The Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal) is a cutting-edge institute addressing global public health challenges through research, translation into policy and education. ISGlobal has a broad portfolio in communicable and non-communicable diseases including environmental and climate determinants, and applies a multidisciplinary scientific approach ranging from the molecular to the population level. Research is organized in five programs: Climate, Air Pollution, Nature and Urban Health; Environment and Health over the Lifecourse; Global Viral and Bacterial Infections; Malaria and Neglected Parasitic Diseases and Maternal Child and Reproductive Health. ISGlobal is accredited with the Severo Ochoa distinction, a seal of excellence of the Spanish Science Ministry.

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

ISGlobal is seeking an Research Scientist who is interested in taking over and managing activities of the project CODA Democra-MITS. The overall project goal is to democratize the access to postmortem mortality surveillance by creating simplified, scalable, and affordable MITS protocols, tailored for the different age groups and cause of death categories, easy to be implemented in low-resource settings, but retaining at the same time a high diagnostic accuracy.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct independent and collaborative research activities within the Democra-MITS project.

• Contribute to the design, analysis, and validation of simplified MITS protocols for mortality surveillance.

• Lead and support scientific writing and dissemination of project results.

• Ensure scientific rigor, data quality, and methodological consistency across project components.

• Support coordination between data science, laboratory, and clinical teams.

• Contribute to the translation of research findings into evidence relevant for public health policy and practice.

SPECIFIC DUTIES

• Curate, harmonize, and analyze large-scale MITS datasets from international surveillance platforms.

• Design, implement, and manage REDCap databases for multicenter global health studies.

• Apply statistical and data-driven approaches, including AI-assisted analyses, to evaluate diagnostic yield.

• Participate in retrospective and prospective validation studies comparing s-MITS, c-MITS, and CDA.

• Draft and submit scientific manuscripts to high-impact journals in global health, pathology, and epidemiology.

• Prepare technical, scientific, and progress reports for funders and institutional stakeholders.

• Participate in the development of study protocols, SOPs, and analytical plans.

• Contribute to the preparation of study protocols and documentation for prospective multicenter validation studies.

AUXILIAR TASKS

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post but may evolve at any time in the future as duties and responsibilities change and/or develop providing there is appropriate consultation with the post-holder.

This job description is not a definitive or exhaustive list of responsibilities but identifies the key responsibilities and tasks of the post holder. The specific objectives of the post holder will be subject to review as part of the individual professional assessment process.

SKILLS

• Teamwork and collaborative working skills.

• Problem-solving and decision-making capacity.

• Strong learning ability and adaptability in a research environment.

• Effective communication skills in multidisciplinary and multicultural settings.

• Ability to manage tasks independently while contributing to team objectives.

The post holder will adhere to ISGlobal principles contained in People management policy, including Equity, diversity and health safety. The post holder will respect, and be accountable to ensure ISGlobal policies and procedures.

TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE / QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in Biomedical Sciences or a closely related discipline.

• Postdoctoral or equivalent senior research experience in biomedical and/or global health research.

• Demonstrated track record of scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals.

• Proven experience leading scientific writing activities, including original research articles, systematic analyses, grant proposals, and technical reports.

• Demonstrated expertise in managing, curating, and analyzing complex clinical, pathological, microbiological, and epidemiological datasets.

• Advanced experience with REDCap or similar clinical research data management platforms.

• Solid background in pathology-, oncology-, microbiology-, or laboratory-based diagnostic research.

• Proven knowledge of research ethics, data protection regulations (GDPR), and Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

• Experience working in or with low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and international research consortia is highly desirable.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

• Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, with the ability to interpret heterogeneous biomedical data.

• Capacity to integrate clinical, pathological, microbiological, and epidemiological information.

• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to multidisciplinary research teams.

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

• Ability to manage multiple research tasks and deliver outputs within agreed timelines.

• Strong interest in global health, mortality surveillance, and research in low- and middle-income countries.

• Willingness to collaborate with international partners across diverse geographical and cultural contexts.

LANGUAGE LEVEL

• Proficiency in Catalan, English, and Spanish.

CONDITIONS

• Duration: until the end of the project on 31/10/27

• Starting date: 01/02/2026

• Contract Type: Full time

• Salary: According to ISGlobal internal salary scale

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants must fill in the request form and attach the CV and a Cover Letter. Each attached document must be named with the candidate name and surname.

The receipt of applications will be open until 27th of January 2025.

The interviews could be placed during the reception of candidatures period.

Diverse candidatures are encouraged, that includes: gender, race, ethnicity, religion, age, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and political views.

SELECTION PROCESS

The selection process is designed in two phases:
1- Interview phase of a technical nature, with the team that requires the incorporation. To assess the person's skills and CV.
2 - Meeting with HR with the finalist(s) to finish assessing the profile and discuss contractual and institutional issues.

If needed any technical test could be passed. A Psychological Competency Evaluation Test will be required for the structural or transversal positions.

In accordance with the OTM-R principles, a gender-balanced recruitment panel is formed for every vacancy at the beginning of the process. After reviewing the content of the applications, the panel will start the interviews, with at least one technical and one administrative interview. A profile questionnaire as well as a technical exercise may be required during the process.

In ISGlobal we are committed to maintaining and developing a work environment in which the values and principles of our organization are respected and equal opportunities between women and men be promoted in each of the areas in which we operate, not tolerating discrimination based on criteria such as age, gender, marital status, race, ethnicity, functional diversity, political leanings, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

We confirm our commitment towards the value of the diversity of our staff and student population and seek to promote peace, equity, diversity and inclusion as essential elements in contribution to improving health worldwide.