The Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) is a leading public-sector biomedical research institute embedded within the Vall d’Hebron Campus, one of the largest and most comprehensive healthcare ecosystems in southern Europe. VHIR is internationally recognised for its excellence in translational research, bringing together fundamental, clinical and population-based science to accelerate the impact of research on patients’ lives.

In alignment with the European Research Career Framework (R1–R4), VHIR is seeking to recruit an outstanding Recognised Researcher to establish and lead research based on circadian biology and its implications for health and disease. This position is conceived as a strategic entry point into VHIR’s research career pathway, with the opportunity to progress through a competitive internal tenure-track scheme, subject to performance, funding success and periodic evaluation.

This call is designed for ambitious, high-potential researchers ready to take the next step towards scientific leadership. We particularly welcome candidates with a strong trajectory indicative of future success in highly competitive funding schemes

Main responsibilities and duties:

Establish and drive an independent and innovative research line, aligned with VHIR’s strategic priorities
Secure competitive funding as Principal Investigator (PI), with a strong focus on prestigious national and international programmes
Deliver high-impact scientific outputs, publishing in leading peer-reviewed journals and advancing the frontiers of knowledge
Build, lead and mentor a high-performing research team (R1–R2), fostering talent development and scientific excellence
Engage in strategic collaborations with leading national and international partners across academia, healthcare and industry
Oversee research activities, projects and resources, ensuring effective management and delivery of results
Contribute to innovation, knowledge transfer and societal impact, supporting the translation of research into real-world applications

Education and qualifications:

Required:

PhD in relevant discipline
Strong publication record
Proven research independence
Strong potential to secure competitive national and international funding
The capacity to build, lead and inspire a research team
Fluency in English

Desirable:

International experience
High technical and conceptual expertise or strategic mindset to translational potential
Knowledge of Catalan and/or Spanish

Experience and knowledge:

Required:

Experience leading research activities or projects
Ability to supervise and mentor researchers
Capacity to develop collaborations
Communication, dissemination and scientific visibility
Ability to Integrate into and strengthen the host institution
Openness to collaborate with clinical teams, core facilities, or industry

Desirable:

Experience in coordinating small research teams or work packages
International research experience or active participation in international collaborations
Contribution to high-impact publications as first or senior author
Engagement in knowledge transfer, innovation or translational activities
Experience contributing to grant writing and project management

Labour conditions:

Working hours: Full-time (37,5 hours per week).
Starting date: June 15th, 2026
Gross annual salary: Remuneration will be determined by experience, skills and responsibilities and aligned with the Collective Agreement pay scale.
Contract type: Technical and scientific activities contract linked to project

What can we offer?

Incorporation into the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), a public sector institution that promotes and develops biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), the largest hospital in Barcelona and the largest within the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS).
A dynamic scientific environment of excellence, where cutting-edge biomedical projects are continuously developed.
Continuous learning and career development pathways.
Flexible working hours.
23 days of annual leave plus 9 personal days.
Flexible remuneration programme, including meal vouchers, health insurance, transport and more.
Corporate benefits platform, offering significant discounts on travel, culture, technology, gastronomy, sports and more.
Healthy offering– “Feel Good, Feel VHIR”: VHIR’s wellbeing programme offers a variety of activities to help staff thrive—physically, mentally, and socially. Through four pillars—Feel Well, Feel Connected, Feel Empowered, Feel Welcomed—it fosters health, growth, and community.
International mobility support (Welcome Services): we aim to make your arrival in Barcelona smooth and pleasant by providing city information, guidance on required procedures, access to the International Welcome Desk, family support and assistance with finding accommodation.

Deadline to apply: 29-04-2026

How We Hire:

Pre-selection: Candidates are shortlisted based on their skills, qualifications, and relevant experience as outlined in their CVs.

Interviews: Meetings may be held with Talent Acquisition and/or the hiring manager.

Practical assessment: Depending on the role, candidates may complete a case study, technical task, presentation, or written exercise, on-site or remotely.

Checks: Education, references, and other job-related verifications may be carried out.

Job offer: The selected candidate receives a formal job offer upon successful completion of the process.

VHIR embraces Equality and Diversity. As reflected in our values we work toward ensuring inclusion and equal opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training, and management for all staff within the organization, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, functional diversity or ethnicity.

Information on Personal Data Protection:
Data Controller: Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca -VHIR-. Purpose: Personnel selection. Legal Basis: Your consent. Data retention period: One year. If you are selected, as long as the employment relationship is in force and legal responsibilities may arise. Data sharing: Does not occur, except for communications necessary to fulfill the purpose and those required by law to public and private bodies. Rights: You can access, rectify, delete, object to, and limit the processing of data, as well as request data portability where applicable, by contacting lopd@vhir.org. DPO: dpd@ticsalutsocial.cat. More information can be found here.
Data Protection Authority: APDCAT