PhD Researcher in Clinical Neuroimmunology Vall d'Hebron Research Institute in Spain

Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), through its Neuroimmunology Research Group/Cemcat in Barcelona, Spain, is recruiting a PhD Researcher in Clinical Neuroimmunology. The project, titled Epigenetic Vitamin D Deficiency Blueprint in Multiple Sclerosis, sits at the interface of immunology, epigenetics, neurobiology and translational medicine.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic biomedical research environment at VHIR, a public-sector research institute linked to Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, and will contribute to a project focused on how environmental factors influence the epigenome and shape susceptibility to autoimmune disease. The work combines clinical and experimental approaches with the aim of identifying novel mechanisms, therapeutic targets and biomarkers relevant to multiple sclerosis.

Key research activities include epigenetic and gene expression analyses using samples from patients with multiple sclerosis and experimental mouse models; molecular and cellular biology techniques such as nucleic acid extraction, qPCR, chromatin profiling and immunological assays; and the analysis and interpretation of omics datasets to detect epigenetic changes associated with vitamin D deficiency and multiple sclerosis. The role also involves supporting the characterisation and monitoring of murine models, presenting results at meetings and conferences, and helping prepare manuscripts and reports.

This is a full-time, temporary PhD position (37.5 hours per week). The selected candidate will apply for the Amics del VHIR PhD Call 2026, and if successful will start between January and March 2027. Funding is linked to that call, with a gross annual salary specified according to the programme.

Eligibility highlights include a degree in health sciences, an official university master’s degree qualifying the candidate for doctoral studies, a valid animal experimentation licence (Level C or D), a minimum grade of 8.5/10 in both the degree and master’s degree, and advanced fluency in Spanish and English. Experience in epigenetics, molecular biology, animal models and omics analysis is desirable, as are strong organisational skills, scientific curiosity and the ability to work both independently and in a multidisciplinary team.

Applications must be submitted through the official VHIR jobs portal before 24 August 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Andorra). The recruitment process includes pre-selection based on CV, interviews, and potentially a practical assessment, followed by checks and a formal job offer to the selected candidate.