Precision modelling of FHHNC using patient-derived
kidney organoids for mechanistic and therapeutic discovery VHIR is
seeking an outstanding and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher
to apply for a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship and
join the Kidney Pathophysiology Research Group. 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 Familial hypomagnesemia with
hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC) is a devastating
ultra-rare renal tubulopathy caused by loss-of-function mutations
in CLDN16 and CLDN19. The disease leads to severe magnesium and
calcium wasting, nephrocalcinosis, and progressive chronic kidney
disease, often culminating in renal failure at a young age.
Additionally, patients carrying CLDN19 mutations develop
early-onset ocular defects, causing lifelong visual impairment.
Despite its severity, no disease-modifying therapies or specific
prognostic biomarkers are currently available. A striking feature
of FHHNC is its marked phenotypic variability, even among siblings
carrying identical mutations, particularly in Sout