Professor Fermín Sánchez de Medina, from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Granada, welcomes postdoctoral candidates interested in applying for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) in 2026 at this University. Please note that applicants must comply with the Mobility Rule (for more information about the 2026 call, please consult this link).

Brief description of the institution:

The University of Granada (UGR), founded in 1531, is one of the largest and most important universities in Spain. With more than 57,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students and almost 7,000 members of staff, the UGR offers 97 undergraduate degrees, 157 master’s degrees (7 of which are double degrees) and 28 doctoral programmes via its 124 departments and nearly 50 centers. Accordingly, the UGR offers one of the most extensive and diverse ranges of higher education programmes in Spain.

The UGR has been awarded with the "Human Resources Excellence in Research (HRS4R)", which reflects the institution’s commitment to continuously improve its human resource policies in line with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The UGR is also internationally renowned for its excellence in diverse research fields and ranked among the top Spanish universities in a variety of ranking criteria, such as national R&D projects, fellowships awarded, publications, and international funding.

The UGR is one of the few Spanish Universities listed in the Shanghai Top 500 ranking - Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). The 2025 edition of the ARWU places the UGR in 301-400th position in the world and as the 3-8 highest ranked University in Spain, reaffirming its position as an institution at the forefront of national and international research. From the perspective of specialist areas in the ARWU rankings, the UGR is outstanding in Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence and Dentistry & Oral Sciences (ranked between 51th-75th position), Computer Science & Engineering, Education and Hospitality & Tourism Management (between 76-100th position), and in the areas of Food Science & Technology and Business Administration (between 101-150th position). A little lower in the ranking, the UGR also stands out in the areas of Earth Sciences, Law, Management, Nursing, Psychology and Statistics, in which the UGR is positioned in the 151-200th position.

Additionally, the UGR counts with 4 researchers at the top of the Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) list, most of them related to the Computer Science and Mathematics scientific areas. It is also well recognised for its presence in the top 200 Universities in Europe at 83th place.

Internationally, the University of Granada is firmly committed to its participation in the calls of the Framework Programme of the European Union. For the duration of the prevoius Framework Programme, Horizon 2020, the UGR obtained a total of 124 projects with a total funding of more than €30 million. For the current Framework Programme, Horizon Europe, the UGR has obtained 136 projects, so far, with a total funding of more than €38 million.

Brief description of the Centre/Research Group:

Our research group works in the field of pathophysiology (ion transport, alkaline phosphatase, inflammatory markers) and pharmacology (flavonoids, glycomacropeptide, oligosaccharides, bisphosphonates, corticosteroids) of inflammatory bowel disease and obesity/metabolic syndrome. Central to both is an alteration of the function of intestinal barrier, a fundamental element of intestinal homeostasis involved in inflammatory processes such as inflammatory bowel disease, but also many other intestinal and systemic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, acute pancreatitis, liver disease, sepsis, etc.

We use various cellular models, including intestinal organoids, and animal models, such as KO mice for the intestinal epithelial glucocorticoid receptor Nr3c1 (developed by our group), haplodeficient mice for tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (Alpl), immunodeficient mice Zucker rats, etc. The experimental techniques used include molecular techniques, FACS, immunohistochemistry, gene silencing, studies of electrolytic transport, metagenomics of fecal microbiota, pharmacogenomics, etc.

We have received about 650,000 € in the last 5 years, coming mainly from competitive public projects but also from contracts with companies and projects financed by foundations. Our group is a member of the Center for Biomedical Research in the Liver and Digestive Diseases Network (CIBERehd), which brings together the most prestigious groups active in the research of gastroenterology in Spain. Our publications profile is available at https://scholar.google.es/citations?user=Y0GzurEAAAAJ&hl=en

Project description:

Glucocorticoids (GC) are drugs frequently used to the treatment of multiple diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. Despite their great effectiveness, GCs have important adverse effects, and in many cases the therapeutic response is insufficient or transitory. These limitations may be related to weakening of intestinal barrier function. In experimental models of colitis, although inflammation itself improves, there is a general deterioration in the condition of the animals, related to the unfavorable effects on the cells that line the intestine, that is, the intestinal epithelium. GCs impair lesion healing, which promotes the penetration of microorganisms from the intestine (translocation), systemic effects and deterioration of the state of the animals. Our group generated a transgenic mouse that does not have the epithelial GC receptor, impeding GC effects on these cells (NR3C1IEC-/- mice). We found that these mice are protected against most used model of experimental colitis (DSS colitis), and also in other models of disease that involve the intestine. This indicates that the epithelial actions of GCs are detrimental. Hence, it may be useful for patients treated with GC to minimize epithelial effects.

