Organisation/Company Fundacio de Recerca Clinic Barcelona-Institut d'Investigacions Biomediques August Pi i Sunyer Department All departments Research Field Neurosciences » Neurobiology Neurosciences » Neurology Medical sciences » Medicine Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Country Spain Application Deadline 10 Aug 2025 - 01:30 (Europe/Madrid) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 37,5 Offer Starting Date 1 Sep 2025 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - ERC Reference Number 101163724 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our interdisciplinary research team at the IDIBAPS Institute for Biomedical Research in Barcelona, Spain. The position is part of an ERC-funded project entitled “Unravelling the role of neuronal antibodies and innate immunity partnership in human autoimmune encephalitis.”
The selected candidate will explore how autoantibodies and innate immune mechanisms interact to drive the pathogenesis of anti-NMDAR encephalitis, a severe autoimmune neurological disorder. The project integrates neuroimmunology, experimental neuroscience, and translational medicine.
The PhD student will:
* Work with an established mouse model of autoimmune encephalitis
* Use neuronal cultures and brain tissue for in vitro and ex vivo studies
* Apply confocal and super-resolution microscopy, flow cytometry, and cellular assays
* Analyze immune responses and neuronal damage
* Participate in collaborative research, data interpretation, presentations, and scientific publications
This is a fully funded 3-year PhD position (extendable), starting as early as September 2025. The candidate will benefit from a dynamic training environment, cutting-edge research facilities, and mentoring from experts in neuroscience, immunology, and clinical neurology.
We particularly encourage applications from early-career researchers across Europe who are enthusiastic about understanding the neuroimmune mechanisms behind brain diseases.
Where to apply
E-mail SPATOLA@recerca.clinic.cat
Requirements
Research Field Medical sciences » Medicine Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field Neurosciences » Neurobiology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Required:
* Bachelor's degree in Biology, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Immunology, or a related field.
* Currently enrolled in or holder of a Master's degree in Neuroscience, Immunology, or a related discipline.
* Solid foundational knowledge in neuroscience and/or immunology.
* Previous hands-on experience working with rodents.
* Strong motivation for translational research and scientific curiosity.
Highly valued:
* FELASA or equivalent certification in Laboratory Animal Science.
* Practical experience in cellular or molecular biology techniques (e.g., flow cytometry, microscopy, immunohistochemistry).
* Experience with in vitro models and neuroimmune interactions.
* Team-oriented mindset with the ability to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.
* Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
Specific Requirements
* Must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Biology, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, Immunology, Bioengineering, or related fields.
* Enrollment in or completion of a Master’s degree in Neuroscience, Immunology, or a related discipline is required or highly desirable.
* Prior experience working with laboratory rodents is mandatory; possession of FELASA or equivalent Laboratory Animal Science certification is strongly preferred.
* Strong background in neuroscience and/or immunology with practical laboratory skills.
* Ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
* Proficiency in English for scientific communication (written and oral).
* Commitment to a full-time PhD research position starting around September 2025.
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