PhD Doctoral Candidate (DC14) in Cancer Research – CarrerasPathfinders Program Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute in Spain

The Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC) is recruiting an excellent Doctoral Candidate (DC) for the DC14 project within the CarrerasPathfinders programme. This is a PhD opening in cancer research, specifically focused on blood cancers, leukaemia, and other hematologic malignancies. The programme is a COFUND Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action supported by the European Commission under Horizon Europe, and it is designed to train the next generation of researchers working across the full spectrum of blood-cancer research and innovation.

The doctoral candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Marcus Buschbeck and co-supervision of senior postdoc Dr. Jeannine Diesch. The project has been selected by the programme’s Scientific Advisory Board for its excellence, impact, and strong international, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral dimensions. The institute emphasizes translational research that connects basic science with clinical practice, and the broader CarrerasPathfinders network includes training activities such as retreats, courses, seminars, and secondments to international partner institutions.

IJC is a major cancer research center in Spain with a strong focus on leukaemia and hematologic malignancies. It is part of CERCA, accredited as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence, and integrated into a network of clinical and biomedical sites including the Can Ruti Biomedical Campus and several reference hospitals in Catalonia. The environment is intended to be highly collaborative, innovative, and supportive for early-stage researchers.

Funding includes a three-year contract with a competitive gross salary between 28,100 € and 29,000 €, plus planned secondments of 3–11 months to collaborating international associated partners. The position is full-time and temporary, with a preferred start date in December 2026. The application deadline is 14 October 2026 at 23:59 CET.

Eligibility is strict: applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree, must comply with the MSCA mobility rule, and must be eligible to enrol in a PhD programme at the University of Barcelona or the Autonomous University of Barcelona. This generally means holding a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree, or being close to completion by the end of the selection process, with a total of 300 ECTS credits including 60 at master’s level. Strong written and spoken English is required.

To apply, candidates should review the programme guide and FAQs, study the DC14 project description carefully, and submit a project-specific motivation letter along with a CV, degree certificates and transcripts, and any documents demonstrating compliance with the mobility rule. Applications are submitted through the CarrerasPathfinders online portal.