Periodic Reporting for period 2 - BEST (Postdoctoral Programme in Bioengineering Excellence Scientific Training)
Reporting period: 2019-02-01 to 2022-01-31
The Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC, www.ibecbarcelona.eu/) is a leading-edge multidisciplinary research centre based in Barcelona that conducts excellent interdisciplinary research at the frontiers of engineering and life sciences in order to generate new knowledge by putting together fields like nanomedicine, biophysics, biotechnology, tissue engineering and the applications of health information technology. Within this framework, IBEC launched the Programme in Bioengineering Excellence Scientific Training (BEST). The programme aims to attracting international experienced researchers in the areas of Nanomedicine, Cell Engineering and ICT for Health, the three research Flagships at the Institute.
The BEST Postdoctoral Programme provides exceptional training opportunities for up to 24 (in 2 calls of 12 positions per call) high-potential fellows, with a 2-year contract at IBEC and funded interdisciplinary and intersectoral placements at world-class research centres, hospitals and companies within IBECs global network of collaborating institutions. In April 2015, IBEC was awarded the ‘Human Resources Excellence in Research’ from the European Commission, in recognition of its commitment to continuously improving its HR policies in line with The European Charter of Researchers and The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code). In line with this recognition, IBEC sets up an international, transparent, equal-opportunities recruitment procedure to select the most qualified researchers for the BEST programme.
The BEST Programme represents a unique opportunity to widen the candidate's perspectives in biomedical engineering. The programme boosts their scientific creativity, through the exposure to other techniques, approaches and mutual inspiration from colleagues with diverse backgrounds. Nonetheless, it also broadens their career choices, thanks to the mobility experiences that they enjoy within the IBEC network.
The motivation to launch the programme came from the scarce number of international postdoctoral researchers at IBEC. The increase and enhancement of postdoctoral trainees at IBEC is one of the fundamental goals under the training/attracting talent axis at the IBECs´ Strategic Plan and the BEST programme and, at the same time, it is an asset for the regional and national partnering organisations, and in a more generic way, biomedical engineering companies and research labs, who could benefit ultimately from their attraction to the Catalan/Spanish ecosystem. The BEST Programme has allowed to leverage the postdoctoral community at IBEC, both in quality and quantity.
The training opportunities offered to the fellows will guarantee not only the acquisition of cutting-edge skills at other top academic institutions, but also shape the participants as “facilitators” in the private-public collaborating arena, and acutely aware of the “final users” input and feedback (clinical sector). The BEST programme contributes to enhance the high-skilled human resources in the area of convergence of key enabling technologies (KETs) such as nanotechnology, industrial biotechnology and advanced materials, to provide solutions for the medical technologies sector. The area of convergence of diverse KETs is remarked as one of the priorities within the Smart Specialization strategy for the region of Catalonia, along with the innovation for the health technologies industrial sectors. At the regional level, the excellent trained BEST fellows benefit from and contribute to improve the rich research and innovation environment existing in Catalonia.
At the same time, thanks to its training at the highest global standards and the international dimension of their career at national and international level the BEST fellows are prepared to make significant contributions the new economy based on knowledge and innovation.
The BEST Postdoctoral Programme provides exceptional training opportunities for up to 24 (in 2 calls of 12 positions per call) high-potential fellows, with a 2-year contract at IBEC and funded interdisciplinary and intersectoral placements at world-class research centres, hospitals and companies within IBECs global network of collaborating institutions. In April 2015, IBEC was awarded the ‘Human Resources Excellence in Research’ from the European Commission, in recognition of its commitment to continuously improving its HR policies in line with The European Charter of Researchers and The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code). In line with this recognition, IBEC sets up an international, transparent, equal-opportunities recruitment procedure to select the most qualified researchers for the BEST programme.
The BEST Programme represents a unique opportunity to widen the candidate's perspectives in biomedical engineering. The programme boosts their scientific creativity, through the exposure to other techniques, approaches and mutual inspiration from colleagues with diverse backgrounds. Nonetheless, it also broadens their career choices, thanks to the mobility experiences that they enjoy within the IBEC network.
The motivation to launch the programme came from the scarce number of international postdoctoral researchers at IBEC. The increase and enhancement of postdoctoral trainees at IBEC is one of the fundamental goals under the training/attracting talent axis at the IBECs´ Strategic Plan and the BEST programme and, at the same time, it is an asset for the regional and national partnering organisations, and in a more generic way, biomedical engineering companies and research labs, who could benefit ultimately from their attraction to the Catalan/Spanish ecosystem. The BEST Programme has allowed to leverage the postdoctoral community at IBEC, both in quality and quantity.
The training opportunities offered to the fellows will guarantee not only the acquisition of cutting-edge skills at other top academic institutions, but also shape the participants as “facilitators” in the private-public collaborating arena, and acutely aware of the “final users” input and feedback (clinical sector). The BEST programme contributes to enhance the high-skilled human resources in the area of convergence of key enabling technologies (KETs) such as nanotechnology, industrial biotechnology and advanced materials, to provide solutions for the medical technologies sector. The area of convergence of diverse KETs is remarked as one of the priorities within the Smart Specialization strategy for the region of Catalonia, along with the innovation for the health technologies industrial sectors. At the regional level, the excellent trained BEST fellows benefit from and contribute to improve the rich research and innovation environment existing in Catalonia.
