Phd Call- Institutional call for the incorporation of Early-stage researchers

The Vall d’Hebron University Hospital Foundation – Research Institute VHIR makes its own and open call for a doctoral fellowship programme devoted to attracting early-stage researchers with a special interest in biomedical research who wish to carry out doctoral studies at VHIR.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of these grants is to train 4 doctoral candidates over a period of four years within the research groups of the Vall d'Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus environment.

The conditions of the call are established in compliance with the European Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R), which establishes the implementation of open, gender equality, transparent and merit-based recruitment measures, to contribute to the promotion of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI).

ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

• The VHIR PhD Call 2025 offers 4 fellowships for a 4-year pre-doctoral contract with expenses regulated to “Estatut del Personal Investigador en Formació” (EPIF) every year. Approximately, the gross annual salary will be 18.180€ for the first two years, 19.479€ for the third year, and 24.348€ for the fourth year. The VHIR PhD Call is funded through donations from Amics del VHIR.

DURATION

4 years

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR APPLICANTS

• Candidates must have the acceptance of a hosting VHIR research group at the closing date of application submission.
• Candidates should not have a PhD.
• Candidates must be in possession of a university degree and a master’s degree (in the fields of biomedical research, clinical research, epidemiology, management and evaluation of health services and technologies) or must hold an official university qualification from a country of the European Higher Education Area with a minimum of 300 ECTS of official university studies at the time of the fellowship application.
• Candidates performing or having completed the medical specialization (Formació Sanitària Especialitzada, FSE) accessing to a PhD program will not be eligible.
• Candidates must have finished the university studies (≥300 ECTS) between 1st January 2024 and the closing date of application submission.
• Candidates must have obtained a minimum average grade of the academic record of the studies of degree equal to or higher than 7.
• Candidates must have the pre-admission to a doctoral studies programme at the time of starting the grant.
• Candidates must not have held a PhD contract exceeding twelve months in any research institution previous to the closing date of application submission.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR’S (PI)

• PIs should have a PhD.
• PI should be affiliated to VHIR and have an active competitive project at the time of application. The project must be managed by VHIR, funded with ≥20.000€ and should cover at least 1 year of the fellowship. Extensions will not be considered as active
  competitive projects. Projects with PI and CO-PI figures can only be considerate in one candidacy.
• PI should have a link with the VH Campus during the entire fellowship. In case the PI dismiss the connection with the VH Campus the Committee will help the candidate to find a new supervisor.
• PIs will not be able to present a candidature if they are hosting a PhD researcher from a current VHIR institutional PhD fellowship (unless being in the last year).

DOCUMENTATION TO SUBMIT

Applications must be formalised by the applicant in his/her own name and interest and must be submitted via VHIR job offer website , by September 3rd 2025 at 14h.

The candidate’s application must be accompanied by the following documentation. Documentation must be sent numbered and named as indicated. 

1. Excel Template located on the VHIR web link. The name of this document must be: "1.VHIR_PhD_Call_Template_Surname”.

2. Detailed curriculum vitae of the candidate in normalised format (i.e CVN). Candidates must use the FECYT application for creating the document. The name of this document must be: "2.VHIR_PhD_Call_CVN_Surname”.

3. Bachelor's degree diploma or proof of payment fee. The name of this document must be: "3.VHIR_PhD_Call_Bachelor _Surname”.

4. Academic certificate with the average grade of the bachelor's degree and the termination date. In the case of studies carried out abroad, ANECA certification as specified in Clause 2.g. The name of this document must be: "4.VHIR_PhD_Call_Bachelor_ grades _Surname”.

5. Master’s degree diploma or proof of payment fee. The name of this document must be: "5.VHIR_PhD_Call_Master_Surname”.

6. Academic certificate/record of master's degree studies, including average grade and termination date. The name of this document must be: "6.VHIR_PhD_Call_Master_ grades _Surname”.

7. PDF document with the first page of the publications (and/or page(s) where the authors contribution appears). The name of this document must be: "7.VHIR_PhD_Call_Publications _Surname”.

8. PDF document that accredits the candidate’s non-academic internship periods, including start and end dates, and hours. The research institute should be identified, including Letterhead and/or Stamp of the institution and signature of the tutor/supervisor. The name of this document must be: "8.VHIR_PhD_Call_Interships _Surname”.

9. PDF document that accredits the candidate’s Erasmus+ internships, including start and end dates. The university should be identified, including Letterhead and/or Stamp of the institution and signature of the tutor/supervisor. The name of this document must be: "9.VHIR_PhD_Call_Erasmus _Surname”.

10. PDF document that accredits other merits: dissemination activities, prizes, grants, certificate of languages, attendance to seminars or scientific congresses, including poster presentation at VHIR, etc.). The name of this document must be: "10.VHIR_PhD_Call_Other_Merits_Surname”.

11. Acceptance letter of the hosting VHIR research group. Template located on the VHIR web link. The letter must be signed by the PI supervisor of the candidate and should include the date of signature. The name of this document must be: "11.VHIR_PhD_Call_Letter_Surname”.

12. If applicable, accreditation for the exceptional extension of the evaluable period for one of the reasons mentioned in Clause 2.e. of the Eligibility Criteria. The name of this document must be: "12.VHIR_PhD_Call_Extension _Surname”

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Candidates may submit their applications until September 03rd 2025.

For more information and documents please click on the below link:

Phd Call
 

We want to encourage you to apply to this call. Please, do not hesitate to contact us for anything you need at  laura.plata@vhir.org

What can we offer?

• Incorporation to Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), a public sector institution that promotes and develops the biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital (HUVH), the biggest hospital of Barcelona and the largest of Catalan Institute of Health (ICS).
• A scientific environment of excellence, highly dynamic, where high-end biomedical projects are continuously developed.
• Continuous learning and a wide range of responsibilities within a stimulating work environment.
• Individual training opportunities.
• Flexible working hours.
• 23 days of holidays + 9 personal days.
• Flexible Remuneration Program (including dining checks, health insurance, transportation and more)
• Corporate Benefits: platform through which you can obtain significant discounts on travel, culture, technology, gastronomy, sports... among many others.
• Healthy Offering: choose from a variety of wellbeing focused activities to be the healthiest you.

Deadline to apply: 03-09-2025

VHIR embraces Equality and Diversity. As reflected in our values we work toward ensuring inclusion and equal opportunity in recruitment, hiring, training, and management for all staff within the organization, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, functional diversity or ethnicity.