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 /p h3Offer Description /h3 pbFunctional validation of genetic variants in paediatric inborn errors of immunity /b /p pThe Infection and Immunity in Paediatric Patients 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 Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF). /p 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. /p pThe 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 pNext-generation sequencing has improved the diagnosis of inborn errors of immunity (IEI), but it has also created a growing bottleneck: candidate variants and variants of uncertain significance (VUS) that cannot be translated into diagnosis, counselling or targeted treatment without functional evidence. This is especially relevant in children with severe infection susceptibility, immune dysregulation, cytopenias, autoinflammation, combined immunodeficiency or complex syndromic presentations. /p pThe project will build on the pediatric IEI programme, the Advanced Immunology Testing Laboratory and the joint laboratory activity established between the Infection and Immunity in Pediatric Patients Research Group (I2P2-RG) and the Translational Immunology at VHIR. It will combine deep clinical phenotyping, advanced immunophenotyping, primary human cell assays, engineered cellular systems and selected in vivo models to move from genomic suspicion to experimentally supported pathogenicity. /p pbObjective /b /p p• Establish a structured VUS validation pipeline integrating phenotype, segregation, genomic/structural variant analysis,



transcript-level evidence, immune profiling and ACMG/AMP-oriented interpretation. /p p• Develop patient-derived functional assays using PBMCs, lymphocyte subsets, neutrophils and/or fibroblasts, with readouts adapted to the suspected pathway. /p p• Interrogate priority pathways relevant to IEI, including JAK/STAT, NF-kB, PI3K-AKT/mTOR, lymphocyte activation, antibody deficiency and oxidative burst/host-defence mechanisms. /p p• Generate complementary human models, including stimulated primary cells, immortalised or CRISPR-edited cell systems, rescue/overexpression experiments and multi-omics readouts where appropriate. /p p• Use selected animal or preclinical models, according to biological plausibility and feasibility, to assess immune development, infection susceptibility or inflammatory phenotypes in vivo. /p p• Translate validated results into variant reclassification, genotype-phenotype refinement, diagnostic reporting and precision therapeutic decisions for children with IEI. /p pbThe Group /b /p pResearch Group, led by Dr Pere Soler-Palacín, focuses on paediatric infectious diseases and immunodeficiencies, with a strong translational orientation from bedside phenotyping to laboratory validation and personalised management. The group studies congenital errors of immunity, severe and unusual infections, immune dysregulation, biomarkers, targeted therapies and diagnostic innovation. /p pThe group coordinates an Advanced Immunology Testing Laboratory and works in a shared laboratory ecosystem with the Translational Immunology group at VHIR. This setting provides access to well-characterised paediatric IEI cohorts, clinical samples, immunophenotyping platforms, molecular genetics, bioinformatics, biobank resources, animal facilities and preclinical/functional validation support. In the last year, the group reported 48 publications, 72.9% in Q1 journals, 140 citations, 12 ongoing projects and 16 active clinical trials. /p pbMain responsibilities and duties: /b /p ul liCollaborate with the Translational Immunology group, creating a joint human immunology/genetics laboratory setting for IEI variant prioritisation and functional validation Methodological publications, validated reusable code or data models, and a roadmap for clinically safe deployment of IEI screening tools. /li liFocus on primary immune-cell assays, advanced flow cytometry and phospho-flow, cytokine and Luminex assays, ELISA, Western blotting, transcript/cDNA analysis, cell culture, genome editing,



structural variant interpretation or animal/preclinical modelling. /li liValidate functional workflows, mechanistic studies of selected genes or pathways, publications linking genotype to immune phenotype, and clinically actionable evidence for diagnosis and treatment. /li 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 liPrevious work in IEI/primary immunodeficiencies, immune dysregulation, autoinflammation, host-pathogen susceptibility, clinical immunology, rare disease genetics or functional genomics. /li /ul pbExperience and knowledge: /b /p pbRequired: /b /p ul liApplicants 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). /li liCell culture and cell isolation /li liAdvanced flow cytometry and panel design /li liData analysis /li liCapacity to work across clinical and laboratory teams. /li liWestern blotting, ELISA, Luminex/multiplex assays, phospho-flow, cytokine stimulation assays, lymphocyte proliferation, neutrophil oxidative burst, qPCR/RT-qPCR or cDNA analysis, CRISPR/Cas9 or other genome editing, animal models, biobanking, anonymised patient databases and ACMG/AMP variant interpretation. /li /ul h3Additional Information /h3 pSelection process /p pbDeadline to apply: /b /p pAdditional comments /p 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 pInformation 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 . Data Protection Authority: APDCAT /p /p #J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 VHIR-MSCA-.016_Postdoctoral Fellowship (Infection and Immunity in Paediatric Patients) (España)
🏢 Fundacio Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron- Institut de recerca
📍 España