Predoctoral contract

Contract for the doctoral thesis project: “Development of a new diagnostic method for SIBO”.

 

Call

We are looking for a student to join our research team (https://rebrand.ly/druanogallego) at the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBM). The call can be found at:

https://www.uam.es/uam/investigacion/ofertas-empleo/contrato-conjuntaoctubre2025nacional-mam

Within annex 1, the position has reference CPP2024-011348 and place code PR03/10/2025.

 

Conditions of the employment contract

Place: Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center (CBM, CSIC-UAM)

·         Modality of Permanent Contract

·         Full-time

·         Gross monthly remuneration: €1,929.00/month including pro-rata extra pay

·         Weekly hours 37.5 hours

·         Contract start date, from: 01/12/2025

·         Estimated contract end date: 31/08/2027 (extendable)

 

How to apply

Applications must be submitted no later than October 30, 2025. All documentation should be provided in electronic format via the Autonomous University of Madrid’s electronic headquarters (https://sede.uam.es/sede/piproyectos).

 

Responsibilities

This position, with the possibility of extension, is designed for the completion of a doctoral thesis within the framework of a public–private collaboration with VenterPharma.

The main goal of the project is to develop a novel, simple, non-invasive, and direct method for the diagnosis of SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth), enabling a more accurate differential diagnosis. Achieving this will contribute to improved therapeutic management of patients and, ultimately, to a better quality of life.

The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying and isolating bacterial strains from duodenal aspirates obtained from patients diagnosed with SIBO. These strains will be assessed for growth on various substrates to determine the most suitable one. Ex vivo assays will be performed, and the resulting data will be analyzed using metagenomic techniques. In addition, the candidate will have the opportunity to contribute to other ongoing research projects in the laboratory related to intestinal pathogens and probiotic biotechnology.

 

Requirements

·         Master’s degree in Microbiology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry or related areas.

The following will be especially valued:

·         Academic record.

·         Experience in growing bacteria, especially under anaerobic conditions.

·         Experience in molecular biology techniques and bacterial genetic engineering, including cloning, mutagenesis and qPCR.

·         Bioinformatics competencies: plasmid design and computational data analysis.

·         Proficiency in English will be considered an additional merit.