Organisation/Company Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR) Department Instituto de Transferencia e Investigación (ITEI) Research Field Medical sciences » Cancer research Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 30 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid) Country Spain Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 15 Feb 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
CanGoNano is a European Training Network funded in the framework of HORIZON Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN), focusing on glyconanomaterials (GNM) as precision tools of unveil key insights on the triggering of the antigen presenting cells (APC) against cancer using antigenic peptides and mRNAs encoding for these peptides. Within CanGoNano, Doctoral Candidates (DCs) will be equipped with a thorough multifaceted knowledge of the potential of glycoscience in cancer immunotherapy and the necessary transferable skills. CanGoNano will provide an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary educational program, according to the EU Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training. This will put DCs in an advantageous position for job opportunities in both academia and industry.
Within the CANGONANO network, the Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR) is recruiting 1 Doctoral Candidate (DC) to carry out research in glyconanomaterials for the delivery of peptide antigens or mRNA in breast cancer models. The DC will be supervised by Prof. Carmen Alvarez-Dominguez at the Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR) and Prof. Nuria Gironés Pujol at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), offering to the candidate the opportunity to work at the forefront of glyconanotechnology to fill gaps in cancer immunotherapy, while benefiting from tailored training and international secondments across the consortium. The workplaces will be in Madrid and Logroño (Spain), and the DC will join the research groups MEDONLINE ( ) and CBMSO-UAM ( ).
Doctoral Candidate DC14
Project Title : Glyconanomaterials for the delivery of peptide antigens or mRNA in breast cancer models: formulation and anti-cancer efficacy
Project : This PhD project will focus on: 1) Characterization and transfection of HER2 breast cancer cell lines;
2)



Set up of the doses of breast-transfected cell lines, kinetics of tumour progression and immune responses in vivo;
3) Evaluation of GNM formulations (including or not adjuvants) and doses to activate immune organs in vivo;
4) Examine the capacityof GNM as breast cancer immunotherapies: prophylactic vs therapeutic effects;
5) Training in GNM assembly & formulation, anti-cancer immunotherapy, establishing breast cancer in mice, bionanotech, biointeractions.
Duration: 36 months, starting 15 February 2027
Planned Secondments :(1) CNRS (FR), C. Menard-Moyon, (II year, 1M), training on the synthesis of AA-NPs;
(2) EnGenes (AT), J. Mairhofer, (III year, 1M), training on expression of lectins.
Hold official bachelor (B.Sc.) degree, or equivalent, and master (M.Sc.) degree, or equivalent, ensuring that a total of, at least, 300 ECTS credits have been obtained in these two degrees
Master (M.Sc.) degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology or Biotechnology
Practical experience in immunological and cell biology techniques
Hold a valid EU certificate on Animal Handling (minimum level B)
Good level of English proficiency (understood, spoken and written)
Team spirit and pro-active attitude
Specific Requirements
The selected candidate must meet the following requirements:
Commit full-time to the research activity, unless authorization is granted by the European Commission for personal or family reasons.
Carry out exclusively the research activities related to the specified research program, and refrain from undertaking any teaching activities at the university.
Refrain from receiving any additional income beyond what is specified in the call.
Agree to sign all necessary agreements concerning intellectual property rights.
Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the regulations of the European Project.
Languages ENGLISH Level Good
Internal Application form(s) needed
ANNEX A CanGoNano_General-call-for-applications_Annex-A-2026 website 16Mar2026_1.Pdf
The salary of DC is structured as follows:
-Living allowance (gross amount): 3,833.56 €/month
-Mobility allowance:



710.00 €/ month
-Family allowance (if applicable): 660.00 €/ month
Eligibility criteria
The position is open to candidates of any nationality, provided they strictly fulfil the eligibility requirements established for the enrollment through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action- Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN). Equal opportunities policy without distinction on the grounds of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation will be applied. Please, refer to the section "Recruited Researchers" (page 122 and following) of the Horizon Europe Work Programme for MSCA-DN actions, available at the following link: particular, at the time of recruitment, applicants must comply with the following eligibility criteria:
Experience : Applicants must not be already in possession of a doctoral degree. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis, but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree, will not be considered eligible. Applicants must possess a five-years university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent).
Mobility rule : Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country where the research training activities will take place for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date.
Selection process
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews with multiple supervisors from the network (online or in-person). Good level of English proficiency (understood, spoken and written) will be considered. Candidates will be notified of the outcome via the website.
Additional comments
The start of the employment is foreseen on the15 February 2027, in accordance with the local regulations of the recruiting institution and in agreement with the local supervisors. Doctoral candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
Candidates must meet all admission requirements for the PhD programme at the recruiting institution. These requirements must be fulfilled at the start of the contract.
Candidates of all nationalities and genders are welcome to apply.
In line with MSCA requirements, candidates must be willing to undertake international mobility during the fellowship, which is a mandatory requirement and may

📌 Phd Position In The Msca-Dn “cangonano” - Glyconanomaterials For The Delivery Of Peptide Antigens Or (Madrid)
🏢 Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)
📍 Madrid