Postdoctoral Researcher in Engineering of Novel Antimicrobial Phagocytic Vesicles Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia in Spain

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) in Barcelona is recruiting a postdoctoral researcher for the Quasi-Living Materials Research Group under the project PhagoSynCell (ERC Consolidator Grant). The position is titled “Engineering of Novel Antimicrobial Phagocytic Vesicles” and sits at the interface of polymer chemistry, soft matter, membrane mechanics, and antimicrobial materials research.

The project aims to create synthetic cells and vesicles that can capture, engulf, and kill bacteria, with the long-term goal of developing a new class of antimicrobials against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. The successful candidate will work on supramolecular amphiphilic comb polymers (iCPs) and combisomes, with a strong focus on the design and synthesis of novel polymers and on understanding how polymer topology, architecture, and composition control self-assembly, membrane properties, and bacterial engulfment.

Key objectives include improving combisome stability in biological media, maximizing pathogen engulfment, and uncovering molecular design rules that connect structure to function. The role is explicitly research-driven and expects an independent scientist who can formulate hypotheses, design experiments, interpret results critically, and develop new directions within the project.

Main activities include designing and synthesizing libraries of covalent and supramolecular comb polymers using organic synthesis and controlled radical polymerization; combining microscopy, microfluidics, and physicochemical/biophysical methods to study self-assembly and membrane behavior; and establishing structure–function relationships for vesicle stability and engulfment. The postdoctoral researcher will also publish as lead author, present results at international conferences, and contribute to the supervision of junior researchers.

Essential qualifications include a PhD in polymer chemistry, or in organic chemistry with a strong polymer focus, plus a publication track record in polymerization and polymer synthesis. Strong experience with macromolecular characterization techniques such as NMR, FT-IR, UV-Vis, SEC, DSC, TGA, and TEM is required. Candidates should have a strong interest in soft matter and self-assembly, high-level English communication skills, and a mindset oriented toward scientific ownership, proactivity, and critical thinking.

Useful additional experience includes supramolecular self-assembly systems such as vesicles or coacervates, optical microscopy including confocal laser scanning microscopy, cryo-TEM, AFM, and broader exposure to nanoscience, biophysics, scattering methods, microbiology, bottom-up synthetic biology, or membrane systems. Experience with student supervision or grant and fellowship writing, such as MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, is also valued.

The position is a full-time postdoctoral contract (37.5 hours/week) with an open-ended scientific and technical contract linked to the project and budget duration. IBEC highlights a stimulating interdisciplinary environment, equality and diversity commitments, training and mentoring opportunities, flexible working measures, paid leave, and support for relocation and visa/work-permit procedures in Barcelona.

The deadline is 30 October 2026. Applicants must apply through the IBEC careers website and submit an original cover letter tailored to the position, together with the contact details of two supporting references.