Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)
- Department: Instituto de Transferencia e Investigación (ITEI)
- Research Field: Medical sciences » Cancer research
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: PhD Positions
- Application Deadline: 30 Sep 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)
- Country: Spain
- Type of Contract: Temporary
- Job Status: Full-time
- Offer Starting Date: 15 Feb 2027
- Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Horizon Europe - MSCA
Offer Description
CanGoNano is a European Training Network funded in the framework of HORIZON Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN), focusing on glyconanomaterials (GNM) as precision tools of unveil key insights on the triggering of the antigen presenting cells (APC) against cancer using antigenic peptides and mRNAs encoding for these peptides. Within CanGoNano, Doctoral Candidates (DCs) will be equipped with a thorough multifaceted knowledge of the potential of glycoscience in cancer immunotherapy and the necessary transferable skills. CanGoNano will provide an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary educational program, according to the EU Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training. This will put DCs in an advantageous position for job opportunities in both academia and industry.
Within the CANGONANO network, the Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR) is recruiting 1 Doctoral Candidate (DC) to carry out research in glyconanomaterials for the delivery of peptide antigens or mRNA in breast cancer models. The DC will be supervised by Prof. Carmen Alvarez-Dominguez at the Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (UNIR) and Prof. Nuria Gironés Pujol at the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), offering to the candidate the opportunity to work at the forefront of glyconanotechnology to fill gaps in cancer immunotherapy, while benefiting from tailored training and international secondments across the consortium. The workplaces will be in Madrid and Logroño (Spain), and the DC will join the research groups MEDONLINE (https://investigacion.unir.net/grupos/35492/detalle) and CBMSO-UAM (https://www.uam.es/uam/investigacion/grupos-de-investigacion/detalle/f1-95).
Doctoral Candidate DC14
Project Title: Glyconanomaterials for the delivery of peptide antigens or mRNA in breast cancer models: formulation and anti-cancer efficacy
Project: This PhD project will focus on: 1) Characterization and transfection of HER2 breast cancer cell lines; 2) Set up of the doses of breast-transfected cell lines, kinetics of tumour progression and immune responses in vivo; 3) Evaluation of GNM formulations (including or not adjuvants) and doses to activate immune organs in vivo; 4) Examine the capacity of GNM as breast cancer immunotherapies: prophylactic vs therapeutic effects; 5) Training in GNM assembly & formulation, anti-cancer immunotherapy, establishing breast cancer in mice, bionanotech, biointeractions.
Host Institution: Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR), Spain. https://www.unir.net
Duration: 36 months, starting 15 February 2027
Supervisors: Carmen Alvarez-Dominguez (UNIR, ES; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Carmen-Alvarez-Dominguez) and Nuria Gironés Pujol (UAM, ES; https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nuria-Girones)
Co-supervisor: Jürgen Mairhofer (EnGenes Biotech GmbH, AT)
Planned Secondments: (1) CNRS (FR), C. Menard-Moyon, (II year, 1M), training on the synthesis of AA-NPs; (2) EnGenes (AT), J. Mairhofer, (III year, 1M), training on expression of lectins.
PhD School enrolment: Doctoral Program Molecular Biosciences at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Spain (https://www.uam.es/EscuelaDoctorado/(en_GB)-Programa-Doctorado_Biociencias_Moleculares/1446833580304.htm?language=en_GB&nDept=4&pid=1446830843680&pidDept=1446711297531)
Where to apply
Website: https://cangonano.eu/
Requirements
Research Field: Medical sciences » Cancer research
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Hold official bachelor (B.Sc.) degree, or equivalent, and master (M.Sc.) degree, or equivalent, ensuring that a total of, at least, 300 ECTS credits have been obtained in these two degrees
- Master (M.Sc.) degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Immunology or Biotechnology
- Practical experience in immunological and cell biology techniques
- Hold a valid EU certificate on Animal Handling (minimum level B)
- Good level of English proficiency (understood, spoken and written)
- Team spirit and pro-active attitude
Specific Requirements
The selected candidate must meet the following requirements:
- Commit full-time to the research activity, unless authorization is granted by the European Commission for personal or family reasons.