The main objective of the project is to improve the therapy of patients with GC. To this end, we first propose the evaluation of intestinal barrier function by measuring intestinal permeability markers in the plasma of patients exposed or not to GC treatment. For this purpose, we include an observational study in collaboration with the Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, as well as samples from the Andalusian Biobank. Secondly, we will study the role of GC synthesis (steroidogenesis) in the barrier function in the inflamed intestine. For this, we will use several strategies, including the determination of steroidogenic capacity in cultured intestinal epithelial cells (human and murine organoids and cell lines); use of our NR3C1IEC-/- mice, as well as mice that do not express HSD11B1, a key enzyme in the activation of GC precursors, and a specific inhibitor of this enzyme, in order to verify their influence in experimental colitis. We will also use the organoid transplantation technique to study barrier modulation and steroidogenesis within the normal colon. For this purpose, we will use organoids that do not express the GC receptor, overexpress CYPA11 (which increases steroidogenesis) or lack HSD11B1. Third, we will study the role of the epithelial GC receptor using NR3C1IEC-/- mice in an immobilization stress model. Fourth, we will address the study of the role of the microbiota of patients with intestinal inflammation on GC barrier modulation, as well as the causes of the difference in potency between different GCs at this level (which seems to be different from the conventional one in other tissues). Finally, we will characterize the effect of GCs in models of experimental colitis with limited epithelial damage (lymphocyte transfer colitis and in IL10-/- transgenic mice). Finally, the findings will be transferred to the clinical setting, patient associations and society in general.

Research Area:

• Life Sciences (LIFE)

For a correct evaluation of your candidature, please send the documents below to Professor Fermín Sánchez de Medina (fsanchez@ugr.es):

• CV
• Letter of recommendation (optional)

Professor Fermín Sánchez de Medina, from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Granada, welcomes postdoctoral candidates interested in applying for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) in 2026 at this University. Please note that applicants must comply with the Mobility Rule (for more information about the 2026 call, please consult this link).

Brief description of the institution:

The University of Granada (UGR), founded in 1531, is one of the largest and most important universities in Spain. With more than 57,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students and almost 7,000 members of staff, the UGR offers 97 undergraduate degrees, 157 master’s degrees (7 of which are double degrees) and 28 doctoral programmes via its 124 departments and nearly 50 centers. Accordingly, the UGR offers one of the most extensive and diverse ranges of higher education programmes in Spain.

The UGR has been awarded with the "Human Resources Excellence in Research (HRS4R)", which reflects the institution’s commitment to continuously improve its human resource policies in line with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The UGR is also internationally renowned for its excellence in diverse research fields and ranked among the top Spanish universities in a variety of ranking criteria, such as national R&D projects, fellowships awarded, publications, and international funding.

The UGR is one of the few Spanish Universities listed in the Shanghai Top 500 ranking - Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU). The 2025 edition of the ARWU places the UGR in 301-400th position in the world and as the 3-8 highest ranked University in Spain, reaffirming its position as an institution at the forefront of national and international research. From the perspective of specialist areas in the ARWU rankings, the UGR is outstanding in Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence and Dentistry & Oral Sciences (ranked between 51th-75th position), Computer Science & Engineering, Education and Hospitality & Tourism Management (between 76-100th position), and in the areas of Food Science & Technology and Business Administration (between 101-150th position). A little lower in the ranking, the UGR also stands out in the areas of Earth Sciences, Law, Management, Nursing, Psychology and Statistics, in which the UGR is positioned in the 151-200th position.

Additionally, the UGR counts with 4 researchers at the top of the Highly Cited Researchers (HCR) list, most of them related to the Computer Science and Mathematics scientific areas. It is also well recognised for its presence in the top 200 Universities in Europe at 83th place.

Internationally, the University of Granada is firmly committed to its participation in the calls of the Framework Programme of the European Union. For the duration of the prevoius Framework Programme, Horizon 2020, the UGR obtained a total of 124 projects with a total funding of more than €30 million. For the current Framework Programme, Horizon Europe, the UGR has obtained 136 projects, so far, with a total funding of more than €38 million.

