pOrganisation/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 /h3pstrongImmune and molecular biomarkers in a clinical trial of probiotic therapy in multiple sclerosis: a translational approach /strong /ppVHIR is seeking an outstanding and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to apply for a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship and join the Clinical Neuroimmunology 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 strong12 to 24 months /strong. /ppMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system, characterised by demyelination and immune dysregulation. Emerging evidence highlights the role of gut microbiota as a key environmental factor influencing MS pathogenesis, through its interaction with the immune system. Dysbiosis has been consistently described in MS patients and is associated with pro-inflammatory immune responses. /ppPreclinical studies, including those performed by our group, demonstrate that probiotic administration can modulate immune responses, reduce neuroinflammation, and improve disease severity in experimental models. /ppHowever, the mechanisms underlying these effects in humans remain insufficiently understood, particularly at the level of strongimmunological and molecular biomarkers /strong,



which are critical for translating microbiota-based interventions into clinical practice. /ppstrongObjective /strong /ppThe overall aim of this project is to characterise the immunological and molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effects of probiotic administration in patients with MS. /ppSpecific objectives include: /pulliTo assess the impact of probiotic treatment on immune cell subsets. /liliTo quantify changes in serum biomarkers associated with neurodegeneration and inflammation. /liliTo evaluate metabolic biomarkers (short-chain fatty acids) linked to microbiota activity. /liliTo characterise changes in gut microbiota composition and explore its association with immune and molecular responses to treatment. /liliTo integrate these data with clinical and imaging outcomes to identify biomarkers of treatment response. /li /ulpstrongOur Group /strong /ppThe researcher will join the Clinical Neuroimmunology Group at VHIR/Cemcat, led by Carmen Espejo Ruiz, an experienced investigator in MS pathogenesis, immunology, and biomarker discovery. /ppThe group has strong expertise in: /pulliExperimental model of MS (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE)). /liliTranslational immunology and biomarker identification. /liliClinical trials in MS, with access to large patient cohorts and biobanked samples. /li /ulpThe project benefits from a highly collaborative ecosystem including: /pulliClinical Trials Unit at Cemcat. /liliVHIR technological platforms (flow cytometry, SIMOA, statistics unit, biobank). /liliExternal collaborations for microbiota sequencing and metabolomics. /li /ulpstrongMain responsibilities and duties: /strong /ppThe postdoctoral researcher will lead the laboratory-based biomarker characterisation within an ongoing randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in MS. /ppThe fellow will be responsible for: /pulliImmunophenotyping using multi-parameter flow cytometry. /liliQuantification of molecular biomarkers (SIMOA, ELLA). /liliIntegration and interpretation of biomarker data. /li /ulpMicrobiota analysis will be performed through external collaboration, allowing the fellow to focus on high-impact translational immunology and biomarker discovery. /ppThe project is embedded in a multidisciplinary environment combining clinical neurology,



immunology, and advanced biomarker platforms at VHIR. /pulliApplicants 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. /liliStrong background in immunology and translational research. /liliExcellent command of English (spoken and written). /liliExperience in neuroimmunology or multiple sclerosis research. /li /ulpstrongExperience and knowledge: /strong /ppstrongRequired: /strong /pulliApplicants must have a maximum of strong8 years of postdoctoral research experience /strong by the call deadline. This means candidates are generally eligible if they obtained their PhD strongon or after 10/09/2018 /strong (possible extensions may apply, e.g. parental leave or long-term illness). /liliHands-on experience in flow cytometry and immune profiling. /liliExperience in handling human biological samples (PBMCs, serum). /liliData analysis and interpretation skills. /liliExperience with SIMOA/ELLA or similar biomarker platforms. /liliExperience integrating multi-modal datasets (clinical + molecular). /li /ulh3Additional Information /h3pSelection process /ppstrongDeadline to apply: /strong /ppAdditional comments /ppemVHIR 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. /em /ppemInformation on Personal Data Protection: /embremData 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 /em em. DPO: /em em. More information can be found /ememhere /emem. /embremData Protection Authority: /ememAPDCAT /em /p #J-18808-Ljbffr

📌 VHIR-MSCA-.007_Postdoctoral Fellowship (Clinical Neuroimmunology) (España)
🏢 Fundacio Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron- Institut de recerca
📍 España