At the same time, thanks to its training at the highest global standards and the international dimension of their career at national and international level the BEST fellows are prepared to make significant contributions the new economy based on knowledge and innovation.
During the duration of the BEST Programme, two calls for applicants were launched which allowed incorporating 24 fellows with a 2-year contract (17 females and 7 males) to IBEC. The evaluation and selection processes for both calls were accomplished including the management of the Selection panels. IBEC set up an international, transparent, equal-opportunities recruitment procedure to select the most qualified researchers for the BEST programme. Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) is one of the main pillars of the Charter and Code, and a top priority of the European Research Area. Our Recruitment and Selection Policy is based on the OTM-R strategy.
For all the dissemination activities, the support from the Management Office of the BEST programme, and from the members of the Communications and Outreach Unit of IBEC was essential to reach a bigger community target to attract top-class international candidates. A BEST Programme minisite was launched (http://postdocs.ibecbarcelona.eu/(opens in new window)). It includes all the information related to the programme and to IBEC. On the same date of the launch of both calls of the BEST Programme, the calls were published on the IBEC website and posted through recognized science recruitment websites and platforms. Furthermore, The BEST programme advertisement in EURAXESS was placed under the 'Science4Refugees' label for taking into account the refugees’ situation and, for refugees under the Geneva Convention, the refugee procedure (i.e. before refugee status is conferred) was not counted as ‘period of residence/activity’ in Spain when assessing whether the candidate has spent more than 12 months in Spain prior to recruitment.
Until the end of the project, the BEST Programme fellows have published 36 articles in international journals and filled in 2 patents. Furthermore, they have participated in several international scientific conferences to present their work perfomed at IBEC to a scientific audience and also in several outreach activities to bring the science closer to the citizens.
For all the dissemination activities, the support from the Management Office of the BEST programme, and from the members of the Communications and Outreach Unit of IBEC was essential to reach a bigger community target to attract top-class international candidates. A BEST Programme minisite was launched (http://postdocs.ibecbarcelona.eu/(opens in new window)). It includes all the information related to the programme and to IBEC. On the same date of the launch of both calls of the BEST Programme, the calls were published on the IBEC website and posted through recognized science recruitment websites and platforms. Furthermore, The BEST programme advertisement in EURAXESS was placed under the 'Science4Refugees' label for taking into account the refugees’ situation and, for refugees under the Geneva Convention, the refugee procedure (i.e. before refugee status is conferred) was not counted as ‘period of residence/activity’ in Spain when assessing whether the candidate has spent more than 12 months in Spain prior to recruitment.
Until the end of the project, the BEST Programme fellows have published 36 articles in international journals and filled in 2 patents. Furthermore, they have participated in several international scientific conferences to present their work perfomed at IBEC to a scientific audience and also in several outreach activities to bring the science closer to the citizens.
The incorporation of the BEST fellows, the review of their PDPs, their needs and interests and the meetings with the Supervisory Board allowed us to analyse the training offered, to discover lacks and to improve the training catalogue offered at IBEC. Besides of the impact of the research of the fellows for IBEC and for the society in general, the BEST fellowships and the training offered at IBEC provided a positive impact in the professional careers of the fellows.
After the end of the fellowship, we can conclude that the initial expectations have been fulfilled. From the 24 fellows incorporated, 18 finished the 24 months fellowship and 4 more resigned after the month 20 to move on on their careers. Seven fellows have been offered a contract by their supervisors and are continuing their careers at IBEC. One other fellow, after gaining some experience in the Tech Transfer unit of a hospital research centre, has moved back to the Tech Transfer Unit of IBEC to further develop his career. Three fellows have moved their careers to the industry and the rest all have a position as a researcher or professor in a research institute or university. It is noteworthy that 14, out of which 10 are not originally Spanish, have continued their career in the Catalan/Spanish ecosystem.
These show the high impact that the stay at IBEC and the BEST programme have had in the careers of the beneficiary fellows, being a bridge between their previous position and a new position in academia or industry.
After the end of the fellowship, we can conclude that the initial expectations have been fulfilled. From the 24 fellows incorporated, 18 finished the 24 months fellowship and 4 more resigned after the month 20 to move on on their careers. Seven fellows have been offered a contract by their supervisors and are continuing their careers at IBEC. One other fellow, after gaining some experience in the Tech Transfer unit of a hospital research centre, has moved back to the Tech Transfer Unit of IBEC to further develop his career. Three fellows have moved their careers to the industry and the rest all have a position as a researcher or professor in a research institute or university. It is noteworthy that 14, out of which 10 are not originally Spanish, have continued their career in the Catalan/Spanish ecosystem.
These show the high impact that the stay at IBEC and the BEST programme have had in the careers of the beneficiary fellows, being a bridge between their previous position and a new position in academia or industry.