The Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute (IJC) is a comprehensive cancer research center dedicated to conduct research and drive innovation in the epidemiological, preventive, clinical, translational, and basic aspects of leukaemia and other hematologic malignancies, with the final aim of finding a cure for these diseases. It was created in 2010, and since then has experienced an exponential growth.

The IJC is also part of the network of Excellence Research Centers of Catalonia (CERCA) and was accredited as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence by the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities in 2024. Since 2018, the Institute has also been accredited by the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (FCAECC) Additionally, IJC is one of the centers integrated into the Institut de Recerca Germans Trias i Pujol (IGTP) accreditation as Accredited Health Research Institute (IIS) by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII).

The IJC's main headquarters is located within the Can Ruti Biomedical Campus, alongside other leading biomedical institutions, providing direct access to cutting-edge scientific and technological facilities, as well as complementary community services. The IJC has six locations integrated into reference hospitals: Hospital Germans Trias i Pujol, Hospital Clínic, Hospital Sant Pau, Hospital Josep Trueta, Hospital del Mar and Hospital San Joan de Déu. This facilitates close collaboration between basic and clinical researchers, fostering translational research that integrates basic science with clinical practice in clinical settings.

We are seeking a Predoctoral Researcher for T-ALL Team/ALL Group, under the supervision of Dra. Eulàlia Genescà.

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

The biological landscape of T-ALL is now extensively mapped. Genomic analyses have identified over 100 genetic alterations. Ten key recurrently mutated pathways include transcriptional regulation (91%), cell cycle and tumor suppression (84%), NOTCH1 signaling (79%), epigenetic regulation (68%), PI3K-AKT-mTOR (29%), JAK/STAT (25%), RAS (14%), ribosome function (13%), ubiquitination (9%), and RNA processing (9%). Despite this deep molecular insight, predicting therapeutic response based on genomics alone has proven unreliable. The dynamic interaction of multiple cellular pathways in vivo means that the biological behavior of leukemic cells often defies predictions based on static molecular profiles. Thus, while genetic data alone may not guide treatment decisions effectively, functional precision medicine offers a promising alternative. The ALL-TARGET project builds directly on this foundation. It proposes a pragmatic, randomized controlled trial comparing standard-of-care treatment with three predefined targeted therapeutic options (TTOs) based on repositioned drugs. Central to the trial is a precision medicine arm where treatment allocation is guided by a functional drug testing assay, integrating phenotypic and genomic profiling with ex vivo sensitivity results.

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES

• Drug screening on cell lines and primary samples.
• Identify signaling pathways and biomarkers of drug response.
• Establish genetic–phenotypic correlations to drug response.
• Validation of the results in a in vivo model.

WHAT WE NEED

• Experience in drug screening and cell culture.
• Motivation in biomedical research, proactivity, analytical capacity, team building.
• High level of collaborative and communicative skills.
• Good level of English speaking and writing skills (required).
• Good performance of management in R will be extra considered.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Full time contract.

• Be part of a young, collaborative and international work environment with cutting-edge technologies and interdisciplinary teams of scientists, including experts in medicine, genomics and bioinformatics.
• The stimulating environment of the Barcelona metropolitan area.
• Opportunity for professional growth in an advanced research environment.

DEADLINE

Please submit your application by August 18th, 2025

WHO WE ARE?

What makes us different?

The mission of the Josep Carreras Institute is to conduct research and drive innovation in the epidemiological, preventive, clinical, translational, and basic aspects of leukaemia and other hematologic malignancies, with the final aim of finding a cure for these diseases.
The IJC’s vision is to be a world-class reference and excellent research multicampus that contributes to the improvement of results, and the cure of patients affected by leukemia and other malignant hemopathies, through innovation, sustainability, social responsibility, talent, and professional experience.

HR Excellence

In 2019, IJC was honored with the “Human Resources Excellence in Research Award” by the European Commission, recognizing the alignment of our human resources policies with the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) guides research centers of excellence in implementing and upholding these standards within their policies, emphasizing training, professional development, and mobility opportunities.
The IJC’s commitment to these values and principles strengthens our internal policies and ensures that our members have the optimal conditions and environment for their professional development.
The Board of Trustees is composed of representatives of the Generalitat de Catalunya (regional government), University of Barcelona, Autonomous University of Barcelona, the City of Badalona and the Jose Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation
The Catalan government provides hard money on an annual basis. The Jose Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation provides start-up funds, project funds as well as financial support for investments.
The JCI has an international scientific advisory board served by prominent researchers from US and Europe.
The IJC has been awarded ERC and other EU grants.

The IJC is an equal-opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or other legally protected characteristics.