Postdoctoral scientist, gut microbiome, host genetics and emergent phenotypes

The Institute

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies. 

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research ' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and theCode of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code). 

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy

The role  

We are seeking a postdoctoral scientist deeply interested in dissecting the interplay between gut microbiome and host genetics, taking into account that socially interacting hosts can exchange gut microbes (horizontal transmission), and evaluating the effect of these factors on emergent phenotypes (gut metabolome and host behaviour, in particular). Our lab is generating large-scale, state-of-the-art gut metagenomics data for thousands of genetically heterogeneous laboratory rats whose gut metabolome and behaviour have previously been characterised by collaborators. We are looking for a postdoctoral scientist to exploit these data in creative and rigorous ways.  

The ideal candidate will have solid experience analysing microbiome deep shotgun sequencing data to profile the microbiome at the taxonomic and functional levels and applying statistical analyses to large datasets to identify (ideally, genetic) factors affecting the composition and function of the microbiome and how the microbiome affects the host. They will be keen to interact with other team members, including PhD students and bioinformaticians, to interchange expertise. 

About the team

The Social and Host-Microbiome Systems lab aims to expand our understanding of the genetic basis of complex traits to encompass genes found in the environment: genes of social partners and genes of the gut microbiota.  

Foundational studies for the lab include:

• Novel insights into the genetic architecture and mechanisms of host/microbiome interactions from a multi-cohort analysis of outbred laboratory rats. Tonnele, Chen et al. bioRxiv (2025) (In Review). This study was based on 16S data but we now use only deep shotgun sequencing data to profile the microbiome.  

• Dissecting indirect genetic effects from peers in laboratory mice. Baud et al. Genome Biol (2021)

Our team is multidisciplinary, with expertise in quantitative/statistical (host) genetics (e.g. heritability, GWAS), with a particular focus on “indirect genetic effects” between socially interacting individuals (i.e. when the phenotype of one individual is affected by heritable traits of social partners), and metagenomics (creating and analysing deep shotgun metagenomic data in large cohorts, detecting horizontal transmission). We are mostly computational, but have a small lab component and work in close collaboration with the CRG core units for metagenome sequencing. We have a long-standing collaboration with the NIDA Center of Excellence for Genetics, Genomics, and Epigenetics of Substance Use Disorders in Outbred Rats (https://ratgenes.org/ ).   

Whom would we like to hire?  

Professional experience  

Must Have

• You have proven experience processing and analysing shotgun metagenomic data 

• You have proven experience applying statistical methods to large datasets 

• You have proven programming competence in Python and/or R, and expertise in Linux and high-performance computing environments 

• You have a genuine interest in, and prior exposure (through lab colleagues, seminars…) to, host quantitative/statistical genetics (heritability, GWAS…) 

• You have first-hand experience writing paper(s) 

Desirable but not required/ Nice to have

• Knowledge on host/gut microbiome ecosystems 

• Experience with host quantitative/statistical genetics (heritability, GWAS…) 

Education and training

• You hold a PhD in metagenomics

Languages

• You are fluent in English 

Competences  

• Structured reasoning skills and attention to details, allowing you to carry out rigorous science 

• Ability to progressively develop a strategy to extract novelty from the data and your results  

• Organizational skills to manage multitasking (reading the literature, analysing data, preparing meetings, meeting deadlines…) 

• Ability to communicate effectively in meetings 

• Desire and ability to work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team 

The Offer – Working Conditions 

• Contract duration: 3 years 

• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales 

• Target start date:Septembre 2025 (but it could be earlier or later); applications will be reviewed and processed on a rolling basis. 

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section .

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion,sexual orientation or gender identity.

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.

Application Procedure

All applications must include:

All applications must be addressed to Dr. Amelie Baud and be submitted online through the "Apply" button below.

Selection Process

• Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected in the candidate’s motivation letter and CV. It will be merit-based. 

• Interview: Preselected candidates will be interviewed by Dr Amelie Baud and at least one other Group Leader. Meetings will be organised with team members as well. 

• Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is identified the People department will send a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary, working conditions, among other important details.  

Deadline: The position will remain open until it's covered.