Brief description of the Centre/Research Group:

Our research group works in the field of pathophysiology (ion transport, alkaline phosphatase, inflammatory markers) and pharmacology (flavonoids, glycomacropeptide, oligosaccharides, bisphosphonates, corticosteroids) of inflammatory bowel disease and obesity/metabolic syndrome. Central to both is an alteration of the function of intestinal barrier, a fundamental element of intestinal homeostasis involved in inflammatory processes such as inflammatory bowel disease, but also many other intestinal and systemic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, acute pancreatitis, liver disease, sepsis, etc.

We use various cellular models, including intestinal organoids, and animal models, such as KO mice for the intestinal epithelial glucocorticoid receptor Nr3c1 (developed by our group), haplodeficient mice for tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (Alpl), immunodeficient mice Zucker rats, etc. The experimental techniques used include molecular techniques, FACS, immunohistochemistry, gene silencing, studies of electrolytic transport, metagenomics of fecal microbiota, pharmacogenomics, etc.

We have received about 650,000 € in the last 5 years, coming mainly from competitive public projects but also from contracts with companies and projects financed by foundations. Our group is a member of the Center for Biomedical Research in the Liver and Digestive Diseases Network (CIBERehd), which brings together the most prestigious groups active in the research of gastroenterology in Spain. Our publications profile is available at https://scholar.google.es/citations?user=Y0GzurEAAAAJ&hl=en

Project description:

Glucocorticoids (GC) are drugs frequently used to the treatment of multiple diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease. Despite their great effectiveness, GCs have important adverse effects, and in many cases the therapeutic response is insufficient or transitory. These limitations may be related to weakening of intestinal barrier function. In experimental models of colitis, although inflammation itself improves, there is a general deterioration in the condition of the animals, related to the unfavorable effects on the cells that line the intestine, that is, the intestinal epithelium. GCs impair lesion healing, which promotes the penetration of microorganisms from the intestine (translocation), systemic effects and deterioration of the state of the animals. Our group generated a transgenic mouse that does not have the epithelial GC receptor, impeding GC effects on these cells (NR3C1IEC-/- mice). We found that these mice are protected against most used model of experimental colitis (DSS colitis), and also in other models of disease that involve the intestine. This indicates that the epithelial actions of GCs are detrimental. Hence, it may be useful for patients treated with GC to minimize epithelial effects.

The main objective of the project is to improve the therapy of patients with GC. To this end, we first propose the evaluation of intestinal barrier function by measuring intestinal permeability markers in the plasma of patients exposed or not to GC treatment. For this purpose, we include an observational study in collaboration with the Hospital Virgen de las Nieves, as well as samples from the Andalusian Biobank. Secondly, we will study the role of GC synthesis (steroidogenesis) in the barrier function in the inflamed intestine. For this, we will use several strategies, including the determination of steroidogenic capacity in cultured intestinal epithelial cells (human and murine organoids and cell lines); use of our NR3C1IEC-/- mice, as well as mice that do not express HSD11B1, a key enzyme in the activation of GC precursors, and a specific inhibitor of this enzyme, in order to verify their influence in experimental colitis. We will also use the organoid transplantation technique to study barrier modulation and steroidogenesis within the normal colon. For this purpose, we will use organoids that do not express the GC receptor, overexpress CYPA11 (which increases steroidogenesis) or lack HSD11B1. Third, we will study the role of the epithelial GC receptor using NR3C1IEC-/- mice in an immobilization stress model. Fourth, we will address the study of the role of the microbiota of patients with intestinal inflammation on GC barrier modulation, as well as the causes of the difference in potency between different GCs at this level (which seems to be different from the conventional one in other tissues). Finally, we will characterize the effect of GCs in models of experimental colitis with limited epithelial damage (lymphocyte transfer colitis and in IL10-/- transgenic mice). Finally, the findings will be transferred to the clinical setting, patient associations and society in general.

Research Area:

• Life Sciences (LIFE)

For a correct evaluation of your candidature, please send the documents below to Professor Fermín Sánchez de Medina (fsanchez@ugr.es):

• CV
• Letter of recommendation (optional)