PhD researcher: Predicting microprotein functionality through evolutionary analysis (ORFeus DC8)

This 36-month salaried PhD in Mar Albà’s group investigates which recently evolved microproteins have biological functions. The researcher will integrate ribosome profiling, phylostratigraphy and population genetic data from gnomAD and UK Biobank to predict evolutionary constraint. Candidate functions will be tested through CRISPR-Cas9 screens in cancer cell lines, assessing growth, drug resistance and DNA repair. Validated models and datasets will contribute to the ORFeome platform.

The project includes collaboration with Simon Elsässer’s group, doctoral enrolment at Universitat Pompeu Fabra and an industry secondment of approximately three months. Indicative gross monthly pay is €2,749.48 plus a €509.22 mobility allowance and, when eligible, a €473.36 family allowance. The network expects positions to start around March 2027; applications close on 22 October 2026.

Master’s or equivalent in bioinformatics, computational biology, genetics or a related field; strong programming and data-analysis skills and good English. Applicants must be eligible for doctoral enrolment and must not hold a doctorate. The MSCA mobility rule permits no more than 12 months living or carrying out main activity in Spain during the preceding 36 months, subject to the stated exceptions. Candidates of any nationality may apply. Rank no more than three ORFeus projects.