Identification and Genetic Engineering of Cytotoxic
Tissue NK Cells for Cellular Therapy The 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 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 The 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. Our 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. Objective To 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. To define the
molecular and functional programs underlying tissue adaptation and
antitumor/antiviral activity of NK cells within human tissue
microenvironments. To develop and evaluate genetically engineered
NK-cell products with improved therapeutic potential for
next-generation cellular immunotherapy. Main responsibilities and
duties: The candidate will work at the interface of tissue
immunology, translational immunotherapy and cell engineering within
a highly collaborative research environment The 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. 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. Fluency in English
(spoken and written) 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).
Ability to work independently and collaboratively within an
international multidisciplinary environment. Desirable: Experience
in immunology, cellular therapy, tissue immunology and/or NK-cell
biology. Hands-on experience with flow cytometry, immune functional
assays and mammalian cell culture. Experience in molecular biology
and/or genetic engineering techniques (e.g. CRISPR, viral
transduction, gene editing approaches) will be highly valued.




Experience working with human samples and translational research
models 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-.014_Postdoctoral Fellowship (InfectiousDiseases) (Cataluña)
🏢 VHIR
📍 Cataluña