MSCA-PF at Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga and Nanomedicine Platform BIONAND: Nutrition, endocrinology and coleroectal cancer

The group «EpiOncObesity: New Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Inflammation in Metabolic Diseases – Obesity, Diabetes, and Cancer,» led by Dr. Manuel Macías at the BIONAND Centre in Málaga, is interested in hosting a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow (MSCA-PF).

Three MSCA-PF research proposals are available under the supervision of Dr. Manuel Macías González.

Dr. Macías González is a senior researcher in the IBIMA-A02 group within Area 1: Cardiovascular Diseases, Obesity, and Diabetes – Environmental Determinants and Lifestyle, at the Biomedical Research Institute of Málaga – IBIMA-BIONAND Platform. He has been affiliated with CIBERobn (Center for Biomedical Research in the Obesity and Nutrition Network) since 2007 and has served as Co-Principal Investigator in its Nutrition Research Program since 2021. Additionally, since 2020, he has coordinated the Cellular Biology Laboratory at the Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital in Málaga.

Since 2014, Dr. Macías has been awarded multiple renewals under the Nicolás Monardes Program, supporting high-level biomedical research in the Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit (HUVV) of the Andalusian Public Health System. Within this unit, he has established a multidisciplinary research team that obtained Optimal Quality Accreditation in 2022 and renewed it in 2024. His group’s work has made significant contributions to both clinical practice and translational research.

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 Projects

Number of Positions Available: 1 per project (total: 3 positions)

  • Project 1 – NIMA:Nutritional, Inflammatory, and Muscular Assessment in Colorectal Cancer Patients. Objective: To investigate the interplay between nutritional status, systemic inflammation, and muscle mass/function in patients with colorectal cancer, aiming to improve clinical outcomes and personalized nutritional strategies.
  • Project 2 – SucroMet:Study of the Metabolic Impact of Sucrose (Natural Sugar) and Sucralose (Artificial Sweetener) Intake at Different Doses and Modes of Ingestion in Adults with Normal Weight, Overweight, and Obesity.  Objective: To analyze how varying amounts and methods of consuming sucrose and sucralose affect metabolic parameters in adults with different body mass index (BMI) profiles.
  • Project 3 – Epitranscriptomics and Diet:Effect of a Dietary Intervention on the Epitranscriptome (m6A) in the Development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease. Objective: To explore how specific dietary interventions influence RNA methylation (m6A modifications) and their potential role in the onset of type 2 diabetes in individuals with cardiovascular comorbidities.

Description Principal Investigator (education, research experience, publications, projects, ORCID ID, Researcher ID or other, international background, etc.) ¸ https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6475-4704

The Principal Investigator (PI) received predoctoral and postdoctoral training in Molecular Endocrinology at leading national and international biomedical research centers. He completed two postdoctoral stays between 1999 and 2003 at prestigious institutions: the Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf (Germany) and the University of Kuopio (Finland). In 2004, he was awarded a competitive Miguel Servet contract (ISCIII), later achieving senior researcher stabilization through the I3SNS-ISCIII program at IBIMA. In 2014, he obtained a position as a researcher linked to the Endocrinology and Nutrition Unit at the Virgen de la Victoria Hospital through the Nicolás Monardes Program (Andalusian Health Department), with two subsequent renewals (2018 and 2023).

Since 2005, the PI has led five consecutive FIS-ISCIII research projects, consolidating a research line focused on: “New cellular and molecular mechanisms of inflammation in metabolic diseases: obesity, diabetes, and cancer”. He is a founding member and co-leader of the Málaga node of CIBERobn (CB06/03/0018) and the IBIMA-A01 group on obesity, diabetes, and related comorbidities. Currently, he coordinates the Biomedical Research Laboratory at IBIMA-Plataforma Bionand in Virgen de la Victoria University Hospital.

The PI has an H-index of 40 (Google Scholar), with over 100 peer-reviewed publications —more than 50% as last or corresponding author in the last five years— in the fields of Endocrinology, Molecular Biology, Obesity, and Cancer. He has presented over 100 oral and written communications at national and international congresses (SEEDO, SEEN, ECE, EASO, ESMO, SEBBM), serving as organizer and moderator in several.

He has broad international experience as an expert evaluator for the EU and Ibero-America, and has participated in European projects (JPI, EASO), including as a management committee member in the COST Action CA16120 EPITRAN (2017–2021). This initiative aimed to secure competitive European funding for his project EpiOncObesity, focusing on epigenetic mechanisms in adipogenesis and carcinogenesis.

In terms of technology transfer, the PI has participated in 9 national patents, with 3 internationalized and 1 commercially exploited. He has also collaborated with international companies in tech-focused research and co-founded a biotech spin-off at the University of Málaga. He holds certifications in animal experimentation and a Master’s degree in biotech business training.

He has supervised 6 PhD theses and numerous master’s and undergraduate projects across Spanish universities. He has taught at various academic levels since 2016 and has directed the Master’s in Obesity and Diabetes at the University of Málaga since 2019. He promotes international training, mentoring Erasmus+ technical fellows and postdocs in Marie Curie (EU) and Fulbright (USA) programs.

As coordinator of the biomedical research lab, he has contributed to the development of hospital-based biomedical research infrastructure in Málaga, fostering multidisciplinary integration and advancing translational research in biomedicine.

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;  mmacias.manuel@gmail.com

Candidate profile

  • You are a highly motivated PhD. graduate, in your first 8 years of research experience in Biomedicine, Biotechnology, and Bioinformatic 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 InmunoOncology, NutriEpigenetic and Molecular Endocrinology

Required education level:

  • Required education level 1: PhD
  • Degree field: Biomedical Sciencie, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology

Required experience level:

  • Main research field: ENDOCRINOLOGIA MOLECULAR
  • Sub research field: Inmunoncology
  • Years of research experience: Max. 8 years of postdoctoral experience

Required languages skills:

  • Language: ENGLISH
  • Language level:A dvanced (C1) or Proficient (C2)

Additional requirements:

  • Skills: Expertise in single-cell and spatial transcriptomics techniques, molecular biology, and bioinformatics análisis,

Specific requirements: Experience with handling and analyzing high-throughput sequencing data, ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams, knowledge of lab safety protocols

At the deadline for the submission of proposals 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.

Important and contac information