Postdoctoral Fellow in Cancer Immunology (TETIS Project), Dynamics of Antitumor Immunology Group. CIMA, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona

Join our group to develop an innovative immunotherapy platform of bispecific "Immune Cell Recruiters" (ICRs) to reprogram tumor vasculature and boost immune infiltration in a 3 year-funded position.

• Description of the vacancy: We are seeking a highly motivated and talented Postdoctoral Fellow to join our translational research program. The successful candidate will work on the TETIS project ("Tumor endothelium targeted immunotherapies"). The primary objective of this project is to build and validate a modular engineering platform— Immune Cell Recruiter (ICR) technology —designed to equip tumor endothelial cells with missing chemokines and adhesion mediators. By doing so, we aim to overcome a major hurdle in cancer immunotherapy: the lack of effector immune cell infiltration into the tumor microenvironment. As a relevant "proof of concept," the project focuses heavily on Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC), a malignancy where tumor angiogenesis and specialized tumor-associated vessels play a crucial role.
• Research group info – PI: The position is based within the Dynamics of the Antitumor Immune Response Research Group at Cima Universidad de Navarra, integrated into the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarra in Pamplona, Spain. Led by Dr. Álvaro Teijeira, the laboratory specializes in leveraging advanced optical imaging and intravital microscopy to directly observe immune cell behavior and traffic within the tumor microenvironment in real time. A core focus of the group is uncovering the mechanisms that govern leukocyte recruitment and identifying the structural/functional limitations that tumor vessels impose on the immune system. By understanding these barriers, the lab designs targeted immunotherapies to maximize the infiltration of anti-tumor immune cells. As part of this high-impact project, the candidate will operate within a multidisciplinary and collaborative consortium, tightly linking CIMA's advanced imaging and immunotherapy expertise with chemical biology, nanobody engineering, and multi-omics platforms across partner networks.

• Specific functions of the candidate. The post-doctoral researcher will be a cornerstone of the experimental workflow, with primary responsibilities including:

• Establishing and executing in vitro and in vivo screening assays utilizing endothelial cell monolayers to evaluate the recruitment capability of newly generated bispecific constructs and test candidate ICR molecules in subcutaneous tumor models and advanced transgenic models of HCC
• Performing deep in vivo mechanistic assays , including the evaluation of immune cell infiltration using flow cytometry and custom multiplex immunofluorescence panels, using advanced imaging tech, heavily leveraging the group's expertise in confocal and intravital microscopy to monitor immune-endothelial dynamics.
• Participating actively in consortium milestones , generating high-quality data for intellectual property protection and the preparation of high-impact scientific manuscripts.
• Writing and revising manuscripts and projects to boost his/her academic career. Participate in co-mentoring of graduate and MSc students.

Terms: Full-time, temporary postdoctoral research contract aligned with the project timeline (3 years, starting January 2027)). Competitive salary commensurate with qualifications and experience, fully funded within the framework of the grant guidelines. It is expected for the candidate to apply to other sources of funding within the project timeline.

Mandatory Requirements

• Training: A Ph.D. degree in Immunology, Cancer Biology, Biomedicine, Biotechnology, or a related Life Sciences discipline (must be fully completed prior to the contract start date).
• Experience: Proven hands-on experience with in vivo mouse models, including mouse handling, tumor inoculation, and drug administration.
• Accreditation: Valid official certification/license to perform animal experimentation (FELASA category B/C or equivalent Spanish functions B, C, D).
• Skills: Highly motivated, independent thinker with a strong proactive attitude and a collaborative spirit suitable for a multi-center research consortium.
• Languages: High proficiency in written and spoken English for scientific reporting, presentations, and team communication.

Non-Mandatory (Highly Valued) Requirements

• Prior experience in the specific field of cancer immunology, immunotherapy, or vascular biology .
• Familiarity with advanced cellular biology techniques such as multi-color flow cytometry , multiplex immunofluorescence , and in vitro functional cell assays.
• Experience or strong interest in advanced imaging techniques (e.g., confocal, spinning disk, or intravital live imaging).
• A track record with first-author publications and other publications allowing the candidate to apply for competitive grants.
• Genuine interest in pursuing an academic career .

Note to Candidates: Required application documents, including your detailed CV and letters of recommendation , must be uploaded directly via the Talent Clue platform to be considered for evaluation.