A
position for a PhD student
is offered at the Adhesion and Metastasis laboratory which hosts the research group of professor Fernando Lecanda at the Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA-University of Navarra). The grant is funded under the FPI grants associated to the the project "Mechanisms of lung cancer metastases" funded by the MInistry of Science of Innovation (MICIU 2024 I+D PID OB-I00). This is an Government-funded project (AEI) aimed at boosting radio-immune therapies understanding the basic mechanisms of response and resistance in refined lung cancer models. This approach will provide opportunities for interaction with other groups (internally, nationally and internationally) as well as industry sponsors. The project builds on the consolidated expertise in Cancer Biology, Tumor Microenvironment and Targeted Therapies (Ruiz-Fernandez de Cordoba et al, Signal Transduction & Target Therapy, 2025; Ruiz-Fernandez de Cordoba et al, Cancer Discov, 2022; Ajona et al, AJRCCM, 2018; Vallejo et al, Nat Comms 2017)
The project will require, among other tasks: the characterization of complex mechanisms of cell-cell interaction using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology, deep genomic exome sequencing, and single cell analysis of the tumor microenvironment using multiparametric flow cytometry and single cell RNA sequencing. It is anticipated that this research will lead to new combined Radio-Immune Therapies with targeted therapies and standard-of-care chemotherapies.
Requirements
Candidate's requirements:
* PhD in biological or biomedical sciences.
* Excellent communication skills
* English Proficient level
* Self-motivated, resilient, autonomous person with team work skills and ability to work in a fast-paced environment.
* Background in Cancer Biology and/or Immunotherapy (although preference will be given to candidates with immunotherapy background)
* Training in animal work is a must.
* Publication record to compete for additional fellowship applications is preferable
The position is initially funded for 3 year and could be extended for two additional years upon satisfactory performance. The appointment will start in November/December 2025. Applications will be accepted starting October 2025 (or until the position is filled if that occurs later).