Predoctoral Researcher: Intercellular Cancer Communication

Vall d'Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR); Barcelona; Presencial; EUR 22.000 - 30.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Flexible working hours

23 days annual leave + 9 personal days

Meal vouchers

Health insurance

Transport assistance

Descripción de la vacante

Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) in Barcelona invites applications for a PhD thesis within the Intercellular Communication Research Line. The successful candidate will apply to the Amics del VHIR PhD Call 2026 and study how cancer cells communicate with surrounding stromal cells under therapeutic stress.

The project will employ HiBiT-based mitochondrial tracing, live-cell imaging, CRISPR models and tumour–stromal co-cultures to quantify mitochondrial transfer and its effects on

Formación

• Bachelor's and Master’s degrees with high academic standing.
• Proven English communication skills.
• Experience in molecular and cancer biology is preferred.

Responsabilidades

• 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.

Conocimientos

Molecular biology

Cell biology

Cancer biology

English proficiency

Educación

Bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Biochemistry, Biotechnology or related field

Master’s degree enabling PhD access (Amics del VHIR Call 2026)

GPA 8.5/10 in Bachelor and Master

Herramientas

CRISPR/Cas9

HiBiT platform

Live-cell imaging

3D tumour–stromal co-cultures

Fluorescence microscopy

Descripción del empleo

Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) in Barcelona invites applications for a PhD thesis within the Intercellular Communication Research Line. The successful candidate will apply to the Amics del VHIR PhD Call 2026 and study how cancer cells communicate with surrounding stromal cells under therapeutic stress.

The project will employ HiBiT-based mitochondrial tracing, live-cell imaging, CRISPR models and tumour–stromal co-cultures to quantify mitochondrial transfer and its effects on