WhatsApp Channel
Telegram Group
🧬 Postdoctoral Researcher Position | NK Cell Immunotherapy for Cancer – Hospital del Mar Research Institute
Institution: Hospital del Mar Research Institute
Research Team: NK Cell Immunotherapy Team led by Dr. Aura Muntasell
Affiliation: Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
📍 Location: Barcelona, Spain
💼 Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
🔬 Research Area: NK Cell Immunotherapy | Cancer Immunotherapy | Cell Therapy | CRISPR/Cas9 | NK Cell Biology | Clinical Translation
The Hospital del Mar Research Institute, in collaboration with the Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), is recruiting a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the NK cell immunotherapy team led by Dr. Aura Muntasell.
The position will contribute to the development of an off-the-shelf, allogeneic TAR-NK cell product for cancer immunotherapy, combining NK-cell biology, advanced cell therapy manufacturing, genetic engineering, preclinical research, and clinical translation.
🔬 What You’ll Work On
NK Cell Therapy Development
Develop and standardize manufacturing processes for SMAD4-edited human NK cells, including expansion, genetic modification, and cryopreservation.
CRISPR/Cas9 Genetic Modification
Apply CRISPR/Cas9-based genetic modification approaches to primary human NK cells and support the development of engineered NK-cell products.
Cell Therapy Manufacturing
Contribute to the transfer and manufacturing of the clinical NK-cell product in collaboration with the Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya.
Preclinical Studies
Develop preclinical studies supporting IMPD submission, including pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, biodistribution, and efficacy studies.
Cancer Models
Conduct studies using colorectal cancer models to evaluate the therapeutic potential and performance of the engineered NK-cell product.
Product Characterization
Develop and optimize assays to assess the identity, purity, safety, and potency of the final NK-cell product.
🎯 Your Role
The appointed Postdoctoral Researcher will be responsible for:
- Developing and standardizing manufacturing processes for SMAD4-edited human NK cells.
- Performing primary human NK-cell isolation, culture, and expansion.
- Applying CRISPR/Cas9 genetic modification strategies.
- Supporting NK-cell cryopreservation and product manufacturing.
- Contributing to the transfer and manufacture of the clinical product.
- Developing preclinical studies supporting IMPD submission.
- Performing pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic studies.
- Conducting biodistribution and efficacy studies in colorectal cancer models.
- Developing and optimizing assays for NK-cell product characterization.
- Evaluating the identity, purity, safety, and potency of the final cell product.
- Performing multiparametric flow cytometry and immunological assays.
- Conducting NK-cell functional assays.
- Designing experiments and analyzing experimental data.
- Troubleshooting experimental procedures independently.
- Contributing to scientific discussions within a multidisciplinary research environment.
- Supporting scientific reporting and research documentation.
- Collaborating across NK-cell biology, cell therapy manufacturing, and clinical translation.
🧪 Research Focus
The research project focuses on the development of an off-the-shelf, allogeneic TAR-NK cell therapy for cancer treatment.
The major areas of work include:
- NK cell immunotherapy
- Cancer immunotherapy
- NK cell biology
- Human NK cell isolation and culture
- NK cell expansion
- CRISPR/Cas9 genetic modification
- SMAD4-edited NK cells
- Cell therapy manufacturing
- Cryopreservation
- Multiparametric flow cytometry
- Immunological assays
- NK-cell functional assays
- Preclinical cancer models
- Colorectal cancer
- Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
- Biodistribution studies
- Cell product characterization
- IMPD preparation
- Clinical translation
The project brings together NK-cell biology, genetic engineering, cell therapy manufacturing, preclinical evaluation, and clinical translation to support the development of a potential therapeutic NK-cell product.
👨🔬 Ideal Candidates
Applicants should have:
- A PhD in:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Biotechnology
- Biomedical Sciences
- Or a related field
- Experience with primary human NK-cell isolation and culture.
- Experience with multiparametric flow cytometry.
- Experience with immunological assays.
- Knowledge of NK-cell biology, expansion, and functional assays.
- Ability to independently design experiments.
- Strong data analysis and interpretation skills.
- Ability to troubleshoot experimental procedures independently.
- Good English communication skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
⭐ Required Experience
Candidates are expected to have experience in:
- Primary human NK-cell isolation and culture
- NK-cell expansion
- Multiparametric flow cytometry
- Immunological assays
- NK-cell functional assays
- Experimental design
- Data analysis
- Independent troubleshooting
➕ Additional Valuable Experience
Experience in one or more of the following areas will be considered an advantage:
- GMP-compliant cell therapy manufacturing
- Genetic modification of primary cells
- Electroporation
- CRISPR/Cas9
- Xenograft models
- Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models
- Humanized mouse models
- CMC development
- IMPD preparation
- Scientific reporting
- Project coordination
Previous GMP or clinical cell therapy experience is not essential.
🧬 Project Objective
The project aims to contribute to the development of an off-the-shelf, allogeneic TAR-NK cell product for cancer immunotherapy.
The research will focus on:
1. NK Cell Engineering
Develop and standardize the manufacturing process for SMAD4-edited human NK cells, including expansion, CRISPR/Cas9 modification, and cryopreservation.
