The Diagnostic Nanotools Group (DINA) at Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) is seeking a full-time Laboratory Technician to join an innovative project funded by the “la Caixa” Foundation (CaixaResearch Health 2023).
Our group develops novel diagnostic technologies and advanced detection strategies for biomedical applications, with a strong focus on accessible point-of-care solutions. The selected candidate will support the development of paper-based electrochemical biosensors for malaria diagnosis and will collaborate in translational research activities involving both laboratory and clinical validation
The selected candidate will contribute to the development and validation of innovative malaria diagnostic technologies, including upgraded analytical devices developed in collaboration with the Spanish National Centre of Microelectronics.
The responsibilities may include:
Optimisation of magnetic bead-based bioassays for malaria biomarker detection
Design and fabrication of paper-based devices for sample preparation and assay automation
Integration of synthetic aptamer receptors into diagnostic platforms
Development and optimisation of non-enzymatic nanotags and electrochemical detection strategies
Experimental validation of the technology in laboratory and clinical settings, including international collaboration activities in Angola
Data collection, analysis, and documentation of experimental results
Collaboration with multidisciplinary research and engineering teams
You can find more information in the following links:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.analchem.1c03242-goto=supporting-info
Low-cost technology for malaria quantitative point-of-care diagnosis https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2019.111925
Biosens Bioelectron, 2020, 150:111925, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2022.114513
Biosens Bioelectron, 2024, 246:115875, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bios.2023.115875
Higher Technician qualification (FP2) in Clinical and Biomedical Laboratory or related field
Hands-on laboratory profile with strong technical skills
Organised, proactive, and capable of working autonomously in a multidisciplinary environment
Spanish proficiency.
Availability to travel and complete short research stays in Angola
English and/or Portuguese proficiency
Experience in at least two of the following areas:
Paper-based diagnostic devices or paper microfluidics
Bioassays using magnetic micro/nanobeads
Electrochemical detection techniques
Malaria diagnosis by microscopy and/or PCR
Experience with biosensor development or point-of-care diagnostic technologies
Labour conditions:
Working hours Full-time (37,5hours per week).
Starting date As soon as possible
Gross annual salary €19,054.00-20,000.00 Remuneration will be determined by experience, skills and responsibilities and aligned with the Collective Agreement pay scale.
Contract type Technical and scientific activities contract linked to the project activities
Incorporation into the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), a public sector institution that promotes and develops biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), the largest hospital in Barcelona and the largest within the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS)
A dynamic scientific environment of excellence, where cutting-edge biomedical projects are continuously developed.
Continuous learning and career development pathways
Flexible working hours
23 days of annual leave plus 9 personal days
Flexible remuneration programme, including meal vouchers, health insurance, transport and more.
Corporate benefits platform, offering significant discounts on travel, culture, technology, gastronomy, sports and more.
Healthy offering– “Feel Good, Feel VHIR” VHIR’s wellbeing programme offers a variety of activities to help staff thrive—physically, mentally, and socially. Through four pillars—Feel Well, Feel Connected, Feel Empowered, Feel Welcomed—it fosters health, growth, and community.
International mobility support (Welcome Services) we aim to make your arrival in Barcelona smooth and pleasant by providing city information, guidance on required procedures, access to the International Welcome Desk, family support and assistance with finding accommodation.
Deadline to apply: 03-06-2026
Pre-selection: Candidates are shortlisted based on their skills, qualifications, and relevant experience as outlined in their CVs.
Interviews: Meetings may be held with Talent Acquisition and/or the hiring manager.
Practical assessment: Depending on the role, candidates may complete a case study, technical task, presentation, or written exercise, on-site or remotely.
Checks: Education, references, and other job-related verifications may be carried out.
Job offer: The selected candidate receives a formal job offer upon successful completion of the process.
VHIR embraces Equality and Diversity. As reflected in our values we work toward ensuring inclusion and equal opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training, and management for all staff within the organization, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, functional diversity or ethnicity.
Information on Personal Data Protection:
Data Controller: Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca -VHIR-. Purpose: Personnel selection. Legal Basis: Your consent. Data retention period: One year. If you are selected, as long as the employment relationship is in force and legal responsibilities may arise. Data sharing: Does not occur, except for communications necessary to fulfill the purpose and those required by law to public and private bodies. Rights: You can access, rectify, delete, object to, and limit the processing of data, as well as request data portability where applicable, by contacting lopd@vhir.org DPO: dpd@ticsalutsocial.cat More information: www.vhir.org
Data Protection Authority: APDCAT
We are a public sector institution that promotes and develops the biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, the hospital of Barcelona and the largest of Catalan Institute of Health (ICS). The members of our Board of Trustees are the Catalan Ministry of Health, the Catalan Ministry of Economy and Knowledge (we are a CERCA center), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Bank of blood and tissues, the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), of which we are an accredited research institute, and the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), which together with VHIR is part of Accredited Institute of Campus Vall d’Hebron Institute by the Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII).
Since its creation in 1994, VHIR works to find solutions to the health problems of society, and contribute to spread them around the world. In more than 20 years we have achieved leadership in biomedical research at hospitals in our country, and we want to be recognised in 2020 as an excellent and competitive European Institute leader in clinical and traslational research linked to a university hospital.
In our institute are working more than 1,300 people, of which over 1,200 doing research and others, around 100, help to do it or transfer it to the society once made, whether in the form of projects, technology transfer and innovation, communication or fundraising, among others.
The best of our institution and its research staff is doing research to solve people’s health problems. Our task is not only basic or translational, we are leaders in clinical research. We have the beds of the hospital separated in less than 50 meters of laboratories and our patients will benefit from our research. In this we believe, and our efforts are focused on it. This is understood by industry leaders who are committed to our hospital, making it a world reference for its first clinical trials.
