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.

The Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute is looking for a Group Leader to join our headquarters at the Can Ruti Campus to open a new research line focused on the fundamental mechanisms by which the bone marrow microenvironment supports blood cancer initiation, progression and relapse, from developmental processes to responses to stress and aging, with a strong focus on translational applications

RESEARCH DESCRIPTION

This position is designed for a visionary and established Principal Investigator to lead an independent research program focused on advancing our understanding of Hematopoietic niche biology pertinent to blood cancers. The successful candidate will leverage cutting-edge approaches to investigate the fundamental mechanisms governing hematopoiesis in hematological diseases, with a strong emphasis on translational potential.

Key research areas:

• Regulation of HSCs and their niche: cellular, molecular, biomechanical and metabolic mechanisms that govern benign vs malignant HSPC maintenance, self-renewal, and lineage choice.
• Developmental hematopoiesis and the origin of malignant HSCs: such as early epigenetic programming, and clonal hematopoiesis.
• Hematopoietic System Responses to stress, aging, and disease: how infection, inflammation, therapy-induced damage, or physiological stress remodel the niche and rewire pre-malignant and malignant HSPC behavior.
• How the hematopoietic niche protects blood cancer cells and enables disease relapse.
• Heterogeneity and plasticity of the microenvironment across anatomical sites: mapping the spatial diversity of marrow and extramedullary microenvironments and their plasticity in supporting malignant cells.
• Animal modeling and functional validation: advanced murine or other in vivo models such as conditional genetics, lineage tracing, CRISPR screens; in vivo imaging to characterize blood development and malignant progression; organoids to recreate and manipulate niche dynamics.
• Methodological innovation and translation: single-cell and spatial multi-omics, systems biology, computational modeling, biomaterials engineering, and integration with clinical cohorts, biobanks, or cell/gene therapy platforms for rapid translation.

This position is funded by the Severo Ochoa funds associated to the accreditation of excellence (CEX2023-001258-S) by the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades - Agencia Estatal de Investigación (MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033).

WHAT WE NEED

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Biomedical Sciences, or a closely related field.
• Significant postdoctoral research experience with a strong track record of impactful publications in leading peer-reviewed journals, with multiple first, co-first, or corresponding author papers.
• Demonstrated experience as an independent Principal Investigator (PI) or Group Leader in a highly competitive research environment.
• Demonstrated success in securing substantial competitive research funding as a Principal Investigator from national and international agencies.
• Proven ability to lead and manage a research team, including the successful supervision and mentoring of PhD students and postdoctoral fellows.
• International recognition as an expert in hematology/hematopoiesis or the bone marrow niche (invited talks, awards, editorial roles, grant panels).
• Active participation in the scientific community, including peer review for high-impact journals and grant agencies and organization of symposia.
• Advanced expertise in vivo animal modeling relevant to hematopoiesis, plus at least one of the following: single cell or spatial omics; advanced imaging and flow cytometry; genetic engineering/CRISPR and/or functional screens; organoid/organotypic/biomaterial platforms.
• Experience in intellectual property or translational research will be a plus.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Full time temporary contract (“Indefinido por actividades científico técnicas”) linked to the implementation of the strategic plan supported by the Severo Ochoa funds associated to the accreditation of excellence.
• Este contrato es parte de la ayuda #CEX2023-001258-S, financiado por MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.
• The selected Group Leader will receive a start-up package including personnel funding, dedicated laboratory space, and access to the state-of-the-art Core Facilities at IJC.
• Be part of a young, collaborative and international work environment with cutting edge technologies and interdisciplinary teams of scientists, including experts in medicine, immunology, genomics and bioinformatics.
• Exciting and innovative research projects covering from cancer genetics and epigenetics, immunogenomics and regulatory genomics, to precision‑medicine studies in transplantation, cell and gene therapy for blood cancers.
• The stimulating environment of the Barcelona metropolitan area Catalonia’s BioRegion ranked 5ᵗʰ in Europe and 8ᵗʰ worldwide for active clinical trials, with >1.700 oncology studies and a pipeline of 75 cancer therapies in development.

DEADLINE

Please submit your application by August 31st, 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.