2. Clinical Product Development
Support the transfer and manufacturing of the clinical product in collaboration with the Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya.
3. Preclinical Evaluation
Conduct pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic, biodistribution, and efficacy studies in colorectal cancer models to support regulatory and clinical development.
4. Product Quality Assessment
Develop assays to assess the identity, purity, safety, and potency of the final NK-cell product.
🏢 Research Environment
The position offers an opportunity to work within a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment at the interface of:
- NK-cell biology
- Cancer immunotherapy
- Cell therapy
- Genetic engineering
- Cell manufacturing
- Preclinical research
- Clinical translation
The project involves collaboration with the Banc de Sang i Teixits de Catalunya and the Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB).
🌟 What You’ll Gain
- Advanced experience in NK cell immunotherapy.
- Hands-on experience with primary human NK cells.
- Experience in NK-cell expansion and functional characterization.
- Practical exposure to CRISPR/Cas9 genetic engineering.
- Experience with cell therapy manufacturing processes.
- Exposure to GMP-compliant manufacturing environments.
- Experience with preclinical cancer models.
- Knowledge of pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic and biodistribution studies.
- Experience developing assays for cell-product quality assessment.
- Exposure to IMPD and clinical translation activities.
- Experience working at the interface of basic research and therapeutic development.
- Opportunity to contribute to research focused on innovative cancer immunotherapy.
- Development of interdisciplinary expertise spanning immunology, biotechnology, cell therapy, and translational research.
💼 Position Details
Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Institution: Hospital del Mar Research Institute
Research Team: NK Cell Immunotherapy Team
Team Leader: Dr. Aura Muntasell
Affiliation: Institut de Biotecnologia i de Biomedicina (IBB), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Research Area: NK Cell Immunotherapy for Cancer
Primary Fields: Immunology | Cell Biology | Biotechnology | Cancer Immunotherapy
Project Focus: Development of an off-the-shelf, allogeneic TAR-NK cell product
Qualification: PhD
Preferred Background: Immunology | Cell Biology | Biotechnology | Biomedical Sciences | Related Fields
Required Skills: Primary Human NK Cell Culture | NK Cell Expansion | Flow Cytometry | Immunological Assays | NK Functional Assays
Additional Skills: CRISPR/Cas9 | Electroporation | GMP Cell Therapy | Xenograft/PDX Models | Humanized Mouse Models | CMC | IMPD Preparation
Contract Duration: 1 year, extendable to 2 years
Application Mode: Email
Application Deadline: End of October 2026
Start Date: Not specified
📄 How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit an updated CV highlighting their relevant academic background, research experience, and technical expertise.
References may also be provided optionally.
Candidates should emphasize experience in:
- NK-cell biology
- Primary human NK-cell isolation and culture
- NK-cell expansion and functional assays
- Flow cytometry
- Immunological assays
- CRISPR/Cas9 or genetic modification
- Cell therapy manufacturing
- Preclinical cancer models
- Related translational research
Applications should be sent to:
Dr. Aura Muntasell
Email: amuntasell@researchmar.net
Application Documents: Updated CV and optional references
📅 Key Dates
Application Deadline: End of October 2026
Position Status: Recruiting
Contract Duration: 1 year, extendable to 2 years
PhD Requirement: PhD in Immunology, Cell Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, or related field
Start Date: Not specified
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Application: Submit an updated CV and optional references by email
📌 Job Details
Institution: Hospital del Mar Research Institute
Research Team: NK Cell Immunotherapy Team
Team Leader: Dr. Aura Muntasell
Affiliation: IBB, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
Position: Postdoctoral Researcher
Location: Barcelona, Spain
Research Focus: NK Cell Immunotherapy for Cancer
Research Areas: NK Cell Biology | Cancer Immunotherapy | Cell Therapy | CRISPR/Cas9 | Translational Research
Qualification: PhD
Required Experience: Human NK Cell Isolation & Culture | NK Cell Expansion | Flow Cytometry | Immunological Assays | Functional Assays
Additional Experience: GMP Cell Therapy | CRISPR/Cas9 | Electroporation | Xenograft | PDX | Humanized Mouse Models | CMC | IMPD
Project Application: Off-the-Shelf Allogeneic TAR-NK Cell Product
Contract: 1 Year, Extendable to 2 Years
Application Mode: Email
Application Documents: Updated CV | Optional References
Application Contact: Dr. Aura Muntasell
Application Email: amuntasell@researchmar.net
Start Date: Not Specified
Application Deadline: End of October 2026
Category
Postdoctoral Jobs | Hospital del Mar Research Institute Jobs | NK Cell Research Jobs | Cancer Immunotherapy Jobs | Immunology Jobs | Spain Postdoc Positions
🏷️ Tags
#Postdoc #PostdoctoralResearcher #HospitalDelMar #ResearchInstitute #NKCells #NKCellTherapy #CancerImmunotherapy #Immunology #CellTherapy #CRISPR #CRISPRCas9
Follow Biopractify for more & Join our community : https://chat.whatsapp.com/F38FNCU0nfvFCDf1mYJDbm
About The Author