- Carry out exclusively the research activities related to the specified research program, and refrain from undertaking any teaching activities at the university.
- Refrain from receiving any additional income beyond what is specified in the call.
- Agree to sign all necessary agreements concerning intellectual property rights.
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the regulations of the European Project.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Good
Internal Application form(s) needed
ANNEX A CanGoNano_General-call-for-applications_Annex-A-2026 website 16Mar2026_1.pdf
English (892.61 KB - PDF)
Additional Information
Benefits
The recruited Doctoral Candidate (DC) will be offered a temporary gross research fellowship. The salary of the DC will be paid in accordance with the MSCA rules. Please, refer to the section “Applicable Unit Contributions” (page 118 and following) of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025 for MSCA-DN actions, available at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf
Please, refer to the above-mentioned link and the MSCA-DN dedicated webpage (https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks).
The salary of DC is structured as follows:
- Living allowance (gross amount): 3,833.56 €/month
- Mobility allowance: 710.00 €/month
- Family allowance (if applicable): 660.00 €/month
Eligibility criteria
The position is open to candidates of any nationality, provided they strictly fulfil the eligibility requirements established for the enrollment through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action- Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN). Equal opportunities policy without distinction on the grounds of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation will be applied. Please, refer to the section “Recruited Researchers” (page 122 and following) of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025 for MSCA-DN actions, available at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/wp-call/2023-2024/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf
In particular, at the time of recruitment, applicants must comply with the following eligibility criteria:
- Experience: Applicants must not be already in possession of a doctoral degree. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis, but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree, will not be considered eligible. Applicants must possess a five-years university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent).
- Mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country where the research training activities will take place for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date.
Selection process
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The applicant must apply through the project website: www.cangonano.eu. Any other form of application will not be considered.
All applications will be checked for eligibility. Incomplete applications will be ignored. Applications will be in English. Applicants must complete/upload the data/documents and information through the project website www.cangonano.eu by following an 8-step application procedure.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA / EVALUATION CRITERIA
Supervisors will pre-select candidates for each position, based on the information included in the application procedure that will be evaluated against the following criteria:
- Educational record;
- Scientific quality of the applicant’s CV;
- Expected individual impact and benefit to the fellow and to the project;
- Previous experience in the subject of the CanGoNano research programme.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews with multiple supervisors from the network (online or in-person). Good level of English proficiency (understood, spoken and written) will be considered. Candidates will be notified of the outcome via the website.
Additional comments
The start of the employment is foreseen on the 15 February 2027, in accordance with the local regulations of the recruiting institution and in agreement with the local supervisors. Doctoral candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.
Candidates must meet all admission requirements for the PhD programme at the recruiting institution. These requirements must be fulfilled at the start of the contract.
Candidates of all nationalities and genders are welcome to apply.
In line with MSCA requirements, candidates must be willing to undertake international mobility during the fellowship, which is a mandatory requirement and may account for up to 30% of the contract duration.
Please submit your application form, including CV, motivation letter, recommendation letter(s), and copies of relevant diplomas/documents via the project website: www.cangonano.eu by using the “APPLY NOW” function.
Candidates will be notified of the outcome via the website.
For questions exclusively not addressed in the application guidelines available on the project website, candidates may contact the project team at research.mgt@unir.net. Replies will be provided only in such cases.
Website for additional job details: https://cangonano.eu
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (UNIR)
Country: Spain
State/Province: La Rioja
City: Logroño
Postal Code: 26006
Street: Av. de la Paz, 137
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)
Country: Spain
State/Province: Comunidad de Madrid
City: Madrid
Postal Code: 28049
Street: Ciudad Universitaria de Cantoblanco
Contact
State/Province: La Rioja
City: Logroño
Website: https://www.unir.net/
Street: Av. de la Paz, 137
Postal Code: 26006
E-Mail: research.mgt@unir.net
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