Inducing CD8+T cell Tissue Resident Phenotypes The
Mucosal Immunology against Infection (MIM), 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). Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
– Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) The 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.
The 2026 call closes on 09/09/2026 (17:00 Brussels time). For
candidates applying to a European Postdoctoral Fellowship, the
fellowship duration is from 12 to 24 months . Full eligibility
details: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 Background CD8⁺
resident memory T cells ( CD8+TRM ) permanently reside within
tissues, where they continuously survey the local microenvironment
and provide rapid protection against invading pathogens and
malignant cells. Beyond their effector functions, CD8+TRM play key
roles in maintaining tissue immune homeostasis. The differentiation
of memory precursors into CD8+TRM is shaped by instructive cues
derived from both secondary lymphoid organs and peripheral tissue
niches. A detailed understanding of the mechanisms governing
CD8+TRM development, establishment, and regulation in mucosal
tissues will be critical to harnessing these cells for the
elimination of persistent antigens and for enhancing
vaccine-induced immune responses. Objective The primary objective
of this proposal is to identify mechanisms that are key for
ultimately inducing a CD8+TRM response to migrate and establish for
long-term protection in multiple peripheral tissues and mucosa.
Understanding how to best engage innate immunity at mucosal sites
and how induce long-term CD8+TRM in these sites will be key for
adjuvant and vaccine formulation or to potentiate these responses
to eliminate persistent antigens located in these tissues. Our
Group The Mucosal Immunology against Infection (MIM), is led by Dr.
Meritxell Genescà, a senior researcher at the Infectious Disease
dept. of the Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR). The main
lines of research are: Tissue HIV reservoir and new elimination




strategies STI and co-infections Adjuvants and biomarkers of
mucosal immunity Tissue explant models to study host-pathogen
interactions and immunity. Main responsibilities and duties:
Conduct high‑quality research aligned with project and lab
objectives, including rigorous data collection, analysis, and
literature review. Collaborate with senior researchers in designing
experiments, developing research protocols, and contributing to
publications, reports, and grant proposals. Present research
findings within the team and at scientific conferences or seminars.
Provide guidance to junior researchers or graduate students and
supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students when applicable. Engage
in continuous professional development and work with the technology
transfer office to identify potential inventions and understand IP
processes. Education and qualifications: Required: Applicants must
hold a PhD degree or have successfully defended their thesis before
the call deadline (09/09/2026) Applicants 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.
Solid academic training in cellular and molecular immunology
Fluency in English (spoken and written) Desirable: PhD with a
strong focus on tissue immunity, mucosal immunology, host-pathogen
interactions, or infectious diseases Prior exposure to
translational or clinically oriented research environments
Competitive publication record appropriate to career stage
Experience and knowledge: Required: Applicants 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). Hands‑on
experience with immunological techniques (e.g. flow cytometry,
multiparametric phenotyping, cell culture, functional immune
assays) Experience working with primary human samples and/or tissue
material Strong experimental design, data analysis, and
interpretation skills Ability to work independently while
contributing effectively to a collaborative research environment
Motivation to conduct rigorous, hypothesis‑driven research at the
interface of basic and translational science Good analytical,




writing and communicating skills. Desirable: Experience
collaborating with clinicians or working within multidisciplinary
consortia Interest in mentoring students and contributing to lab
and institutional scientific activities Knowledge of infectious
diseases, viral immunology, or co‑infection biology Experience in
data analyses, bioinformatics and statistics Working conditions,
remuneration, contract type and start date will be established
according to the applicable MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship conditions
and VHIR regulations. What can we offer? Incorporation 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) . A dynamic scientific
environment of excellence , where cutting-edge biomedical projects
are continuously developed. Continuous learning and career
development pathways . Healthy 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. International 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. Deadline to apply: 31-07-2026 VHIR 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. Information on Personal Data Protection: 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 [email protected] . DPO: [email protected] . More
information can be found here . Data Protection Authority:
APDCAT

📌 VHIR-MSCA-.013_Postdoctoral Fellowship (MucosalImmunology against Infection) (Cataluña)
🏢 VHIR
📍 Cataluña