The Respiratory Viruses Unit is seeking a highly motivated bioinformatician to study the genetic features, diversity, and evolution of respiratory viruses and other viral agents from a bioinformatics perspective.

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Predoctoral Fellowships (MSCA)

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Predoctoral Fellowships (MSCA) are part of the Horizon Europe programme and support predoctoral researchers in developing an original research and innovation project through international mobility.

DETECTIVE (Data driven Excellence in Training of Epidemiological, Clinical, Technological and Innovative Virus Experts) is an EU-funded MSCA training programme aimed at developing new, data-driven methods to anticipate, detect and respond to emerging viral threats at an earlier stage than before. Coordinated by Prof. Dr. Heli Harvala, Professor of Virology at the University of Turku in Finland, the network brings together 8 academic institutions and 14 associated partners from across Europe.

Within DETECTIVE, researchers will develop innovative methods used to detect emerging pathogens earlier, understand who is most at risk, and translate the complex multi-source data into real-time, evidence-based decisions and clinical applications. The project's overall goal is to establish a unified, end-to-end epidemic-intelligence framework, enhancing Europe’s capacity to respond to threats quickly and in a coordinated manner. This will be achieved by an integrated approach combining virology, evolutionary genomics, epidemiology, diagnostics and AI-based analytical methods.

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases represent one of the greatest threats to global health and societal stability in the 21st century. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated with unprecedented clarity how quickly novel pathogens can spread, overwhelm healthcare systems, and disrupt economies.

This doctoral project aims to develop and improve new tools for the rapid detection of viruses and the identification of novel viral and host markers in severe respiratory infections, through the application of omics technologies. The objective will be to contribute to the standardisation of the different diagnostic protocols used among the various laboratories and, at the same time, to discover and validate biomarkers associated with severe respiratory infections.

Main responsibilities and duties:

Education and qualifications:

Required:

• Hold a master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, genomics, data science, epidemiology, virology or related fields.

• Have a strong interest in infectious disease research and emerging pathogens.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level).

• Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

• Have not resided/carried out work or studies in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the March 1st, 2027.

Experience and knowledge:

Required:

Labour conditions:

Application deadline: 08-10-2026

How to Apply:

To be considered for this position, applicants must complete BOTH application steps by 8 October 2026.

Step 1: Complete the DETECTIVE Webropol Application Form

Complete the DETECTIVE Application Form and provide the following documents:

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages)

• Motivation Letter (maximum 1 page)

• Details for two referees

Access the application form here.

Step 2: Apply via the VHIR Careers Website

Applicants must also submit their application through the VHIR Careers Website via this vacancy.

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 organisation, regardless of gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, religion, age, functional diversity or ethnicity.

Information on Personal Data Protection:
Data Controller: Fundació Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca -VHIR-. Purpose: Personnel selection. Legal Basis: Your consent. Data retention period: One year. If you are selected, as long as the employment relationship is in force and legal responsibilities may arise. Data sharing: Does not occur, except for communications necessary to fulfill the purpose and those required by law to public and private bodies. Rights: You can access, rectify, delete, object to, and limit the processing of data, as well as request data portability where applicable, by contacting lopd@vhir.org. DPO: dpd@ticsalutsocial.cat. More information can be found here.
Data Protection Authority: APDCAT