Malvina Pizzuto

PhD opportunity in Granada, Spain with the Molecular Mechanisms of Innate Immunity group at Institute of Parasitology and Biomedicine López-Neyra (IPBLN-CSIC) , linked to the University of Granada . The project sits at the intersection of immunology , innate immunity , inflammation , sepsis , mitochondria , inflammasomes , and bacterial infection . The group is seeking a highly motivated candidate with an excellent academic record to apply for the FPU 2026 PhD contract. Possible research directions include molecular recognition and immune sensing, mitochondrial control of inflammatory signalling, bacterial regulation of inflammasome activation and cell death, and immune dysfunction in rare disease (including Barth syndrome) using patient samples and clinician collaboration. Training includes primary human immune cells, patient samples, CRISPR/Cas9, live-cell and confocal microscopy, biochemistry, mass spectrometry, inflammasome and cell death assays, bacterial infection models, and flow cytometry. The post also emphasizes experience in experimental design, scientific writing, presentations, and interdisciplinary work with clinicians. Eligibility highlights: any nationality; degrees from outside Spain must already have official grade equivalence; undergraduate average grade of at least 8.5/10; master's completed or in progress with access to a PhD programme by October 2027; not eligible if you already hold a PhD, previously had an FPU, or held a predoctoral contract for more than 12 months. Funding is through the FPU 2026 contract, with support for research stays in leading labs in the UK, Switzerland, the USA, and Australia. Send your CV and academic transcript with average grade by 30 October 2026 to [email protected] .