Hosting Information
- Offer Deadline: Fri, 30 Oct 2026 - 17:00
- EU Research Framework Programme: Horizon Europe - MSCA
- Country: Spain
- City: Alfara del Patriarca
Organisation/Institute
- Organisation / Company: University CEU Cardenal Herrera
- Department: Department of Pharmacy
- Laboratory: CRIDECO Cognitive Decline Screening to Promote Neuro‑Protected Cities
Contact Information
- Organisation / Company Type: Higher Education Institution
- Website: https://www.uchceu.es/
- Email: research@uchceu.es
- lmoreno@uchceu.es
- State/Province: Valencia
- Postal Code: 46115
- Street: Calle Assegadors 2
Description
UCH‑CEU is seeking excellent postdoctoral researchers interested in applying for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA‑PF 2026).
Hosting Research Group
The research group focuses on healthy ageing from a multidimensional and translational perspective, integrating biological, nutritional, cognitive and psychosocial determinants. A central research line investigates the role of gut microbiota in longevity and functional ageing.
The group leads a longitudinal multicentre study in nonagenarians and centenarians, an exceptional and underexplored population, combining microbiome profiling (16S rRNA sequencing), genetic analysis (ApoE), and comprehensive health assessment using validated multidimensional tools (DeCo-Booklet).
The team has strong expertise in clinical research, nutritional epidemiology and advanced statistical modelling, with access to well-characterised geriatric cohorts through institutional collaborations, as well as biobanking and bioinformatics infrastructure.
Scientific keywords
Gut microbiota; Nutrition; Healthy ageing; Multidimensional assessment; Longevity
Relevant publications and projects
- Teresa López de Coca, Lourdes Bosch, Victoria Villagrasa, Jakob Norgren, Sara Garcia-Ptacek, Moreno Lucrecia. Exploring associations Between Nutritional Intake and Cognitive Performance in Spanish older adults. Frontiers in Nutrition 2025- Nutrition, Psychology and Brain Health. 10.3389/fnut.2025.1680012.
- María Gil-Peinado, Juan Pardo, Mar García-Zamora, Gonzalo Miguel Adsuar-Meseguer, José Sendra-Lillo, Lucrecia Moreno. Evaluating the Rational Use of Antidepressant in Older Patients: A Comprehensive Analysis of Its Association with Cognitive Impairment. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2025, 16:1624989.doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1624989
- Teresa López de Coca, Francisco J. Muñoz, Juan F. Martinez-Blanch and, Lucrecia Moreno. Exploring gut microbiota alterations and their associations with clinical symptoms in fibromyalgia. Sci Rep 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-32101-y
- Teresa Lopez de Coca, Marta Sala-Climent, Lourdes Bosch, Nuria de las Heras, Francisco J. Muñoz-Almaraz, Lucrecia Moreno. Evidence of an anti-inflammatory diet as a key protector for subjective memory complaints in women. BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies 2025 https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-025-05195-0
- Teresa Lopez de Coca, Pablo Maya, Victoria Villagrasa and Lucrecia Moreno. Relationship Between Dietary Inflammatory Index, Diets, and Cardiovascular Medication. Nutrients 2025, 17, 1570. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17091570
Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID):0000-0002-9456-9649
SCOPUS Author ID: 35589037900
WoS Research ID: A-8648-2017
Research Project Description
This project aims to elucidate the role of gut microbiota as a key modulator of healthy ageing and longevity, focusing on individuals aged 90 years and older.
Building on an ongoing longitudinal multicentre cohort, the project will characterise gut microbiota composition and diversity and investigate its association with multidimensional indicators of health, including cognitive function, physical performance, emotional wellbeing and social factors.
A central objective is to identify microbial signatures associated with resilience and functional ageing, and to explore how modifiable factors—particularly dietary patterns, medication use and lifestyle—shape these microbial profiles. Special emphasis will be placed on the role of nutrition as a driver of microbiota composition linked to favourable ageing trajectories.
The project integrates high-resolution microbiome analysis (16S rRNA sequencing), genetic profiling (ApoE), and comprehensive phenotyping using validated multidimensional tools. Advanced statistical and bioinformatic approaches will be applied to identify predictive models of healthy ageing.
By focusing on an exceptionally long-lived population, this project provides a unique opportunity to uncover biological and environmental determinants of longevity. The expected outcomes include the identification of modifiable targets for intervention and the generation of evidence to support personalised strategies for promoting healthy ageing.
This research directly addresses European priorities related to ageing populations, prevention of cognitive decline, and sustainability of healthcare systems.
Research Area
Social Sciences and Humanities (SOC) | Life Sciences (LIF)
Application profiles
PhD in Biomedical Sciences, Nutrition, Microbiology, Pharmacology or related fields. Experience in microbiome research, epidemiology or ageing. Strong analytical skills required. Fluency in Spanish is mandatory due to direct interaction with elderly participants.
An expression of interest shall be sent to lmoreno@uchceu.es. (Attn.: Lucrecia Moreno), before 01/05/2026.
Your file should contain the following elements:
- A short CV (Max. 2 pages).
- A one-page research proposal.
- A short statement explaining why CEU would be the best host institution for your research.
- Two letters of reference.
For MSCA-PF 26 call, at the deadline for the submission of proposals (09/09/2026) candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activities in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the abovementioned deadline.
Those files received before 15th of June will be considered for MSCA-PF 2026 call. Applications received after this date, will be considered for other calls after discussion with the candidate.