ICREA Senior Researcher position

About us

The Institute for Research in Biomedicine of Lleida (IRBLleida) has been a pioneering institution in biomedical research and innovation since 2004. With a multidisciplinary team of more than 600 people, we work in key areas such as oncology, neuroscience, cardiology and endocrinology, among others. We foster collaboration with national and international institutions to share knowledge and cutting-edge technologies. In addition, we are committed to the training of new talent and constant innovation in biomedicine. Our goal is to understand the fundamental mechanisms of human pathologies and to generate scientific discoveries that transform people’s health and quality of life.

ICREA Senior Researcher

1.           Call Opening

1.1.      Introduction

The Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida – Fundació Dr. Pifarré (IRBLleida) opens a call aimed at attracting researchers in the field of biomedical sciences with an outstanding scientific record and leadership that want to continue their scientific career in our institute holding an ICREA Senior Researcher position. The candidate must have a solid scientific trajectory and international experience in the pre-doctoral and/or post-doctoral period. The research of the candidates must be aligned with IRBLleida’s scientific programs and strategic objectives. Ideally, their expertise and field of research should generate new synergies with the ongoing research lines at IRBLleida.

1.2.      Summary

Researchers wishing to apply to a forthcoming ICREA 2026 Senior Researcher position (https://www.icrea.cat/en/calls ) or already holding an ICREA Senior position and wanting to continue their career at IRBLleida can apply to this call.

2.           Call Description

2.1.      Scope

The main aim is to attract researchers with an outstanding scientific track record and leadership capabilities in the field of biomedical sciences to continue their scientific careers at the Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida (IRBLleida) in an ICREA Senior Researcher position.

2.2.      Funding & Payment

The successful candidate will be offered a start-up package to carry out her/his research at IRBLleida.

2.3.      Startup Package and Acceptance of the Position

Startup package. During the initial three years, the selected candidate will be granted:

• Startup funds: Up to 450.000€ over three years (equivalent to 150.000€ annually) to support expenses related to equipment, reagents, and personnel. Adequate laboratory and office space will be provided to commence research activities. Salary top-up: Alongside the standard ICREA Senior Researcher Salary, and additional top-up will be offered, with the exact amount to be discussed and agree upon with the researcher.

Stable package: After the initial 3 years, researchers will receive:

• Lab funds: Up to 50.000€ annually to cover staff, equipment, or reagent expenses.
• Salary top-up: In addition to the standard ICREA Senior Researcher salary, a negotiable top-up will continue to be provided.

After final award decision and notification, the successful candidate must accept the position within 15 calendar days by sending an email to [email protected]. If the position in not accepted, it can be offered to the next ranked candidate. The position can be left vacant if no candidates are found to be suitable after the evaluation process is completed.

2.4.      Starting date

Successful candidate is expected to join our institute no later than September 2027.

3.           Candidates profile

3.1.      Eligibility

The candidates must have a Ph.D. degree obtained preferably before 2022, with relevant multinational exposure at pre-doctoral and/or post-doctoral level. Candidates in an expansive phase of their academic career, with an outstanding research record and leadership are encouraged to apply. Applications from women are especially welcome.

4.           Evaluation process

The evaluation process will consist of two stages and will be carried out by a Scientific Strategy Committee composed of the Director and the Deputy Director of IRBLleida and at least three members of the external Scientific Advisory Board (eSAB) of the Institute. The evaluations will be based on the excellence of the research record, the research plan for the next five years, the strategic added value of the research carried out by the candidates, and when required, personal interviews with the candidates.

• Stage 1: Candidates who want to apply for an ICREA Senior Researcher position to continue their research at IRBLleida will be evaluated and ranked by the Scientific Strategy Committee. Selected candidates will receive a letter of ‘Expression of Interest (EOI)’ from IRBLleida, as host institute for their ICREA Senior Researcher application, before 27th February 2026. The candidates must complete the ICREA application procedure as described in their website: https://www.icrea.cat/en/calls.
• Stage 2: Only applicants that have an ICREA Senior Researcher position, obtained in the ICREA 2026 call or earlier ICREA calls, can proceed to the second stage of the current IRBLleida call. In this second stage of the evaluation, candidates will be evaluated and ranked by the Scientific Strategy Committee. The final appointment will be ratified by the Board of Trustees of IRBLleida based on the evaluation reports of the Scientific Strategy Committee, and the appointed candidate will be offered a start-up package to join IRBLleida (see point 2.3).

The principles of impartiality, absence of conflict of interest, objectivity and scientific rigor shall be observed during the evaluation process. All interviews will be governed by the OMT-R (Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment) principles of the Institute’s Recruitment and Selection policy established by the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter & Code). Candidates will be duly informed of the progress of their application after each phase of the process. Possible claims and allegations received within one week after each phase will be considered by the Scientific Strategy Committee, that will prepare the appropriate response, which will not be open to any further appeals. 

4.1.      Proposal Submission

Candidates that want to continue their career at IRBLleida after applying for an ICREA Senior Researcher position in the 2026 call (https://www.icrea.cat/en/calls ) should send in their application to the current IRBLleida call before 15th February 2026 to undergo Stage 1 of the evaluation process.

Candidates already holding an ICREA position and that want to continue their research at IRBLleida should send in their application before the final award decision of the 2026 ICREA Senior Researcher call, to join Stage 2 of the evaluation process. All applicants must provide the following documentation by sending an email to [email protected] with the following subject: “OUTSTANDING RESEARCHERS CALL – Name of candidate”:

1. A standardized Curriculum Vitae (CVA), ideally generated using the FECYT online tool: https://cvn.fecyt.es/editor/index.html?locale=eng#INDEX .
2. A research statement containing a summary of past achievements, including the main publications, training and technology transfer activity, and a research plan for the next 5 years describing the different research lines and ongoing competitive projects. Maximum of 5 pages.
3. A description of how the new group will complement and synergize with the research programs at IRBLleida, existing or planned collaborations with IRBLleida groups as well as the specific needs in terms of space, human resources, scientific equipment or core facilities. Maximum of 2 pages.
4. Two letters of support.