Postdoc in Biological Sciences & AI Protein Engineering in Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia – Spain

Summary

The Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia, together with Instituto Biofisika (IBF) and partner institutions, offers a fully funded two‑year postdoctoral position focused on AI‑driven design of red and far‑red fluorescent proteins for deep‑tissue neuroimaging. The researcher will apply advanced protein language models, conduct molecular cloning, expression, purification, and perform extensive biophysical and photophysical characterisation. Imaging work includes two‑ and three‑photon microscopy on brain tissue and development of quantitative analysis pipelines. The role also involves co‑supervising graduate students, publishing results, contributing to grant proposals, and presenting at international conferences. Candidates must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline and possess strong molecular biology, biophysics, and English communication skills.

Key Facts

Position Type	Postdoctoral Researcher
Discipline	Biological Sciences
Research Area	AI-Based Red Fluorescent Proteins for Deep-Tissue Neuroimaging
Degree Required	PhD
Funding	Fully funded
Contract Duration	2-year postdoctoral employment contract
Language	English

About the Project

The project aims to create next‑generation red and far‑red fluorescent proteins with enhanced brightness, photostability, and two‑photon absorption using AI‑based protein language models. Designed proteins will be expressed, purified, and characterised biophysically, then evaluated in deep‑tissue imaging of mammalian brain tissue to advance neuroimaging capabilities.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply protein language models (ESM3, ProteinMPNN, RFdiffusion, AlphaFold3, EvoProtGrad) to design red and far‑red fluorescent protein variants
• Clone, express, and purify candidate fluorescent proteins in bacterial and mammalian systems, including primary neuronal cultures
• Perform spectroscopy, quantum yield determination, fluorescence lifetime measurements, photobleaching kinetics, and two‑photon cross‑section measurements
• Acquire and analyse two‑photon and three‑photon microscopy data from brain tissue sections and intact preparations; develop quantitative image analysis pipelines
• Co‑supervise PhD and Master’s students, author scientific publications, contribute to grant proposals, and present findings at international conferences

Required Skills

• Cloning, mutagenesis, protein expression and purification
• Spectroscopy and fluorescence‑lifetime imaging
• Fluorescence and deep‑tissue microscopy expertise
• Strong peer‑reviewed publication record
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Hands‑on experience with AI protein design tools (ESM3, AlphaFold, ProteinMPNN)
• Experience with two‑/three‑photon microscopy
• Python programming
• Primary neuronal culture techniques

Who Should Apply

Applicants with a PhD in Physics, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology or a related field, who have solid experience in molecular cloning, protein expression, spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy, and who are proficient in English will be well suited for this position.

About the Employer

Instituto Biofisika (IBF) is a joint research centre of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), partnered with Fundación Biofísica Bizkaia and supported by the IKUR Strategy of the Basque Government. The post is hosted in the Padilla‑Parra Laboratory and collaborates with CIC biomaGUNE, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, and Onava (San Francisco, USA).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the length of the contract?

It is a 2‑year postdoctoral employment contract.

What language proficiency is required?

Excellent written and spoken English is required.

Which institutions are involved in the project?

Instituto Biofisika (IBF), CIC biomaGUNE, Achucarro Basque Center for Neuroscience, and Onava (San Francisco, USA).