PHD Student - Endometrial Cancer Research group

REF: 25-126_SS_DL

About the research group

Are you interested in biomedical research? We are always looking for talented students to work on elucidating mechanisms of cancer progression and advancing personalized treatments. In particular, we are a young and vibrant team actively focused on the investigation of gynecological tumors. The Gynecologic Cancer group at IDIBELL is actively focused on the identification of genes (coding and non-coding) that are essential for the development and progression of gynecological malignancies (mainly, but not exclusively, endometrial cancer) to ultimately discover novel therapeutic avenues to implement precision medicine in this field. In order to achieve this our group is engaged in multiple projects covering an array of techniques at both in vitro and in vivo level (CRISPR whole genome screenings, RNA_sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, patient-derived orthoxenografts, etc) and focusing on several key major cellular processes such as autophagy. For more information, please visit www.llobetnavaslab.org.

About the role

Future candidates will be expected to submit a detailed curriculum vitae that includes, among other elements, the names and contact details of potential academic or professional references, complete academic records including bachelor’s degree grades, and a description of previous laboratory experience highlighting relevant technical skills and model systems used. Additional valuable information includes a list of scientific publications or submitted manuscripts, participation in seminars, workshops, and conferences (specifying any oral or poster presentations), as well as any international training experiences or research stays. A full list of suggested items is provided below in the "Job Requirements" section.
The successful candidate will join an active and collaborative research environment to work on a project centered on womb (endometrial) cancer, with a strong emphasis on immuno-oncology and therapy resistance. Specifically, the project aims to dissect the role of epigenetic intratumor heterogeneity in modulating immune infiltration and shaping the tumor’s response to immunotherapy. A particular focus will be placed on a prioritized set of epigenetically regulated immune modulators -identified through multi-regional methylation profiling of endometrial tumors- and their mechanistic contribution to tumor-immune interactions. The candidate will employ a range of in vitro and in vivo models, including genetically engineered cell lines, humanized mouse models, and syngeneic systems, to validate candidate genes and investigate their relevance in immunotherapeutic contexts. We are seeking a highly motivated individual who can engage with the project semi-autonomously, demonstrate critical thinking in experimental design and data interpretation, and contribute to other ongoing side-projects within the laboratory.

Job requirements

Professional experience

• Good adequacy to our group research interests such as previous experience in autophagy/cancer-related work, advanced training courses (e.g., methods of data analysis and statistics, animal experimentation license, etc), participation in scientific programs, etc

Education and training

• Have completed or currently cursing a Master (TFM) in cancer-related subjects
  Please include in your application your Bachelor's degree certificate along with the official transcript of records showing your grades. If your degree was obtained outside of Spain, you must also provide the declaration of equivalence of average grade, issued by the Spanish Ministry of Universities. This document can be obtained through the following website: https://universidades.sede.gob.es/pagina/index/directorio/Equivalencia_notas_medias 

Technical & soft skills

• Any laboratory experience at molecular, cellular and physiological level with be enthusiastically considered

Languages

• Good command of the English language

We will value, but not required

• We will positively value the participation of the candidate in research publications
• Participation in national/international congresses: oral communications or posters
• Participation in research projects (title, period, funder, name of principal investigator)
• International experience (e.g., erasmus, short-stays, etc)
• Obtainment of prizes, awards and honors
• Previous acquirement of student fellowships/scholarships
• Participation in dissemination activities, organization of events, small congresses or seminars will be specially valued
• Acquisition of advanced training certificates (e.g., language certificates, teching experience, etc)
• Obtainment of animal experimentation license
• Names of 2-3 references

What do we offer

• No. of positions: 2
• Estimated start date: 01/09/2026
• Contract duration: 4 years
• Estimated annual gross salary: As stipulated in the La Caixa predoctoral fellowships (https://lacaixafoundation.org/en/doctoral-inphinit-fellowships)
• You will be part of a multicultural team. We have a fun loving and friendly international work environment.
• Flexible working schedule - We know you have a life outside of work and we will work with you to make sure it's kept that way.
• Possibility to work some days in remote -Teleworking
• 26 working days of holiday per year
• System of accumulated hours for employees, from 88 to 104 hours depending on the year (11 to 13 working days), to attend to personal matters.
• Paid leave package
• Benefits of constant training are offered
• We offer and promote diverse and inclusive conditions. Applicants are made free from any discrimination. Specifically IDIBELL works to improve gender equality in all areas with the aim of achieving gender balance, but maintaining the most scrupulous respect to any choice at the level of gender identity. Please express yourself freely, safely and non-binarily, if that's the case.

Deadline: Please submit your application by  10/12/2025

Data protection notice

In compliance with the obligations established in the General Regulation of Data Protection (RGPD), which is the Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the Parliament and of the Council, of April 27, 2016, and the Organic Law 3/2018, of December 5, Protection of Personal Data and guarantee of digital rights, it is reported that the Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), CIF G58863317, with address Av. Granvia de l'Hospitalet, 199-203, 08908, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, will process your personal data, as the controller, to apply for the position, maintain communication concerning the status of the candidature, to access the delivered CV; to compare that your data is in accordance with the offers announced by IDIBELL and to verify, where appropriate, that the information provided is accurate. You can find more information in our Privacy Policy at https://idibell.cat/en/privacy-policy-2/, request more information about the data processing carried out and exercise your rights of access, rectification, deletion, opposition, portability, limitation of processing by sending a request at email: dataprotection@idibell.cat. If you consider that you have not obtained satisfaction in exercising your rights, you may submit a claim to Catalan Data Protection Authority.

Our institute

IDIBELL is a research center that integrates the biomedical research of the Bellvitge University Hospital (HUB), the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), and the University of Barcelona in the Bellvitge Campus (UB), and the Viladecans Hospital (HV). The research focuses of IDIBELL are cancer, neuroscience, translational medicine and regenerative medicine. Research, innovation and society are the pivots on which researchers work every day in order to improve the quality of life of citizens.

Observations:

The 'HR Excellence in Research' award represents IDIBELL’s commitment to the implementation of Human Resources policies, which oversee the attracting and development of talent in an open, transparent, and based on personal merit, in alignment with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment Researchers (Charter and Code).

IDIBELL is committed to the principles of the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers of the European Commission and the implementation of open, transparent and merit-based recruitment (OTMR).