2026-ICP-026 Manager de Laboratori (Projecte Start Up Funds)

2026-ICP026- Laboratory Manager (Start-Up Funds Project)

Position

· Reference: 2026_ICP026

· Number of positions: 1.

· Title: Lab Manager (Start-Up Funds Project)

· Assigned to: Evolutionary Phenomics Research Group and Hominin Origins Research Group (Research Department).

· Workplace: ICTA-ICP Building, c/ Columnes s/n, UAB Campus, 08193 Cerdanyola del Vallès, Barcelona.

· Description: We are looking for a person to join our center to provide specialized technical support (including 3D morphometrics and visualization, evolutionary modeling, and multivariate statistics) for research on the phenomic evolution of species and human origins. The position involves working synergistically with two research groups (50% of working hours with each group).

· Person responsible: Sergio Almécija ([email protected]).

The Institut Català de Paleontologia Miquel Crusafont (ICP-CERCA)

The ICP is a public research center whose trustees are the Government of Catalonia (Generalitat de Catalunya) and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. It is a publicly funded non-profit foundation established to carry out research in vertebrate and human paleontology at the highest international level, as well as to promote the conservation and dissemination of Catalonia’s paleontological heritage. As an autonomous center of the CERCA system (Research Centers of Catalonia), its main objective is scientific excellence.

The center offers a close-knit and stimulating work environment, with seven research groups and specialized technical support staff, as well as ongoing training and opportunities for professional development. It has an Equality Plan, an LGBTIQA+ Plan, and the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research award, which recognizes its commitment to open, transparent, and merit-based working conditions and recruitment processes.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The ICP’s management is committed to equal opportunities and diversity, and promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment. For this reason, the ICP encourages women and non-binary people, as well as other people with diverse backgrounds or who belong to groups underrepresented in research, to apply. We offer work-life balance measures and have a Non-Discrimination Committee that works actively to maintain a safe, bias-free environment.

Terms of Employment

• Contract type: Open-ended contract for scientific and technical activities

• Duration: 4 years (from January 15, 2027, to January 14, 2031).

• Working hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week.

• Salary: Gross annual salary of €32,409.72, corresponding to professional level SD4.

• Other benefits: Partial remote work up to a maximum of 30% of working hours.

Timeline

• Publication date: November 11, 2026.

• Application deadline: November 18, 2026.

• Resolution date: November 23, 2026.

Main Tasks and Duties

· Actively collaborate with the research staff of the research groups to achieve their specific objectives, including publications, conference contributions, and participation in projects.

· Provide technical advice and implement new protocols and tools for data collection and analysis applied to the advanced study of the phenomic evolution of species, including human origins. Troubleshoot emerging issues.

· Supervise, assist with, and/or lead the digitization of paleontological and biological specimens using various techniques, such as photogrammetry, structured-light scanners, laser scanners, and (micro-)computed tomography scanners, among others.

· Supervise, assist with, and/or lead data processing (particularly computed tomography data segmentation, 3D model generation, and any post-processing required for figures, geometric morphometric analyses, and/or biomechanical simulations).

· Manage and maintain the research groups’ technological equipment and software, and manage and safeguard the datasets and 3D models generated.

· Provide technical mentoring to research staff and volunteers in the research groups.

Requirements

Education: PhD in Biology, Paleobiology, or equivalent (the degree must have been obtained before the application deadline).

· Five or more years of experience in general tasks related to 3D digitization, segmentation, and modeling, morphometrics, and advanced multivariate statistics, preferably in vertebrate paleontology or paleoanthropology. Experience working with extant groups will also be considered an asset.

· International experience working in several academic or applied research groups (5 years or more).

· Proven experience in programming languages and in developing research-specific analytical tools (software, apps, AI implementation, etc.)

· Knowledge of specialized software for the visualization and analysis of digitized specimens.

· Knowledge of digitization equipment and techniques (particularly structured-light scanners, computed tomography, and/or photogrammetry).

Evaluation Criteria

PHASE 1 (CV screening): Assessment of merits, up to a maximum of 4 points. A minimum of 2 points is required to advance to the next phase. The following aspects will be assessed:

1. Work experience (maximum 2 points)

2. Education and training (maximum 0.5 points)

3. Languages (maximum 0.5 points)

4. Software (maximum 1 point)

PHASE 2 (assessment of shortlisted candidates): Interview, up to a maximum of 6 points. A minimum of 3 points is required to be selected or to join the reserve list. The following aspects will be assessed:

1. Motivation (maximum 1 point)

2. Previous experience (maximum 2 points)

3. Technical skills (maximum 2 points)

4. Teamwork skills (maximum 1 point)

Additional Documentation

Candidates must submit a cover letter and an extended CV. All documents must be submitted in English (in PDF format).

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