BITRECS

Introduction 

The Biomedicine International training research programme for excellent clinician-scientists (BITRECS) will support one outstanding post-doctoral clinician-scientist with the implementation of their 36-monts research project and will provide them with high-level professional training to become future leaders in the area of expertise. The first edition began in 2017 and received funding from the European Commission and the “La Caixa” Foundation. 

The IDIBAPS is a foundation for research of excellence that tackles diseases with high prevalence, morbidity and mortality in society. The Clinic Barcelona hospital, a century-old reference hospital committed to healthcare, research and teaching, covering virtually all medical and surgical specialities is part of this foundation.   

The common commitment acquired by both institutions, as pioneers in clinician-scientist promotion, makes possible to launch BITRECS “Biomedicine International training research programme for excellent clinician-scientist”. This fellowship programme is receiving funding from “la Caixa” Foundation, code number LCF/PR/SP23/52950012. 

The close interaction of 100 IDIBAPS clinical and laboratory research groups drives forward original translational and multidisciplinary research oriented to solve relevant biological and clinical questions for human health. Moreover, the institute have been being pioneering dedicated programmes to promote the profiles of clinician-scientists.  

IDIBAPS tackles cutting-edge translational research in 5 main areas focusing on:  

• Biological aggression and response mechanisms 

• Liver, digestive system and metabolism  

• Oncology and haematology 

• Respiratory, cardiovascular and renal pathobiology and bioengineering 

• Clinical and experimental neuroscience  

IDIBAPS offers training and career development opportunities, and access to state-of-the-art facilities in the institute. Different departments ensure that IDIBAPS researchers have access to modern working spaces with functional research equipment and comprehensive lab management support. Moreover, IDIBAPS organizes in-house activities, seminars, courses and workshops, promoting professional and personnel growth and interaction.  

The institute offers excellent working conditions and creative environment as ensured by the HR Excellence in Research award (European Commission).  

Calendar for the call for applications 

The calendar for submitting applications for the BITRECS is as follows:  

• January 15th 2024: Opening of the call for applications 

• April 10th 2024: Close of the call for applications 

• May-June 2024: Decision on the call for applications 

Terms and conditions of BITRECS

Object  

A research contract will be awarded to a postdoctoral clinician-scientist. Awarding of the grant for the contract will be linked to the development of an integrated translational project. 

The duration of the research contract will be 3 years. 

Applicants 

• Demonstrate a PhD or equivalence (4 years of full-time equivalent research experience) prior to the call deadline. This option is only available for candidates with a clinical residency training.  

• At the time of submitting the application, the applicant must have completed the clinical residency training in the last 10 years or have minimum 3 years of experience to clinical activity. 

• Be the main author (first, last or corresponding) of an original article with impact in a specific research area.  

• Knowledge of English (minimum B2 level) 

Endowment  

The contract will have a duration of three years. The selected applicant will carry out the contract at the centre calling for applications (IDIBAPS) and will finish the contract on the dates indicated in the decision.  

The three-year research contract will be endowed with an approximate amount of 55.000€ per year. There will be additional amount for lectures, courses, and travel (6.000€) which is also covered by the fellowship. 

The contractual relationship of the successful applicant shall be researcher employee of IDIBAPS.  

Application  

The application shall include the following documentation:  

1. Application form duly completed by the applicant.

2. Motivation letter indicating the reason for submitting the application (maximum 1.000 characters, including spaces), indicating the IDIBAPS group that you would like to join based on your profile and interests (see Appendix IDIBAPS Groups)

3. Research proposal.

4. Two reference letters

5. University Degree

6. PhD Diploma

7. Clinical Residency Training Diploma or equivalent

8. Letter/s and/or certificate/s referring to the equivalences for the PhD or the clinical residency training.  

9. Signed authorization in reference to personal data protection law. European Regulation (UE) 2016/679

Send all the documentation to the e-mail address bitrecs@recerca.clinic.cat before the deadline for submitting applications. 

Evaluation procedure  

The selection process and the assignation of the research contract shall be carried out by an evaluating committee of experts of recognized prestige in the area of clinical or translational research.   

The committee shall act following the Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment process (OTM-R).   

Candidates' evaluation consists of two phases:  

• Phase 1. Application Assessment to select the best eligible candidate in terms of excellence.  

• Phase 2. Face-to-face interview and final selection phase to help judge the potential of each candidate to be future independent and outstanding European research leaders.  

Evaluation criteria:  

• Candidate (60%): Considering the track record; and, other scientific merits.  
• Research proposal (30%): Excellence and impact in the scientific field; and, coherence and feasibility of the research proposal’s work plan.  
• Adequacy and motivation (10%): Appropriateness of the institutional environment; and, motivation to enrol BITRECS. 

Evaluators will consider the candidate’s excellence in terms of scientific performance and research proposal, together with their motivation and commitment to the initiative.  

Decision  

The decision on the call for applications shall be published here. 

The call for applications may be declared null and the decision of the evaluating committee may not be appealed.   

Once the decision on the call for the applications has been made, the name of the beneficiary of the research contract and the composition of the evaluating committee shall be published on the IDIBAPS website.   

Signing  

The start of the exercise of the contract shall take place no later than three months from the signing of the acceptance commitment (in exceptional cases it would be negotiable according to the candidate’s availability).  

Acceptance  

Applicants shall comply with the provisions of the legislation in force on the protection of personal data.  

Applying to this call for applications implies acceptance of its terms and conditions and decision. 

Documentation