The Vall d´Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) Seeks a “Postdoctoral Researcher”

Reference: 2024-070-01

Application deadline: Until filled

Number of vacancies: 1

Job description:

The TETRIS project (Risk assessment tools for severe side Effects after Breast Radiotherapy: radiation safety through biological extended models and Digital Twins) is a cutting-edge European research initiative funded under the HORIZON-EURATOM-2023-NRT-01-10 program. The project aims to develop and test quantitative, personalized risk scores for radiotherapy-induced side effects. These scores are based on dose-response relationships published in the literature and further refined by integrating patient-specific data, including imaging, genetics, and transcriptomics.

TETRIS also seeks to explore the potential of using digital twins (DTs) in radiotherapy safety. By leveraging data from historical patient cohorts, the project will create prototype DTs and evaluate the benefits of this approach compared to traditional model-based risk scores. A prospective collection of detailed patient data will enable the refinement of DTs, offering both a deeper understanding of individual patients and broader insights into follow-up care. The refined DTs could drive future investments in data collection and computational infrastructure for radioprotection.

Joining TETRIS provides an exciting opportunity to be part of a dynamic and interdisciplinary team with a strong track record of collaboration. It offers involvement in translational and clinical research projects at the forefront of Radiogenomics and personalized medicine.

For more information about the team and their research, please visit: https://vhio.net/pf/hereditary-cancer-genetics-group/”

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop polygenic risk scores using both genotyping arrays and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data.
• Analyse massively sequencing data to identify and assess clonal haematopoiesis.
• Collaborate closely with clinical and computational teams to generate the clinical and genomic datasets required for the project.
• Oversee and monitor the proper collection of patient samples and ensure accurate completion of project questionnaires.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences and contribute to impactful scientific publications.

Requirements:
Essential Qualifications:

• PhD in genetics, bioinformatics, or a related discipline.
• Proven experience analysing genomic data, particularly from whole-genome sequencing and targeted sequencing.
• Familiarity with genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses.
• Ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary team environment.
• Strong level of organization and a proactive character.
• Proficiency in English (both written and spoken).

Valuable Qualifications:

• Experience in managing European research projects.
• Hands-on experience with genetics laboratory workflows and clinical data management.
• Fluency in Spanish and Catalan.

Additional information:
What we offer:

• 📈The opportunity to develop your professional career in a competitive environment.
• 🧠To be part of a center that is in constant development, seeking excellence in research and collaborating with leading teams.
• 🫱🏻‍🫲🏾We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment, and welcome all people equally, regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation.
• ✨VHIO has been awarded the HR Excellence in Research Badge (link a la sección) that identifies the institutions and organisations as providers and supporters of a stimulating and favourable working environment for Research.
• 🪴We care about our environment and understand the importance of sustainability. We have the GreenVhio program, which you can be a part of.

Working conditions:

• 📝Contract with a minimum duration of 3 years.
• 🍉Fresh fruit every tuesday.
• 💶Salary according to qualifications and experience following VHIO pay scales.
• 💳Flexible remuneration program (includes restaurant vouchers/cards, transport, medical insurance, and “baby daycare” voucher).
• ⏰Flexible working hours and measures to balance work, family, and personal life, and promote gender equality, as established in the VHIO collective agreement.
• 🗺️23 days of holidays and 5 personal days.
• 🎓Fully subsidized Catalan, Spanish, or English courses.

Vall d’Hebron Institute Oncology (VHIO) endorses the Requirements and Principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers promoted by the European Commission and follows Equal Opportunities policies.

On 10th April 2018 VHIO was awarded the “HR Excellence in Research” logo. Our Institute was consequently granted permission to use the HR Excellence in Research Award logo as demonstration of its stimulating and favourable work environment in line with the Charter & Code.