FPU for PhD in Immunology CaixaResearch Institute in Czech Republic

The CaixaResearch Institute in Barcelona is inviting outstanding predoctoral researchers to apply for a Formación de Profesorado Universitario (FPU) 2026 fellowship in the field of biomedicine. This is a 4-year doctoral funding opportunity designed to support early-stage researchers who want to complete a PhD while developing advanced research skills in a highly collaborative, internationally oriented immunology environment.

The institute is a newly established immunology research centre with a mission to become a global leader in immunological research. Its work focuses on immune system processes and how they interact with major diseases, including neurological, oncological, and infectious conditions, as well as the impact of environmental factors on immune health. The institute is part of the broader “la Caixa” Foundation biomedical research ecosystem in Barcelona, alongside centres such as ISGlobal, BBRC, VHIO, IRSICaixa, and the Sant Joan de Déu Foundation, with additional links to GIMM in Lisbon.

Applicants are encouraged to review the available host laboratories and choose the research area and supervisor that best match their background and interests. The participating labs cover a broad set of immunology topics, including clonal haematopoiesis and immune ageing, immunosenescence and inflammaging, maternal immunity and tumour progression, malaria vaccine immunity in children, glyco-immunology and anti-tumour immunity, and autoimmune encephalitis and synaptic mechanisms. The projects use modern approaches such as single-cell transcriptomics, spectral and advanced flow cytometry, genome editing, TCR sequencing, functional assays, animal models, multi-omics, and patient-sample-based translational research.

Eligibility is strictly defined by the FPU call. Candidates must have a Bachelor’s GPA of at least 8.0 on the Spanish scale, must be enrolled in or admitted to a doctoral programme for the 2026/2027 academic year, and must not already have started a predoctoral period under another fellowship, hold a PhD, or have held a predoctoral contract for more than 12 months. Candidates who are not yet enrolled or admitted may still apply if they will be eligible to formalize the contract after completing their Master’s degree by October 2027. Applicants with degrees obtained outside Spain may need to provide an equivalence declaration for their GPA.

Key dates: contact the institute by 16 October 2026, and submit the call application by 20 November 2026 (23:59, Europe/Madrid).

The institute offers access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, support for preparing and submitting the FPU proposal, guidance from experienced principal investigators, and a vibrant scientific environment in Barcelona.