Dissecting Host–Pathogen Interactions Using Advanced Human Co-culture Models for Personalized Antiviral Strategies - HOSTING OFFER – MSCA-PF 2025

The group “Immune responses to viral infections” lead by Dr. Ortega-Prieto and Dr Jimenez-Guardeno at the IBIMA Plataforma Bionand/ Universidad de Malaga in Malaga (Spain) is interested in hosting a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (European or Global). Marie Skłodowska-Curie projects are offered to be supervised by Dr Ortega-Prieto:

Dr. Ortega-Prieto is working as Principal Investigator at IBIMA Plataforma BIONAND. She earned her PhD from Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and held research positions at leading institutions including Imperial College London and King’s College London. Her research focuses on virus–host interactions, particularly in hepatitis B, HIV, and SARS-CoV-2. She employs state-of-the-art technologies, such as complex human primary cell systems. Her work has been published in high-impact journals including Nature Communications, Nature, and Nature Microbiology among others. She has led and participated in projects funded by the European Commission the Wellcome Trust, and Spanish national and regional government agencies.

Description of the center

IBIMA Platform BIONAND is a multidisciplinary research space in biomedicine and nanomedicine that is centered around the two largest hospitals located in Malaga (Regional and Virgen de la Victoria University Hospitals) and Primary Care Units of the Andalusian Public Health System, together with the biotechnological groups of the University of Malaga. This entity brings together 73 research groups, selected based on scientific excellence, and working on eight big research areas. IBIMA aims to promote research of excellence, oriented towards translational research, fostering transferable results to clinical practice, advancing in the improvement of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of the most prevalent health problems at the regional, national and international level. It enables the development and promotion of a space for cutting-edge research that contributes to the scientific basis of the programs and policies of the National Health System. In 2015, IBIMA obtained recognition from the National Ministry of Health as one of the Biomedical Research Institute of reference in Spain. In 2022, the Andalusian Centre for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology (BIONAND) was integrated into IBIMA, equipped with a nanoimaging Unit holding the distinction of “Singular Scientific and Technical Infrastructure” awarded by the Spanish Government, infrastructure unique in Spain and one of the most complete in Europe. The Institute is part of relevant European research infrastructures such us EATRIS (Biomarkers and ATMP platforms) and ECRIN (designated in 2022 as National Hub of ECRIN-ERIC by the Spanish Government), and also participates in more than 80 scientific and technological research networks, being a European reference in biomedical and translational research.

Description of the group:

The group focuses on understanding innate immune mechanisms during human viral infections, particularly hepatotropic and pandemic-relevant viruses. We employ primary human cell cultures, genetic editing (CRISPR), proteomics, bioinformatics, and advanced cell culture platforms, including 3D models and co-cultures.

Description of the project/projects:

  • Number of positions available: 1
  • Objective: Characterize antiviral immune responses using macrophage-based human co-cultures infected with respiratory viruses.

Description Principal Investigator

I am a researcher passionate about understanding how viruses work and how the human immune system responds to them, with the goal of finding new ways to combat infections and improve global health.

My career has taken me to Spain, Canada, and the United Kingdom, where I have gained over eight years of postdoctoral international experience at prestigious institutions. I began in Spain, where I specialized in studying antiviral strategies. I then spent time in Canada to get a deeper knowledge into the molecular mechanisms of viruses. Later, I spent more than eigth years in the UK, at universities such as Imperial College London and King’s College London, where I developed advanced models to study viral infections.

I have had the opportunity to publish in renowned scientific journals, collaborate with experts from around the world, and explore innovative treatments for diseases such as hepatitis, HIV, Zika, and COVID-19. I have also supervised master’s and PhD students, contributing to the development of new scientific talent.

Application Details

  • Foreseen job starting date: March 2026 (or later, depending on the GA signature)
  • Application deadline: 11 September 2025
  • How to apply: MSCA application website
  • Application e-mail: opi@ibima.eu;  ana.ortega@ibima.eu

Candidate profile

  • You are a highly motivated PhD. graduate, in your first 8 years of research experience in Virology, Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related areas field, looking for a hosting institution to apply for a Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship.
  • You have not resided or carried out their main activities in the country of Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the abovementioned deadline.
  • Your research expertise is related to Virology, Immunology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related areas

Required education level:

  • Required education level 1: PhD
  • Degree field: Microbiology, Immunology, Medicine, Biomedicine, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or related areas.

Required experience level:

  • Main research field: Virology and Immunology
  • Sub research field: Cell Biology and Molecular Biology
  • Years of research experience: Max. 8 years of postdoctoral experience

Required languages skills:

  • Language: English or Spanish
  • Language level: Fluent

Additional requirements:

  • Skills: Experience with cell culture, virology, or immunological assays
  • Specific requirements: Background in omics technologies and/or microscopy is desirable
  • Experience with primary human cells and human samples is a plus
  • Strong communication and collaborative skills

At the deadline for the submission of proposals (11 September, 2024), researchers:

  • shall be in possession of a doctoral degree.
  • must have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research, measured from the date of award of the doctoral degree.
  • must not have resided or carried out their main activities in the country of Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the abovementioned deadline.

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