Molecular Mechanisms of Childhood Leukemia Development

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our laboratory to study the early steps of development of childhood B-cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (B-ALL).

The postdoc will primarily work with genetically engineered, leukemia-predisposed mouse models to investigate how environmental and epigenetic factors drive leukemic transformation.

Responsibilities include mouse colony management, infection or other stressor exposure protocols, isolation and culture of pre-leukemic and leukemic B cells, and use of spectral flow cytometry, single-cell epigenomics and transcriptomics, and other state-of-the-art techniques, together with cell culture and more classic molecular biology approaches.

The position offers opportunities for collaboration with bioinformaticians and clinicians, and for translating murine findings into human samples.

Qualifications required

• PhD in Life Sciences and a strong track record of high quality biomedical research.
• Demonstrable strong hands-on experience with in vivo mouse work is a strict requirement: breeding, genotyping, handling, sample isolation, substance inoculation, etc. (Candidates must hold a current valid license permitting mouse experimental research in Spain).
• Familiarity with spectral flow cytometry acquisition and analysis, single-cell or epigenomic profiling techniques will also be of advantage.
• Background in hematopoiesis, immunology, leukemia, or epigenetics is highly desirable.
• Excellent organisational skills, ability to work independently and collaboratively, and good communication in English (spoken and written).

Background

In the context of the research project “Early Risk Detection in Children with Genetic Predisposition to Leukemia”, funded by the “la Caixa” Foundation CaixaResearch Health 2025 call, a position for a Postdoctoral Scientist is available in the Cellular Plasticity in Development and Cancer Group (Team Leader: César Cobaleda) at the Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBM) in Madrid.

• Fully funded, 2-years contract with a possible 3rd year extension, starting end-2025/beggining-2026 (Initial probation period: 3 months).
• Application Deadline: 5th December 2025.
• Please Note: the appointment must be processed via the CSIC Employment Portal (‘Bolsa de Trabajo’ https://www.bolsatrabajo.csic.es/bolsa_trabajo/?site_lang=en) so, before formalizing the Contract, previous registration in the Bolsa de Trabajo is essential.

For more details of our work see:

• Group website: https://www.cbm.uam.es/ccobaleda
• Publications: https://tinyurl.com/yxm65dzf
• Nat. Rev. Immunol. 2021: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33558682