PhD Position: Translational Immunomics in Hematological Neoplasms Group

Cima Universidad de Navarra; Pamplona; Presencial; EUR 19.000 - 28.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

CIMA Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, invites applications for a PhD student to join the Translational Immunomics in Hematological Neoplasms Group.

The project focuses on translating genomics and flow cytometry research into clinical insights for plasma cell disorders, multiple myeloma and leukemias, with a strong emphasis on MRD, CTCs, and immune monitoring.

Formación

• Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences or a related field.
• Minimum average grade of 8.5/10 or equivalent.
• Master's degree providing access to PhD studies, either completed or expected in 2027.

Responsabilidades

• Identify the plasma cell clone responsible for dissemination, resistance, and relapse by studying CTCs and MRD.
• Identify extreme phenotypes: cure vs. resistance.
• Define the role of the immune system and the microenvironment in pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and acute leukemia, and their drug resistance.
• Preclinical evaluation of new anti-myeloma compounds and monitoring of clinical trials.
• Characterization of immune biology and response to immunotherapy in experimental models of multiple myeloma.

Conocimientos

Independent work

Collaborative team

English proficiency

Educación

Bachelor's degree in Biology/related field

Master's degree for PhD access

Herramientas

Flow cytometry

Genomics

Descripción del empleo

The Translational Immunomics in Hematological Neoplasms Group, led by Dr. Bruno Paiva at CIMA Universidad de Navarra (Pamplona, Spain), is looking for a highly motivated PhD student to join our team.

https://cima.cun.es/en/research/research-programs/research-programs-hematological-oncology/research-group-translational-immunomics-hematological-neoplasms

The translational model that governs our group is based on the hybrid nature of our flow cytometry laboratory, with its dual focus on diagnosis and research. First, we conduct research to improve the methods we use for the differential diagnosis, staging, and monitoring of patients with hematological malignancies. Second, our goal is to understand the biology of the tumor cells that we routinely detect in diagnostic settings (e.g., circulating tumor cells [CTCs], measurable residual disease [MRD], and immune monitoring).

Our laboratory is recognized for its leadership in translational research across the spectrum of monoclonal gammopathies. Our most notable scientific contributions are, as expected, in the clinical application of flow cytometry. Although multiple myeloma is the tumor we have studied most extensively (>150 publications in leading hematology journals over the past 10 years), we have also defined the clinical utility of flow cytometry in other malignancies, such as primary systemic amyloidosis (Paiva, Blood 2011; Paiva, Blood 2016; Puig, Leukemia 2019) and Waldenström macroglobulinemia (Paiva, Leukemia 2014; Paiva, Blood 2015).

In terms of innovative research in immunogenomics, within the field of multiple myeloma, we have contributed to advancing the field of clonal hematopoiesis (Maia, Blood 2020) and lymphopoiesis (Rodriguez, ASH 2020), monitoring of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) (Garces, J Clin Oncol 2022; Termini, Clin Cancer Res 2022), and the biology of clonal dissemination (Paiva, Blood 2013; Mishima, Cell Rep 2017; Garces, Leukemia 2020 [2]); measurable residual disease (MRD) monitoring (>15 publications in, for example, J Clin Oncol and Blood); and the biology of resistant clones (Paiva, Blood 2016; Goicoechea, Blood 2021), immune profiling (Paiva, Blood 2016 [2]; Botta, Blood Adv 2022; Termini, Clin Cancer Res 2022), and preclinical research in immunotherapy (Seckinger, Cancer Cell 2017; Moreno, Clin Cancer Res 2019).

In Waldenström macroglobulinemia, we were the first to identify its normal cellular counterpart (Paiva, Blood 2015) and to describe the presence of mutated MYD88 in normal lymphopoiesis in these patients (Rodríguez, Science Advances 2022). In light-chain amyloidosis, we pioneered the use of single-cell studies to identify unique transcriptional programs in this disease (Alameda, Blood 2021).

Much more important than our scientific output is its clinical impact. For example, our contributions to the study of solitary plasmacytoma (Paiva, Blood 2014) and MRD contributed, in part, to the subsequent development of new diagnostic criteria (Rajkumar, Lancet Oncol 2014) and response criteria (Kumar, Lancet Oncol 2016).

The Successful Candidate Will Work At The Intersection Of Translational Research Applied To Patients. Depending On The Candidate's Interests And Background, The PhD Project May Involve

• Identify the plasma cell clone responsible for dissemination, resistance, and relapse, by studying circulating tumor cells (CTC) and minimal residual disease (MRD).
• Identify extreme phenotypes: cure vs. resistance.
• To define the role of the immune system and the microenvironment in the pathogenesis of multiple myeloma and acute leukemia, and in their drug resistance.
• Preclinical evaluation of new anti-myeloma compounds and monitoring of clinical trials
• Characterization of immune biology and response to immunotherapy in experimental models of multiple myeloma

The candidate will join a highly collaborative and international research environment. The project combines advanced genomics and flow cytometry technologies with a clear translational objective, offering the opportunity to contribute to a field with potential clinical impact.

Recent Publications

• MRD dynamics predicts progression and reveals a vulnerable state for immunotherapy interception in multiple myeloma. Blood. 2026 Jul 24:blood.2026033878. doi: 10.1182/blood.202603387
• Idecabtagene vicleucel and endogenous T-cell phenotypes linked to progression-free survival in relapsed multiple myeloma. Hemasphere. 2026 Jul 2;10(7):e70423. doi: 10.1002/hem3.70423
• Immune biomarkers of increased infection risk in multiple myeloma. Blood. 2026 Apr 30;147(18):2081-2088. doi: 10.1182/blood.2025031744

Requirements

Essential requirements

• Bachelor's/University degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Pharmacy, Biomedical Sciences or a related field.
• Minimum average grade of 8.5/10 or equivalent. Candidates with grades less than 8.5 will not be accepted.

For those studies outside of Spain, we would need the equivalent marks through https://universidades.sede.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/Equivalencia_notas_medias/language/en

• Master's degree providing access to PhD studies, either completed or expected to be completed during 2027.
• Strong interest in taslational projects
• Good level of written and spoken English.
• Ability to work independently while being part of a collaborative team.

Desirable Qualifications

• Previous laboratory research experience.
• Experience with flow cytometry and genomics.
• Knowledge of bioinformatics/computational biology.
• Previous experience in an academic research environment.

We are particularly interested in candidates who are curious, creative, scientifically rigorous and motivated to develop their own ideas

What We Offer

• A PhD project at the forefront of genomics and flow citometry.
• A highly collaborative and international research environment.
• Opportunities to collaborate with leading international groups in the field.
• Participation in scientific meetings, conferences and international collaborations.
• The opportunity to develop an independent research profile and contribute to high-impact publications.
• A translational research environment within CIMA Universidad de Navarra, connecting fundamental research with biomedical applications.