The
*Hepatology: Carcinogenesis and Liquid Biopsy*
team led by
Dr. Carmen Berasain at CIMA
, is seeking to hire a
PhD researcher
for the
SLUTAREG
project funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICIU) 2025 R&D; grant PID2025-168146OB-I00 to explore the SLU7–TAZ–AREG axis in liver cancer, from molecular mechanisms to novel therapies and biomarkers.

The PhD candidate will join the
SLUTAREG project
“Characterization of the therapeutic potential of the SLU7-TAZ-AREG axis in liver cancer (
SLUTAREG
),” focused on identifying novel molecular vulnerabilities and therapeutic opportunities in liver cancer, particularly hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. The project investigates the
SLU7–TAZ–AREG axis
, combining basic molecular research with preclinical and translational approaches to understand how alterations in
protein homeostasis
contribute to
tumor progression and immune evasion
.





The candidate will join our group with a large experience in the field of translational hepatology to investigate the molecular mechanisms by which the splicing factor
SLU7 regulates protein stability and activity
, as well as the functional consequences of this regulation for liver cancer development. The project will also explore
SLU7 and AREG as potential therapeutic targets
and evaluate their contribution to the tumor microenvironment and anti-tumor immune responses.

The PhD student will receive multidisciplinary training and will participate in:
- Molecular and cellular studies using human and mouse liver cancer models, gene silencing, gene expression, protein stability, signaling and functional assays.
- Studies using patient-derived bile organoids to investigate tumor biology and therapeutic responses in clinically relevant models.
- Preclinical liver cancer models to characterize the role of the SLU7–TAZ–AREG axis in tumor development and to evaluate novel therapeutic strategies.
- Development and evaluation of innovative approaches for RNA-based

📌 PhD Position in Translational Liver Cancer Research (Pamplona)
🏢 CIMA; Universidad de Navarra
📍 Pamplona