Applications are invited for a fully funded 4-year PhD position in Statistical Genomics and Precision Medicine in Type 2 Diabetes at the Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP) in Badalona (Barcelona), Spain. Funded via the Spanish FPI predoctoral programme (“Proyectos de Generación de Conocimiento” PEICTI 2024–2027), the doctoral researcher will work under the supervision of Dr. Sílvia Bonàs-Guarch and co-supervision by Dr. Anne L. Madsen from the Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Denmark.
| Designation | Predoctoral Researcher / PhD Candidate (FPI Contract) |
|---|---|
| Research Area | Statistical Genomics, Computational Biology, Precision Medicine, Type 2 Diabetes |
| Funding Type | Fully Funded (4-year Spanish FPI Predoctoral Contract) |
| Host Institution | Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP), Can Ruti Campus |
| Location | Badalona (Barcelona), Spain (with research stays in Aarhus, Denmark) |
| Expected Start Date | January 2027 |
| Application Deadline | 31st October 2026 |
Designation
PhD Student / Predoctoral Researcher (under a 4-year full-time FPI contract).
Research Area
The position is situated at the intersection of Statistical Genomics, Precision Medicine, Computational Biology, and Metabolic Diseases (Type 2 Diabetes). Key research elements include:
- Developing mechanism-specific polygenic risk scores for pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction.
- Constructing joint genetic-exposure liability models integrating GWAS and exposome data.
- Leveraging regulatory genomics, pleiotropy, and generative machine-learning tools.
- Analyzing large-scale human population cohorts, including the UK Biobank, the GCAT cohort, and Danish population datasets.
Location
Primary Host: Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP), Can Ruti Biomedical Campus, Badalona (Barcelona area), Spain.
Partner Host (Research Stays): Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus (Aarhus University Hospital), Denmark.
Scholarship Description
This doctoral position is part of a newly funded project addressing the molecular mechanisms driving beta-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes (T2D). The objective is to move beyond standard genetic risk models toward interpretable, biologically grounded predictor models that can tailor patient stratification and advance precision medicine.
The candidate will join the Medical Genomics and Precision Medicine for T2D research line led by Dr. Sílvia Bonàs-Guarch within the Genomes for Life-GCAT Lab (supervised by Dr. Rafa de Cid). Through international partnerships with institutions like the Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), and Harvard Medical School, the PhD candidate will benefit from international secondments, advanced clinical epidemiology training, and high-impact publication opportunities.
What the Fellowship Offers:
- Contract: 4-year full-time predoctoral contract (FPI programme) under Spanish national regulations (100% dedication).
- Remuneration: Competitive salary in line with official Spanish FPI predoctoral scales (distributed across 12 monthly payments).
- Mobility & Training: Dedicated financial support for research stays abroad (notably in Denmark) and attendance at international conferences.
- Work Benefits: Flexible payment options (childminding vouchers), 23 holiday days, plus 5 personal leave days per year.
- Work Environment: HRS4R-accredited research centre situated on the state-of-the-art Can Ruti biomedical campus.
Eligibility and Qualifications
- Degree: Must hold a Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Data Science, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Computer Science, or a related quantitative/life science field.
- Doctoral Admission: Must fulfill all eligibility requirements for admission into an official PhD programme at a Spanish university.
- Technical Skills: Proven experience working with R or Python.
- Interests: Strong interest in human genomics, omics integration, complex polygenic traits, and data-driven biology.
- Core Competencies: Excellent analytical mindset, strong problem-solving capabilities, and the ability to work collaboratively in an international, multidisciplinary team.
How to Apply
Interested candidates must apply directly through the IGTP recruitment portal and attach the following documents in English:
- Cover/Motivation Letter: Outlining your research interests and motivation for applying to this specific project.
- Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV): Detailed academic background, relevant technical skills, and research experience.
- Contact References: Contact details (names, affiliations, emails) of 2–3 academic or professional referees.
The recruitment process consists of two stages:
- Curricular Evaluation: Screening of CVs based on training, academic background, and relevant experience.
- Personal Interview: Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an online or in-person interview to assess suitability and competencies.
For scientific inquiries, applicants may reach out to Dr. Sílvia Bonàs Guarch directly via email at sbonas@igtp.cat.
Last Date for Apply
The deadline to submit applications is 31st October 2026.
Apply Link
Submit your application through the official recruitment portal:
Apply for IGTP PhD Position (Job ID: 2026_130)
