MSCA-PF: Joint application at the University of Granada. Department of Physiology.Professor Guillermo Sanchez-Delgado, from the Department of Physiology at the University of Granada, welcomes postdoctoral candidates interested in applying for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) in 2026 at this University. Please note that applicants must comply with the Mobility Rule (for more information about the 2026 call, please consult this link ).Brief description of the institution:The University of Granada (UGR), founded in 1531, is one of the largest and most important universities in Spain. With more than 57,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students and almost 7,000 members of staff, the UGR offers 97 undergraduate degrees, 157 master’s degrees (7 of which are double degrees) and 28 doctoral programmes via its 124 departments and nearly 50 centers. Accordingly, the UGR offers one of the most extensive and diverse ranges of higher education programmes in Spain.The UGR has been awarded with the Human Resources Excellence in Research (HRS4 R), which reflects the institution’s commitment to continuously improve its human resource policies in line with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The UGR is also internationally renowned for its excellence in diverse research fields and ranked among the top Spanish universities in a variety of ranking criteria, such as national R&D; projects, fellowships awarded, publications, and international funding.The UGR is one of the few Spanish Universities listed in the Shanghai Top 500 ranking - Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). The 2025 edition of the ARWU places the UGR in 301-400th position in the world and as the 3-8 highest ranked University in Spain, reaffirming its position as an institution at the forefront of national and international research. From the perspective of specialist areas in the ARWU rankings, the UGR is outstanding in Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence and Dentistry & Oral Sciences (ranked between 51th-75th position), Computer Science & Engineering, Education and Hospitality & Tourism Management (between 76-100th position),



and in the areas of Food Science & Technology and Business Administration (between 101-150th position). A little lower in the ranking, the UGR also stands out in the areas of Earth Sciences, Law, Management, Nursing, Psychology and Statistics, in which the UGR is positioned in the 151-200th position.Internationally, the University of Granada is firmly committed to its participation in the calls of the Framework Programme of the European Union. For the duration of the previous Framework Programme, Horizon 2020, the UGR obtained a total of 124 projects with a total funding of more than €30 million. For the current Framework Programme, Horizon Europe, the UGR has obtained 136 projects, so far, with a total funding of more than €38 million.Brief description of the Centre/Research Group:The Clinical and Exercise Physiology research group (EFFECTS) has over three decades of experience in research for advancing the understanding of how exercise and nutrition act as preventive and therapeutic strategies against metabolic, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases, as well as in aging. The group integrates clinical, experimental, and molecular physiology to bridge basic science and healthcare applications. Currently, it comprises a young, dynamic, multidisciplinary team from medicine, nutrition, biomedicine, biology, nursing, and sport sciences at the University of Granada.Within the group, the Energy Balance Physiology Laboratory aims to decipher the physiological regulation of human energy balance and its implications for health. Energy balance is governed by complex mechanisms that regulate both total energy and macronutrient use, varying across levels of energy flux. Despite this regulation, disruptions in these systems underlie obesity and its complications.The laboratory’s research program is structured around three priorities: (1)



identifying physiological and psychobiological mechanisms that counteract sustained perturbations in energy balance;
(2) elucidating how short-term fluctuations in nutrient balance contribute to insulin resistance and ectopic fat accumulation, focusing on metabolic flexibility;
and (3) designing and evaluating interventions—mainly lifestyle-based, but also pharmacological and surgical—to prevent and treat obesity by translating mechanistic insights into practice.The MSCA-PF applicant will be embarked on a research line focused on investigating the physiological adaptations to caloric restriction and the challenge of weight regain in obesity. Although caloric restriction is effective for inducing weight loss, most individuals regain a substantial proportion of the lost weight, highlighting the need to better understand the mechanisms driving this process.This research aims to characterize the complex physiological, metabolic, and behavioral responses that emerge during the reduced-weight state and promote body weight recovery. A central aspect is the role of brown adipose tissue in adaptive thermogenesis, together with the broader regulation of energy expenditure following weight loss. In particular, reductions in energy expenditure and alterations in its components are investigated as key contributors to the biological drive toward weight regain.Additional research focuses on postprandial metabolism and its influence on nutrient partitioning, as well as on exercise-related factors, including energy efficiency during physical activity, as potential predictors of weight regain. The potential of time-restricted eating (TRE) as a strategy to improve long‑term weight loss maintenance is also being evaluated. Furthermore, ongoing work examines the physiological and metabolic consequences of discontinuing GLP-1 receptor agonist treatments.While most studies within this line are conducted in humans, complementary experimental work in rodent models is ongoing and planned to further elucidate underlying mechanisms. Behavioral and psychobiological factors are also integrated to provide a comprehensive understanding of the drivers of weight regain, ultimately informing more effective and personalized interventions for obesity management.Research Area:Life Sciences (LIFE)

📌 Msca-Pf: Joint Application At The University Of Granada. Department Of Physiology. (Madrid)
🏢 International Research Projects Office
📍 Madrid