ph3Identification and Genetic Engineering of Cytotoxic Tissue NK Cells for Cellular Therapy /h3 pThe Infectious Diseases Research Group at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Barcelona, is seeking an outstanding postdoctoral researcher interested in developing competitive applications for the next Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA‑PF). /p h3Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA‑PF) /h3 pThe 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. The 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. /p pThe 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. /p pFull eligibility details: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026. /p h3Background /h3 pThe project is based on the emerging role of tissue‑resident and tissue‑adapted immune cells in immune surveillance, chronic inflammation, viral persistence and cancer control. Among them, Natural Killer (NK) cells are promising candidates for immunotherapy due to their intrinsic cytotoxic activity against infected and transformed cells. However, current NK‑cell therapies mainly rely on peripheral blood‑derived NK cells, which often show limited persistence and tissue functionality. Recent advances in tissue immunology and single‑cell technologies have revealed extensive heterogeneity among human tissue NK‑cell populations, including subsets with enhanced cytotoxicity, adaptive‑like features and tissue‑residency programs. Nevertheless, their functional characterisation and therapeutic exploitation remain poorly understood. /p pOur laboratory combines human tissue models with advanced immunological and molecular approaches to identify and characterise tissue‑associated NK‑cell subsets with potent effector functions. The research integrates high‑dimensional phenotyping, functional assays, ex‑vivo tissue explants and genetic engineering strategies,



including CRISPR‑based approaches, to develop next‑generation NK‑cell therapies for cancer and infectious diseases. /p h3Objective /h3 ul liTo identify and characterise human tissue‑associated NK‑cell subsets with enhanced cytotoxic and persistence capacities using advanced immunophenotyping, single‑cell analyses and functional tissue models. /li liTo define the molecular and functional programs underlying tissue adaptation and antitumor/antiviral activity of NK cells within human tissue microenvironments. /li liTo develop and evaluate genetically engineered NK‑cell products with improved therapeutic potential for next‑generation cellular immunotherapy. /li /ul h3Main responsibilities and duties /h3 ul liThe candidate will work at the interface of tissue immunology, translational immunotherapy and cell engineering within a highly collaborative research environment. /li liThe candidate will benefit from a highly collaborative international environment and access to state‑of‑the‑art core facilities, including flow cytometry, genomics, imaging and preclinical platforms. /li /ul h3Education and qualifications /h3 pbRequired: /b /p ul liApplicants must hold a PhD degree or have successfully defended their thesis before the call deadline (09/09/2026). /li liApplicants 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. /li liFluency in English (spoken and written). /li /ul h3Experience and knowledge /h3 pbRequired: /b /p ul liApplicants must have a maximum of 8 years of postdoctoral research experience by the call deadline. This means candidates are generally eligible if they obtained their PhD on or after 10/09/2018 (possible extensions may apply, e.g. parental leave or long‑term illness). /li liAbility to work independently and collaboratively within an international multidisciplinary environment. /li /ul pbDesirable: /b /p ul liExperience in immunology, cellular therapy, tissue immunology and/or NK‑cell biology. /li liHands‑on experience with flow cytometry,



immune functional assays and mammalian cell culture. /li liExperience in molecular biology and/or genetic engineering techniques (e.g. CRISPR, viral transduction, gene editing approaches) will be highly valued. /li liExperience working with human samples and translational research models. /li /ul h3What can we offer? /h3 ul liIncorporation into the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), a public sector institution that promotes and develops biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), the largest hospital in Barcelona and the largest within the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS). /li liA dynamic scientific environment of excellence, where cutting‑edge biomedical projects are continuously developed. /li liContinuous learning and career development pathways. /li liHealthy offering– “Feel Good, Feel VHIR”: VHIR’s wellbeing programme offers a variety of activities to help staff thrive—physically, mentally, and socially. Through four pillars – Feel Well, Feel Connected, Feel Empowered, Feel Welcomed – it fosters health, growth, and community. /li liInternational mobility support (Welcome Services): we aim to make your arrival in Barcelona smooth and pleasant by providing city information, guidance on required procedures, access to the International Welcome Desk, family support and assistance with finding accommodation. /li /ul h3Deadline to apply /h3 h3Equality and Diversity /h3 pVHIR 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. /p h3Personal Data Protection /h3 pData 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. Data Protection Authority: APDCAT. /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 VHIR-MSCA-.014_Postdoctoral Fellowship (Infectious Diseases) (Barcelona)
🏢 Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) - Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca
📍 Barcelona