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  

The CRG is recruiting a computational biologist with advanced experience in single-cell data analysis. The position will entail processing of novel and existing single-cell transcriptomic datasets from diverse species across the tree of life, combining comparative genomics, functional gene annotation, and cross-species comparisons to biologically interpret diverse datasets that will be hosted in the BCA database. The candidate will be a part of a highly interdisciplinary team that includes computational, evolutionary and molecular biologists in different groups at CRG (including the Bioinformatics Unit), and this project will be developed jointly with EBI and the Wellcome Sanger Institute. 

About the team

Cells are the fundamental units of life – underlying cooperative functions in multicellular organisms and complex temporal life cycles in microbial eukaryotes. In recent years, the rapid advance in single-cell genomics technologies, combined with the growing availability of whole-genome sequences, opened up the opportunity to systematically map cell types in diverse organisms. 

The goal of the Biodiversity Cell Atlas is to articulate a community effort to build whole-organism cell atlases across the diversity of life, working in a phylogenetically informed way, supported by high-quality genomes, and using shared standards that make comparisons across diversity possible. This coordinated effort should boost our understanding the evolution and diversity of life at cellular resolution: from gene regulatory programs, through cell type molecular profiles, to biological interactions between species.  

At CRG, and together with EBI, we are developing the computational infrastructure to host a multi-species database for the Biodiversity Cell Atlas initiative. This will enable the interactive exploration of cell type molecular maps, gene co-expression profiles across evolution, comparison of cell types across species, and more. 

For further information, you can directly email arnau.sebe@crg.eu

Whom would we like to hire?  

Professional experience  

Must Have

Advanced experience in single-cell data analysis and interpretation 

Proficiency in Python, R, and Linux 

Desirable but not required 

Experience developing bioinformatics pipelines (Nextflow/nf-core) 

Experience in relational databases (e.g. SQL) 

Experience in comparative genomics

Experience working with functional genomics data in non-model species 

Education and training

A master's degree or PhD in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or related disciplines 

Languages

You are fluent in English  

Technical skills

Hands-on single-cell data processing and downstream analysis (clustering, visualization, annotation, etc.)

Capacity to integrate diverse genomics sources (gene annotations, phylogenetic analyses, protein structures, etc.) to support the biological interpretation of single-cell data 

Competences  

Highly developed organization and coordination skills

Dedication, motivation, and rigor in scientific pursuits

Capacity to work both independently and as part of a team 

The Offer – Working Conditions 

Contract duration: Technical and scientific activities contract linke to the project (estimated duration 15/10/2026 with possibility of renewal) 

Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales. 

Target start date: March/April 2025 

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:

A motivation letter addressed to Dr Sebe-Pedros 

A complete CV including contact details. 

Contact details of two referees.

 

All applications must be addressed to Dr Sebe-Pedros and be submitted online through the "Apply" button below.

 

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 March 13, 2025