking and ordering lab supplies & lab management
• Experimentation involving biochemical and functional assays on biological samples (e.g. cell culture assays, microscopy, histology)
• Proficient with processing tissue samples, including sample preparation, use of cryostat or vibratome, and immunofluorescence staining.
• Experience in mouse behavioural tests and analysis.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Interest in working within an International and collaborative network

Languages SPANISH Level Good

Languages CATALAN Level Good

Research Field Biological sciences

Other Years of Research…