The Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC) is a comprehensive cancer research center dedicated to conducting research and driving innovation in the epidemiological, preventive, clinical, translational, and basic aspects of leukaemia and other haematologic malignancies, with the aim of finding a cure for these diseases.
IJC was created in 2010 and has experienced exponential growth since then. It is part of the network of Excellence Research Centers of Catalonia (CERCA) and was accredited as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence in 2024. It is also accredited by the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (FCAECC) and integrated into the Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP) as an Accredited Health Research Institute.
IJC’s main headquarters is located within the Can Ruti Biomedical Campus, alongside other leading biomedical institutions. The Institute has six additional locations in reference hospitals, facilitating close collaboration between basic and clinical researchers.
IJC is looking for a Laboratory Technician for the Cancer genetics group led by Dr. Montse Sanchez — Cespedes.
RESEARCH DESCRIPTION
The Josep Carreras Institute Severo Ochoa Doctoral Fellowships Program offers ten doctoral fellowships to train outstanding early‑stage researchers in blood cancer research within a highly interdisciplinary and translational environment. The program is funded by the Severo Ochoa Excellence Program, granted in 2024.
Successful candidates will be recruited under a predoctoral employment contract in accordance with the applicable Spanish legal framework. Fellowships have a maximum duration of four years and must commence no later than 1 January 2027, starting on the first day of the corresponding month.
Working Groups and Illustrative Examples of Research Directions
IJC’s research environment is organized around three Working Groups (WGs) that bring together complementary expertise across multiple domains:
- Resistance to treatment and relapse (TP53, toxicity, metabolism, plasticity, progression mechanisms, relapse prediction)
- Immune mechanisms in disease and immunotherapy (tumor microenvironment, immune system, immune surveillance, immune evasion, GvHD/GvL)
- Origin of disease and predisposition (pre‑malignant clones and interception, germline predisposition, genomic instability, inflammation and aging)
These WGs foster collaboration around major scientific and clinical challenges in blood cancer, creating a dynamic environment for doctoral candidates to develop projects with strong scientific ambition and translational relevance.
At the application stage, candidates will not apply to a specific doctoral project or a specific Working Group. Applicants submit a motivation letter addressing their interest and suitability for the research directions represented across the IJC Working Groups.
Example research directions represented across the Working Groups include:
- Origins of blood cancers: mechanisms driving the transition from pre‑malignant states to leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma
- Clonal haematopoiesis and early cancer evolution
- Immune surveillance in pre‑malignant haematologic conditions
- The immunological niche of early disease
- Microenvironmental signals promoting malignant transformation
- Spatial mapping of pre‑malignant and early malignant niches
- Immune–tumor ecosystem interactions in blood cancers
- Mechanisms of immune escape during disease progression
- Biology of minimal residual disease and early relapse
- Single‑cell and spatial multi‑omics approaches to define cellular ecosystems
- Early biomarkers for diagnosis and disease interception
- Inflammatory signalling and immune dysfunction in blood cancers
- Targeting pre‑malignant niches to prevent progression
- Next‑generation immunotherapies targeting tumour–immune interactions
- Precision medicine integrating genomics, immune profiling, and spatial biology
WHAT WE NEED
We are looking for early‑stage researchers with a strong interest in blood cancer research and a willingness to pursue doctoral training within an interdisciplinary and translational environment.
- Demonstrate a strong academic record and scientific potential.
- Show clear interest in the research directions represented across the IJC Working Groups.
- Demonstrate curiosity, initiative, critical thinking, and willingness to develop new scientific and technical skills.
- Be able to communicate effectively and work collaboratively in an international research environment.
- Be interested in contributing to high‑quality research with potential relevance for blood cancer biology and patient benefit.
Candidates must also meet the following eligibility requirements established in the Severo Ochoa call:
- Hold, or be in a position to hold before contract signature, a university degree that grants access to a doctoral program in life sciences or related disciplines, and be formally admitted to a doctoral program at the time of contract formalization.
- Do not hold a doctoral degree.
- Have not previously benefited from a predoctoral grant under the Spanish National R&D; Plans.
- Have not been employed under a predoctoral contract for more than 12 months prior to the application deadline.
Applications that do not meet all the minimum eligibility criteria will be excluded from the evaluation process.
WHAT WE OFFER
Successful candidates will be recruited under a four‑year predoctoral employment contract. The fellowship covers employment costs and provides 6.860 € to support doctoral tuition fees and eligible research stays.
The salary conditions are:
- Year 1 and 2: 22.000 € gross annually.
- Year 3: 25.000 € gross annually.
- Year 4: 30.000 € gross annually, plus severance pay at contract end.
Additional funding is available from the Severo Ochoa Programme CEX2023‑ ‑S and from the Fundació Josep Carreras, which can provide up to 30.000 € per fellowship to supplement employment costs not covered by Severo Ochoa funds.
Fellowship holders must comply with programme conditions and reporting obligations, including:
- Submit an individual training program within 15 working days of incorporation.
- Notify IJC of the defense and successful completion of the doctoral thesis.
- Provide documentation required for scientific and financial monitoring.
- Acknowledge Severo Ochoa funding in publications, presentations, and dissemination outputs.
- Notify IJC immediately of interruptions, resignations, or other relevant incidents.
HOW TO APPLY
Complete the application form below (“Apply for this job” section). All documents must be submitted in English (or accompanied by an English translation) and uploaded in PDF format by the application deadline.
Required documents:
- Proof of degree completion or a provisional certificate showing that degree requirements will be fulfilled before contract signature in life sciences or related disciplines.
- Academic transcripts specifying the final grade.
- CV (narrative CVs are preferred).
- Motivation Letter addressing the candidate’s interest and suitability for the scientific themes represented across the IJC Working Groups.
- Contact details of two referees (name, institution, position, and email address).
- Any supporting documentation needed to substantiate achievements that the candidate wishes to have considered under the evaluation criteria.
Applications lacking the required documentation will not be considered in the evaluation.
SELECTION PROCESS
Stage 1 – Remote Criterion 1 evaluation (50 points total):
1. Academic performance – up to 25 points.
2. Research experience and technical preparation – up to 15 points.
3. Additional curricular merits – up to 5 points.
4. Mobility and internationalisation – up to 5 points.
Candidates must score at least 30 of 50 to be shortlisted for Stage 2.
Stage 2 – Interview and evaluation of Criterion 2 (50 points total):
1. Technical fit – up to 15 points.
2. Motivation and potential – up to 25 points.
3. Understanding of the project – up to 10 points.
Only candidates scoring at least 37.5 of 50 in Criterion 2 will remain eligible. The final score (Criterion 1 + Criterion 2) determines the overall ranking. Candidates must score at least 80 of 100 overall to be eligible for funding.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS
Submit your application by 3rd May 2026.
WHO WE ARE?
Mission: Conduct research and drive innovation in epidemiological, preventive, clinical, translational, and basic aspects of blood cancers to find cures.
Vision: Be a world‑class reference and research centre contributing to improved outcomes for patients with blood cancers through innovation, sustainability, social responsibility, talent, and professional experience.
We are an equal‑opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.
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