The Translational Molecular Pathology Laboratory at
the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) is seeking a highly
motivated candidate to join our team and undertake a PhD thesis
within the Intercellular Communication Research Line. The
successful candidate will apply to the Amics del VHIR PhD Call 2026
and, if awarded the fellowship, will investigate how cancer cells
communicate with surrounding stromal cells to adapt to therapeutic
stress. The project will focus on the emerging phenomenon of
intercellular mitochondrial transfer and its regulation by Connexin
43 (Cx43), a major mediator of cell-cell communication in cancer.
The project will use quantitative mitochondrial-tracing approaches,
including a recently established HiBiT-based platform, live-cell
imaging, CRISPR-engineered cancer models and tumour–stromal
co-culture systems to determine how mitochondrial exchange affects
tumour-cell metabolism, stress adaptation and chemotherapy
response. The work will initially exploit well-established breast
cancer models, with opportunities to investigate whether the
mechanisms identified are conserved in other tumour types,
including lung and pancreatic cancer. Main responsibilities and
duties: Perform molecular and cellular biology experiments using
cancer and stromal cell models, including CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic
approaches to investigate Cx43-dependent mechanisms. Establish and
characterise tumour–stromal co-culture and 3D models. Apply
HiBiT-based and fluorescence-based mitochondrial-tracing
approaches, together with live-cell and confocal imaging, to
quantify intercellular mitochondrial transfer. Investigate the
relationship between mitochondrial transfer, cellular stress
responses and chemotherapy resistance, and critically analyse and
interpret the resulting experimental data. Present research
findings at group meetings, scientific conferences and other
scientific events. Contribute to the preparation of scientific
manuscripts and research publications. Educat