R2-I Recognised Researcher

Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron - Institut de Recerca (VHIR); Barcelona; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

VHIR affiliation

Career development

Flexible hours

Annual leave

Job summary

The Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) in Barcelona invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher (R2) who has completed their PhD and seeks to advance their career in pediatric neuro-oncology.

The role focuses on high-quality research, mentorship, and collaboration, with a structured training path and potential for scientific independence. Starting January 2027; salary aligned with the collective agreement.

Qualifications

• Completed PhD Degree in the corresponding field.
• Official university qualification from an EHEA country with 300 ECTS total, 60 at master’s level.
• Fluency in English.
• Previous experience in neuro-oncology research (≥3 years).

Responsibilities

• Conduct high-quality research aligned with project and lab objectives.
• Collaborate with senior researchers to design experiments and contribute to publications and grant proposals.
• Present findings within the team and at conferences or seminars.
• Provide guidance to junior researchers and supervise students when applicable.
• Engage in professional development and IP/technology transfer activities.

Skills

English fluency

Research skills

Team mentoring

Data management

Analytical thinking

Scientific dissemination

Education

PhD completed

European Higher Education Area degree (300 ECTS)

Job description

Pediatric tumors of the nervous system are the most common solid malignant neoplasms of childhood cancer and the leading cause of cancer-related death in children. The main objective of the Laboratory of Neural Tumors is to develop and implement new therapies to improve the outcome of pediatric cancer patients both, in terms of efficacy but also safety, to reduce the long-term sequalae of the current treatments. In particular, the laboratory focus on pediatric solid tumors such as Neuroblastoma, a pediatric solid tumor of the peripheral nervous system, but also on highly aggressive tumors of the central nervous system (e.g. ependymoma, high-grade gliomas or medulloblastoma among others)

More info about our research lines can be found at: http://en.vhir.org/portal1/grup-lines2.asp?s=recerca&contentid=186750&idrefer=186749

https://sites.google.com/view/neural-tumors-lab/home

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher (R2) who has completed their PhD and is looking to further develop their research career within a structured and supportive environment.

This role offers a defined period of advanced, mentored training, providing the opportunity to deepen expertise, contribute to high-quality research projects, and strengthen scientific independence.

The position is fully focused on research activities, allowing you to dedicate your time to scientific excellence and career progression within a leading research centre.

Main responsibilities and duties:

• Conduct high‑quality research aligned with project and lab objectives, including rigorous data collection, analysis, and literature review
• Collaborate with senior researchers in designing experiments, developing research protocols, and contributing to publications, reports, and grant proposals
• Present research findings within the team and at scientific conferences or seminars
• Provide guidance to junior researchers or graduate students and supervise Bachelor’s and Master’s students when applicable
• Engage in continuous professional development and work with the technology transfer office to identify potential inventions and understand IP processes.

Education and qualifications:

Required:

• Completed PhD Degree in the corresponding field.
• Completed official university qualification from a country of the European Higher Education Area with a minimum of 300 ECTS of official university studies, of which, at least 60, at master’s level, which allow them to access doctoral studies.
• Fluency in English
• Previous experience in research in neuro-oncology (at least 3 years)

Desirable:

• Animal experimentation course certificate.
• Fluency in Catalan and/or Spanish

Experience and knowledge:

Required:

Experience:

• Having conducted the PhD (including wet/dry-lab related work) work for at least 3 years as R1.
• Previous research experience in neuro-oncology
• High motivation for an academic research career

Publications:

• At least 1 first-author original publication in JCR-indexed peer-reviewed journals.

Competences:

• Research Expertise: Solid disciplinary knowledge and ability to contribute to high-quality research activities
• Research data management: Experience organising and managing research data following FAIR principles
• Teamwork and mentoring: Ability to work collaboratively and support junior researchers or students
• Analytical thinking: Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills applied to research challenges
• Scientific dissemination: Experience contributing to publications and research dissemination activities

Desirable:

Funding:

• Experience in contributing to the preparation of competitive funding applications such as postdoctoral fellowships and research grant applications, among others

Supervision and Mentoring

• Experience in supervising or mentoring undergraduate students (e.g. research projects or final degree projects)

• Experience attending and presenting results in scientific congresses and preparing manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals
• Engagement in science communication or outreach activities

Intellectual Property Protection and Knowledge Transfer

• Familiarity with intellectual property protection processes and knowledge transfer activities
• Experience attending or participating in workshops on intellectual property and technology transfer

Training and Professional Development

• Commitment to continuous professional development, including participation in training activities aligned with the relevant professional or research training pathways
• Short-term stays in other national or international institutions will be highly valued

Public Awareness:

• Engagement in public awareness activities is encouraged

Labour conditions:

• Working hours: Full-time
• Starting date: January 2027
• Gross annual salary: Remuneration will be determined by experience, skills and responsibilities and aligned with the Collective Agreement pay scale.
• Contract type: Technical and scientific activities contract linked to project activities

What can we offer?

• Incorporation into the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), a public sector institution that promotes and develops biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), the largest hospital in Barcelona and the largest within the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS).
• A dynamic scientific environment of excellence, where cutting-edge biomedical projects are continuously developed.
• Continuous learning and career development pathways.
• Flexible working hours.
• 23 days of annual leave plus 9 personal days.
• Flexible remuneration programme, including meal vouchers, health insurance, transport and more.
• Corporate benefits platform, offering significant discounts on travel, culture, technology, gastronomy, sports and more.
• Healthy offering– “Feel Good, Feel VHIR”: VHIR’s wellbeing programme offers a variety of activities to help staff thrive—physically, mentally, and socially. Through four pillars—Feel Well, Feel Connected, Feel Empowered, Feel Welcomed—it fosters health, growth, and community.
• International mobility support (Welcome Services): we aim to make your arrival in Barcelona smooth and pleasant by providing city information, guidance on required procedures, access to the International Welcome Desk, family support and assistance with finding accommodation.

Deadline to apply: 26-11-2026

VHIR embraces Equality and Diversity. As reflected in our values we work toward ensuring inclusion and equal opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training, and management for all staff within the organisation, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, functional diversity or ethnicity.

Information on Personal Data Protection:
Data Controller: Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca -VHIR-. Purpose: Personnel selection. Legal Basis: Your consent. Data retention period: One year. If you are selected, as long as the employment relationship is in force and legal responsibilities may arise. Data sharing: Does not occur, except for communications necessary to fulfill the purpose and those required by law to public and private bodies. Rights: You can access, rectify, delete, object to, and limit the processing of data, as well as request data portability where applicable, by contacting [e-mail]. More information can be found here: https://vhir.vallhebron.com/en/personal-data-protection
Data Protection Authority: APDCAT