PhD Position on RNA’s Role in Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology

This fully funded PhD position at the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) focuses on uncovering how RNA-mediated alterations drive early neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease. Under the supervision of Dr. Mireya Plass, the successful candidate will integrate single-cell omics (scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq, scCUT&Tag) with computational modeling to identify novel molecular mechanisms. Using iPSC-derived neural models and perturbation experiments, the project aims to validate findings against postmortem Alzheimer’s brain data, offering advanced training in cutting-edge multi-omics and computational biology. The work bridges experimental neuroscience and bioinformatics, with potential to uncover therapeutic targets upstream of neurodegeneration.

• Conduct single-cell omics experiments (scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq, scCUT&Tag) to profile molecular alterations in Alzheimer’s disease models.
• Develop and apply computational models to infer gene regulatory networks and cell-cell communication pathways from omics data.
• Validate computational predictions using perturbation experiments, imaging, and molecular biology techniques.
• Compare experimental findings with postmortem Alzheimer’s brain data to identify novel neurodegeneration mechanisms.
• Train in cutting-edge multi-omics techniques, iPSC-derived neural models, and computational biology methodologies.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences and publish results in peer-reviewed journals.