ppOrganisation/Company Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron- Institut de recerca Department Research Department Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 31 Jul 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Andorra) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Other EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No /ph3Offer Description /h3pbNEURO-immune and GATEway-mediated mechanisms to counteract Parkinson’s Disease (NEUROGATE-PD) /b /ppVHIR is seeking an outstanding and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to apply for a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship and join the Neurodegenerative Disorders Research Group. /ppThe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) are part of the Horizon Europe programme and support postdoctoral researchers in developing an original research and innovation project through international mobility. /ppThe programme aims to strengthen researchers’ careers through excellent science, international collaboration and interdisciplinary experience, while fostering integration in both academic and non-academic environments. The MSCA-PF call is highly competitive and represents an excellent opportunity to attract international talent and support researchers in consolidating their scientific careers through an ambitious mobility-based fellowship. /ppThe 2026 call closes on 09/09/2026 (17:00 Brussels time). For candidates applying to a European Postdoctoral Fellowship, the fellowship duration is from b12 to 24 months /b. /ppParkinson’s disease (PD) is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative disorder, affecting over 10 million people worldwide. Current treatments remain symptomatic and do not prevent disease progression. Although classically defined by dopaminergic neuron loss and α-synuclein aggregation, PD is now recognised as a multi-system disorder. /ppNon-motor symptoms such as gastrointestinal dysfunction, mood alterations, and sleep disturbances often precede motor symptoms, highlighting the gut–brain axis as a bidirectional communication network relevant for PD pathogenesis. Within this axis, microbiota composition, barrier integrity, and immune signalling contribute to neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Aging impairs both barrier function and immune homeostasis. In PD, these alterations are exacerbated, increasing permeability, immune cell infiltration, chronic inflammation, and neurodegeneration. However, the relative contribution of aging versus environmental factors (e.g., infections, pollutants), and the therapeutic opportunities derived from restoring these functions, remain unclear. /ppTo address these gaps, this project will integrate clinical research, experimental models, and mechanistic studies in a multidisciplinary and international framework,



aiming to uncover mechanisms linking barrier dysfunction to neurodegeneration and to develop regenerative strategies targeting these interfaces. /ppThis approach will advance our understanding of brain–body communication, identify biomarkers, and open new therapeutic avenues for PD and other age-related diseases. /ppbObjective /b /ppNEUROGATE-PD aims to understand the principles of barrier-mediated brain–body interactions in Parkinson’s disease (PD). This project will address key knowledge gaps essential for future biomarker discovery and therapeutic development aimed at preventing neurodegeneration through restoration of barrier function. In addition, it will investigate the impact of lifestyle factors (e.g., nutrition, microbiota, and environmental pollutants) on barrier integrity and how these factors influence PD onset and progression using relevant clinical cohorts and humanised experimental models. /ph3Main research lines: /h3ullibClinical and Biomarker Research /b /li /ulpVHIP includes 200 participants (patients, carriers, controls), combining clinical, genetic, imaging, and biospecimen data. Objectives: /pulliBiomarker discovery (risk, diagnosis, prognosis) /liliDisease stratification /liliEarly pathophysiology understanding gender perspective is systematically integrated. /liliTranslational Innovation and Therapeutics /liliFocus on gut–brain communication and neuroimmune modulation /liliStudying enteric α-synuclein pathogenicity /liliDietary interventions /liliDevelopment of participatory initiatives involving patients and stakeholders to improve quality of life and promote societal impact. /li /ulh3Main responsibilities and duties: /h3ulliInvestigate inter-organ communication mechanisms in PD to identify novel pathogenic pathways, biomarkers, and disease-modifying strategies. /liliAnalysis of human samples and clinical data /liliMechanistic studies in rodent and cellular models /liliWork within a multidisciplinary environment within the Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Group at VHIR, involving expertise in neurology, biomedicine, biotechnology, chemistry, and bioinformatics. /liliParticipate in seminars, international collaborations, conferences, and short research stays. /liliApplicants must hold a PhD degree or have successfully defended their thesis before the call deadline (09/09/2026) /liliApplicants must comply with the mobility rule, meaning they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work/studies)



in the host country for more than 12 months during the 36 months prior to the call deadline. /liliBasic communication skills in English Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English. /liliExperience and knowledge of basic laboratory histological techniques (e.g. stereological cell analysis, IHC, IF, confocal microscopy) and molecular techniques (ELISA, RTqPCR, WB, Dot Blot, Flow Cytometry). /liliCertification and experience working with animal models and knowledge of animal experimentation techniques (stereotaxic injection of AdenoAssociatedViral Vectors (AAV), behavioral tests, oral gavage, ip/iv/sc administration). /liliPrevious knowledge in the field of neurodegenerative diseases, specifically in Parkinson’s Disease. /liliPrevious experience processing human and animal samples (brain tissue and biofluids). /liliExperience in software for image and data analysis (OlyVIA, Image J, GraphPad, Stata, R). /li /ulh3Experience and knowledge: /h3h3Required: /h3ulliApplicants must have a maximum of b8 years of postdoctoral research experience /b by the call deadline. This means candidates are generally eligible if they obtained their PhD bon or after 10/09/2018 /b (possible extensions may apply, e.g. parental leave or long-term illness). /liliAt least 3 years of experience working with preclinical rodent models. /liliProactive, dynamic and outstanding organisational skills. /liliStrong sense of responsibility, initiative, self-motivation and social skills as key personal abilities. /liliAbility to work independently as well as in a team environment. /liliPrevious experience with Neurosciences, Immunology or Microbiology. /liliMain author of scientific publications in indexed journals. /liliMobility and research experience abroad /li /ulh3Additional Information /h3pSelection process /ppbDeadline to apply: /b /ppAdditional comments /ppVHIR embraces Equality and Diversity. As reflected in our values we work toward ensuring inclusion and equal opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training, and management for all staff within the organisation, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, functional diversity or ethnicity.br/Information on Personal Data Protection:br/Data Controller: Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca -VHIR-. Purpose: Personnel selection. Legal Basis: Your consent. Data retention period: One year. If you are selected, as long as the employment relationship is in force and legal responsibilities may arise. Data sharing: Does not occur, except for communications necessary to fulfill the purpose and those required by law to public and private bodies. Rights: You can access, rectify, delete, object to, and limit the processing of data, as well as request data portability where applicable, by contacting . DPO: . More information can be found here .br/Data Protection Authority: APDCAT /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 VHIR-MSCA-.006_Postdoctoral Fellowship (Neurodegenerative Disorders) (España)
🏢 Fundacio Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron- Institut de recerca
📍 España