Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology
Organisation / Company: University of Cordoba – Department Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology – Laboratory Inflammation and Cancer (GC‑04). Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Dr. Ernesto Mejías Pérez / Dept. Cellular Biology, Physiology and Immunology welcomes expressions of interest from Postdoctoral researchers with an excellent track record of research and publication to apply jointly with the UCO to the European Commission Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA‑FP) Call 2026 to be launched on 9 April 2026.
His current research focuses on the development and mechanistic understanding of oncolytic viruses as precision anticancer therapeutics. His group is particularly interested in engineering and characterizing viral platforms, and in studying their interactions with the tumor microenvironment and host antiviral responses to improve tumor selectivity, therapeutic potency, and immune‑mediated antitumor activity. By combining molecular virology, tumor immunology, and advanced cellular models, our work aims to uncover key determinants of therapeutic efficacy and enable the rational design of improved viral candidates. Ultimately, their goal is to develop clinically relevant viro‑immunotherapeutic strategies that overcome current limitations in cancer therapy, including combinatorial treatments, molecular mechanisms to restrict infection and oncolysis to tumors, and patient‑relevant platforms that accelerate the translation of new candidates to the clinic.
As a Principal Investigator leading an emerging and ambitious research group, he is particularly interested in hosting highly motivated postdoctoral researchers who wish to jointly develop a competitive proposal for the Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA‑PF 2026). Successful candidates will benefit from close scientific mentorship, strategic guidance throughout the MSCA application process, and an intellectually stimulating environment focused on creativity and independence. The group offers strong support for career development, opportunities to build an independent research profile, and access to a dynamic research ecosystem within the University of Córdoba. Exceptional candidates will find an open scientific space to shape their own research ideas, contribute to the development of innovative projects in oncolytic virotherapy, and participate in high‑impact, forward‑looking research with strong translational potential.
If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, please forward your CV and a short motivation letter including your research area, project idea and how your research could contribute to this research line.
Expressions of interest are to be sent to by 15 May 2026 stating in the subject “EoI_MSCA-2026-PF”.
The selected candidate will be invited to work on the PF application together with Prof. Dr. Ernesto Mejías Pérez and the UCO International Projects Office as of 16 May 202. Please ensure your agenda allows for full dedication to the proposal preparation during the summer months, since the deadline to submit proposals to the MSCA‑2026‑PF call is 9 September 2026.
* must have a maximum of 8 years of full‑time equivalent research experience
* must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g., work, studies) in the country of the Host Institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the deadline date (‘mobility rule’)
The University of Cordoba ( UCO, Cordoba, Spain), established in 1972, is a non‑profit High Education and Research Institution considered at the forefront of research in Andalusia and ranking among the top research institutions at the National level. With more than 18.000 students, 235 research units and 2.500 employees, UCO has the capacity and dynamism to face the third decade of the 21st century as a university of high teaching quality and proven scientific solvency.
The UCO has a commitment with society, promoting innovation, research and technological development as an instrument for the social and economic progress, and has received the \"Human Resources Excellence in Research\" ( HRS4R ) European Commission Award, which publicly recognises that we have improved our human resource policies to align them with the principles of The European Charter for Researchers and The Code of Conduct for Recruitment of Researchers.
Three main offices related to international promotion, funding, transfer of knowledge and protection of results operate at UCO: the International Relations Office ( ORI ), the Results Transfer Office ( OTC ) and the International Projects Office ( OPI ). Thanks to their support, UCO has a large experience in coordinating, managing and implementing international projects since 2nd Framework Programme(1987–1991). Within H2020 Framework Programme (2014‑2020), UCO obtained 45 projects funded, plus 51 projects funded by other European programmes, meaning almost 20 million euros in income. Since 2021 UCO has been granted with 25 projects funded by Horizon Europe and 55 projects funded by other European programs.
Our university offers a wide range of services in the ICT area and audiovisual technologies as well as in the field of education and training, providing video conference and streaming support; multimedia and interactive courses and apps, e‑learning platforms; audiovisual materials; web design assistance, etc.
UCO has a Scientific Culture Unit (UCCi) responsible for the communication and dissemination of knowledge generated at the University of Cordoba. This unit takes part in the design of specific communication plans and spreading media the research projects at local, national and international level.
#J-18808-Ljbffr