Precision modelling of FHHNC using patient-derived kidney organoids for mechanistic and therapeutic discovery
VHIR is seeking an outstanding and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to apply for a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship and join the Kidney Pathophysiology Research Group.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF)
The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) are part of the Horizon Europe programme and support postdoctoral researchers in developing an original research and innovation project through international mobility.
The programme aims to strengthen researchers’ careers through excellent science, international collaboration and interdisciplinary experience, while fostering integration in both academic and non-academic environments. The MSCA-PF call is highly competitive and represents an excellent opportunity to attract international talent and support researchers in consolidating their scientific careers through an ambitious mobility-based fellowship.
The 2026 call closes on 09/09/2026 (17:00 Brussels time). For candidates applying to a European Postdoctoral Fellowship, the fellowship duration is from 12 to 24 months
Full eligibility details: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026
Background
Familial hypomagnesemia with hypercalciuria and nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC) is a devastating ultra-rare renal tubulopathy caused by loss-of-function mutations in CLDN16 and CLDN19. The disease leads to severe magnesium and calcium wasting, nephrocalcinosis, and progressive chronic kidney disease, often culminating in renal failure at a young age. Additionally, patients carrying CLDN19 mutations develop early-onset ocular defects, causing lifelong visual impairment. Despite its severity, no disease-modifying therapies or specific prognostic biomarkers are currently available. A striking feature of FHHNC is its marked phenotypic variability, even among siblings carrying identical mutations, particularly in Southern European patients harbouring the prevalent CLDN19 founder mutation p.G20D. This suggests the involvement of additional molecular mechanisms, including modifier genes and dysregulated pathways, which remain poorly understood.
Our group has established one of the largest and best-characterised FHHNC cohorts worldwide and pioneered an interdisciplinary strategy combining clinical research, molecular profiling, and artificial intelligence to uncover mechanisms and therapeutic opportunities in FHHNC. Using patient-derived molecular data integrated with AI-based network medicine approaches, we identified novel phenotype modifier genes, disease-associated urinary exosomal miRNA signatures, and multiple candidate drugs and synergistic drug combinations with therapeutic potential. Building on these findings, we recently generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from two siblings carrying the homozygous CLDN19 p.G20D mutation but displaying markedly divergent renal and ocular phenotypes. Together with our unique CLDN19 p.G20D knock-in mouse model, these resources provide an unprecedented platform to investigate FHHNC pathophysiology. In this project, patient-derived genetically engineered kidney organoids will be used as advanced human 3D models to dissect disease mechanisms, understand phenotypic variability, and evaluate therapeutic candidates in a precision medicine framework. By integrating stem cell technology, genome engineering, and translational nephrology, this project aims to deliver transformative insights and accelerate therapeutic innovation for this unmet rare disease.
Objective
The main goal of this project is to develop and exploit genetically engineered patient-derived kidney organoids to unravel the molecular mechanisms driving FHHNC, with a particular focus on phenotypic variability and sex-specific disease mechanisms, and to accelerate the identification of novel precision medicine strategies through drug repurposing and advanced human disease modelling.
Our Group
The Kidney Pathophysiology Research Group at VHIR focuses on understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying rare and chronic kidney diseases, with a special emphasis on inherited tubulopathies, epithelial dysfunction, fibrosis, and the progression of chronic kidney disease. The group develops highly translational research programs integrating clinical data, experimental biology, and computational approaches to identify disease mechanisms and novel therapeutic opportunities. One of the group’s main research lines focuses on Familial Hypomagnesemia with Hypercalciuria and Nephrocalcinosis (FHHNC), an ultra-rare inherited renal disease caused by mutations in CLDN16 and CLDN19 Over the last decade, the group has established one of the largest and best-characterised FHHNC patient cohorts worldwide and pioneered interdisciplinary approaches combining molecular biology, artificial intelligence, and translational nephrology to investigate disease progression and therapeutic strategies. The group has generated unique experimental platforms, including patient-derived iPSC lines and the first CLDN19 p.G20D knock-in mouse model available for FHHNC research. In parallel, strong collaborations with clinicians, computational scientists, and patient advocacy organisations ensure a highly collaborative, multidisciplinary, and patient-oriented research environment with direct translational impact.
Preparation of an MSCA proposal focused on translational research in rare renal diseases using advanced in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo models
The project will combine stem cell technology, functional genomics, disease modelling, and therapeutic evaluation in the context of inherited renal tubulopathies and epithelial dysfunction.
Work within a multidisciplinary and highly translational environment integrated into the Paediatric Nephrology Service of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital
Close interaction between clinicians and basic researchers, providing a unique framework to translate experimental discoveries into clinically relevant applications.
Applicants must hold a PhD degree or have successfully defended their thesis before the call deadline (09/09/2026)
Applicants must comply with the mobility rule, meaning they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work/studies) in the host country for more than 12 months during the 36 months prior to the call deadline.
Formal training in animal experimentation (EU Directive 2010/63/EU or equivalent certification).
Fluency in English (business level).
Prior postdoctoral experience in cardiovascular research or metabolism. Official accreditation for work with laboratory animals.
Applicants must have a maximum of 8 years of postdoctoral research experience by the call deadline. This means candidates are generally eligible if they obtained their PhD on or after 10/09/2018 (possible extensions may apply, e.g. parental leave or long-term illness).
Experience with advanced experimental techniques (e.g. imaging, molecular biology, omics analysis, or functional assays).
Knowledge of epithelial cell biology and/or experimental models of disease.
Hands-on experience with animal models of disease.
Ability to design, perform, and analyse experimental research independently.
Previous exposure to translational research environments or clinical collaboration frameworks.
Ability to work in multidisciplinary and collaborative research environments.
Experience with organoid systems and/or human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC).
Knowledge of kidney physiology, tubular epithelial biology, or fibrosis-related mechanisms.
Experience with organoids and/or hiPSC-derived systems.
Familiarity with translational research or drug evaluation pipelines.
Ability to integrate multi-level experimental data (cellular, molecular, and in vivo).
Deadline to apply: 31-07-2026
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
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We are a public sector institution that promotes and develops the biomedical research, innovation and teaching at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, the hospital of Barcelona and the largest of Catalan Institute of Health (ICS). The members of our Board of Trustees are the Catalan Ministry of Health, the Catalan Ministry of Economy and Knowledge (we are a CERCA center), Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Bank of blood and tissues, the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), of which we are an accredited research institute, and the Vall d'Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), which together with VHIR is part of Accredited Institute of Campus Vall d’Hebron Institute by the Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII).
Since its creation in 1994, VHIR works to find solutions to the health problems of society, and contribute to spread them around the world. In more than 20 years we have achieved leadership in biomedical research at hospitals in our country, and we want to be recognised in 2020 as an excellent and competitive European Institute leader in clinical and traslational research linked to a university hospital.
In our institute are working more than 1,300 people, of which over 1,200 doing research and others, around 100, help to do it or transfer it to the society once made, whether in the form of projects, technology transfer and innovation, communication or fundraising, among others.
The best of our institution and its research staff is doing research to solve people’s health problems. Our task is not only basic or translational, we are leaders in clinical research. We have the beds of the hospital separated in less than 50 meters of laboratories and our patients will benefit from our research. In this we believe, and our efforts are focused on it. This is understood by industry leaders who are committed to our hospital, making it a world reference for its first clinical trials.
