2026-038-01 Predoctoral Position - PhD

The Vall d´Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) Seeks a “ Predoctoral Position (PhD Student) – CAIMI Synergy Grant ”

Reference: 2026-038-01

Application deadline: 26/06/2026

Number of vacancies: 1 (fully funded PhD position for 3 years)

The project:

The Cell Engineering and Hematologic Immunotherapy Group at VHIO (Barcelona), led by Dr. Pere Barba, is seeking an outstanding PhD candidate to join our lab. The candidate will join an ambitious translational and multidisciplinary research project aimed at understanding why some CAR T-cell therapies achieve durable responses while others fail, although he or she will be involved in other currently on-going projects in the lab.

The successful candidate will work at the interface of immunology, genomics, and cell engineering, applying state-of-the-art technologies including flow cytometry-based cell sorting, deep whole-exome sequencing, CRISPR-based genome engineering, and functional characterization of engineered T cells.

The group:

The successful candidate will join the Cell Engineering and Hematologic Immunotherapy Group within the Clinical Research Division at VHIO in Barcelona. Our group develops next-generation cellular immunotherapies for hematologic malignancies through a highly integrated clinical-translational research program. We combine expertise in hematology, synthetic biology, genome engineering, and immunotherapy to address key challenges limiting current CAR T-cell therapies, including disease relapse, antigen escape, limited persistence, and treatment-related toxicities.

The group is embedded within the Vall d'Hebron University Hospital and Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology, providing a unique translational environment with direct access to CAR T-cell clinical programs, longitudinal patient samples, and a large biobank of CAR T-treated patients. This close integration between laboratory research and clinical practice enables the rapid translation of scientific discoveries into novel therapeutic approaches for patients with hematologic cancers.

Our mission is to develop safer, more effective, and more durable cellular immunotherapies that improve outcomes for patients with hematologic malignancies.More information about the group can be found here:

Required Qualifications:

Essential

• Bachelor's and/or Master's degree in Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, or a related discipline

• Strong interest in immunology, cancer research, and cellular therapies

• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team

• Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)

Desirable

• Previous research experience in immunology, molecular biology, cell culture, genomics, or related fields

• Experience with flow cytometry

• Experience with primary cell culture and/or T-cell biology

• Experience with CRISPR-based technologies

• Basic programming skills in R and/or Python

• Experience with NGS data analysis or bioinformatics

Training Opportunities The successful candidate will receive interdisciplinary training in:

• Cellular immunotherapy and CAR T-cell biology

• CRISPR-based genome engineering

• Flow and spectral cytometry

• High-throughput genomics and sequencing technologies

• Functional characterization of engineered immune cells

• Translational cancer research

• Scientific communication and grant writing

The candidate will work in a highly collaborative environment alongside clinicians, immunologists, computational biologists, and bioinformaticians.

Additional information:

We offer:

• The possibility of developing your professional career in a competitive environment.

• To be part of a center that is constantly developing, pursuing excellence in research and collaborating with leading teams.

• ‍We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment, and welcome all people equally, regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation.

• We care about our environment and understand the importance of sustainability. We have the GreenVhio program, which you can be a part of.

Conditions:

• Fully funded PhD position for 3-years within the CAIMI Synergy Grant

• ️Full-time position, 37.5 hours per week.

• Salary according to qualifications and experience following VHIO pay scales.

• Flexible remuneration program (includes restaurant vouchers/cards, transport, medical insurance, and “baby daycare” voucher).

• ⏰Flexible working hours and measures to balance work, family, and personal life, and promote gender equality, as established in the VHIO collective agreement.

• ️24 days of holidays and 6 personal days.

• Fully subsidized Catalan, Spanish, or English courses.

• ‍➡️Take advantage of doing sports at great prices with Urban Sports Club .

• You’ll have access to weekly physiotherapy sessions at the office, offered at a reduced price for the team.

Vall d’Hebron Institute Oncology (VHIO) endorses the Requirements and Principles of the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers promoted by the European Commission and follows Equal Opportunities policies.

On 10th April 2018 VHIO was awarded the “HR Excellence in Research” logo. Our Institute was consequently granted permission to use the HR Excellence in Research Award logo as demonstration of its stimulating and favourable work environment in line with the Charter & Code.