Fully Funded PhD in Pediatric Cancer & Oncolytic Virus Therapy | Spain 2026

Fully Funded PhD Position in Oncolytic Virus-Based Therapies for Pediatric Cancer | Spain 2026

Looking for a fully funded PhD opportunity in cancer research in Europe? The Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain, is inviting applications from highly motivated students for a PhD position in Oncolytic Virus-Based Therapies for Pediatric Cancer. This exciting project focuses on developing innovative virus-based treatments for high-risk pediatric solid tumors using cutting-edge molecular, cellular, immunological, and preclinical research approaches.

If you are passionate about cancer biology, virology, immunology, molecular biology, or translational medicine, this is an excellent opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking pediatric cancer research while working in a collaborative international research environment.

Position Overview

About the Research Project

Children diagnosed with high-risk solid tumors continue to experience poor clinical outcomes despite significant advances in cancer treatment. This PhD project aims to develop next-generation oncolytic virus-based therapies, which selectively infect and destroy cancer cells while stimulating anti-tumor immune responses.

The successful candidate will investigate how oncolytic viruses interact with the tumor microenvironment and identify mechanisms that influence therapeutic response. The project covers every stage of therapeutic development, from designing novel viral therapies to preclinical validation and mechanistic studies.

Research Responsibilities

As a PhD researcher, you will:

• Design and evaluate novel oncolytic virus therapies using both in vitro and in vivo preclinical models.

• Investigate treatment mechanisms using molecular, cellular, and immunological techniques.

• Analyze and interpret experimental data.

• Present research findings at laboratory meetings and international scientific conferences.

• Contribute to high-quality scientific publications.

• Participate in the complete development pipeline of innovative therapeutic strategies.

Required Qualifications

Applicants should have:

• MSc degree in:

  • Biology

  • Biochemistry

  • Biotechnology

  • Immunology

  • Biomedical Sciences

  • or a closely related discipline

• Strong motivation to pursue a PhD and research career.

• Excellent written and spoken English.

• Strong communication and teamwork skills.

• Excellent academic record suitable for competitive PhD fellowships.

• Willingness to work with animal models.

Preferred Qualifications

Candidates with the following experience are encouraged to apply:

• Cell culture

• Molecular biology

• Flow cytometry

• Immunology techniques

• Bioinformatics analysis

• Previous research experience

• Conference presentations

• Scientific publications

What the Institute Offers

Successful candidates will benefit from:

• Opportunity to contribute to innovative pediatric cancer therapies.

• Multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment.

• Access to state-of-the-art research facilities.

• Close scientific mentorship.

• Excellent career development opportunities.

• Funding support through competitive fellowship opportunities.

Required Application Documents

Applicants should submit:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Academic transcripts and research achievements

• Motivation letter describing research interests and career goals

• Contact details of two or three academic/professional referees

Email Subject: PhD application

Applications should be sent directly to the supervisor.

Application Deadline

Applications remain open until the position is filled.

Early application is strongly recommended because recruitment may close once a suitable candidate has been identified.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should email their application documents to:

Dr. Marc Garcia-Moure
Principal Investigator
Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Spain

Be sure to include:

• CV

• Motivation Letter

• Academic Record

• Referee Contact Information

Use the email subject:

“PhD application”

Email Address: [email protected]

Why You Should Apply

This PhD offers an outstanding opportunity to gain expertise in:

• Pediatric oncology

• Oncolytic virotherapy

• Cancer immunology

• Translational medicine

• Molecular biology

• Animal models

• Drug development

• Preclinical cancer research

Graduates from this project will develop highly competitive research profiles for careers in academia, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical research.