IBEC
About IBEC
At the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), our purpose is to advance health and quality of life through leading-edge research in bioengineering. We bring together experts from different scientific fields to address real challenges in medicine, technology and society, always with a strong focus on impact and public benefit. Our vision is simple and ambitious: to be one of the world’s leading research centres in bioengineering for health.
Our work is grounded in the values that shape daily life at IBEC: Collaboration, Creativity, Respect, Perseverance, Responsibility, Interdisciplinarity, and Openness. These principles define how we work with each other, how we approach science, and how we build a responsible, inclusive, and high-quality research environment. You can find more information about our values by clicking here.
Working at IBEC
A culture of diversity, collaboration and purpose
At IBEC, our recruitment processes follow clear principles to ensure fairness, transparency and equal opportunities. All selections are carried out using open, merit-based and competency-focused criteria, aligned with the European Charter for Researchers and the OTM-R guidelines. We assess candidates based on their skills, experience and potential, not on publication metrics or personal circumstances, and we ensure balanced, inclusive evaluation panels. You can find all details about our selection principles here.
Our culture is built on openness, teamwork and equal opportunities. From comprehensive training programmes to wellbeing initiatives and supportive HR policies, IBEC ensures that everyone has the tools they need to grow. Creativity, respect and interdisciplinarity are lived values that guide daily life at the institute. To learn more about career development at IBEC, visit: https://ibecbarcelona.eu/career-in-bioengineering
This experience leaves a lasting mark. “IBEC was an inclusive environment that strengthened both my technical and ethical skills,” shares alumni Arlyng González (Former Master student). For Isabela Corina Santos (Former PhD student), “arriving at IBEC felt like opening a door to exciting new possibilities.” Many colleagues from the management and support teams also describe IBEC as a defining stage in their careers. As Anna Crespo (Former Project Manager) reflects, “IBEC helped me to see beyond the experiment. It taught me that science is about people — learning from others, connecting ideas, and making an impact.” ed naturally every day.”
Our Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
At the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), we believe that excellence in research and a healthy working environment can only be achieved by embracing equality, diversity and inclusion, which is why since 2015 we have implemented successive Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Plans. The current EDI Plan 2024–2028 strengthens this commitment through ten key action areas—Leadership, Recruitment and Career Development, Work Environment and Culture, Training and Awareness, Gender Equality and Intersectionality, Work–Life Balance and Wellbeing, Communication and Transparency, Harassment Prevention, Participation and Representation, and Monitoring and Evaluation—ensuring that these principles are fully embedded in IBEC’s mission, vision and everyday practice. Find more information here.
Turning Commitment Into Action
IBEC holds the “HR Excellence in Research” award from the European Commission, a distinction that recognises institutions committed to continuous improvement and a researcher-centred, inclusive environment. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is the framework that guides this work, and our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Plan is not a separate initiative — it is an essential part of the HRS4R and one of the actions that drive its implementation. Within this structure, two key committees ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in daily practice and translated into concrete, sustained progress across the institute.
Gender and Diversity Commission
A multidisciplinary group of researchers, technical and management staff that works to ensure that all individuals—regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, nationality, or ability—feel valued, represented, and empowered. Our objectives are to advance representation, ensure equal access to leadership and decision-making roles, and create a safe, supportive environment for all members of our community.
• LGBTIQA+ Working group – a dedicated space that promotes visibility, respect and wellbeing for the LGBTIQA+ community at IBEC. Its goal is to ensure that all sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions are recognised and protected in a safe, discrimination-free environment. This commitment is supported by IBEC’s LGBTQIA+ Plan 2025–2028 (https://ibecbarcelona.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Plan-LGTBIQA-aprobado_ENG.pdf ), which outlines concrete measures to guarantee equal opportunities, prevent discrimination and foster an inclusive culture across the institute.