FPU2026 - Air Pollution-induced Vascular Dysfunction

We seek a motivated candidate to prepare an application for an FPU 2026 predoctoral fellowship and, if awarded, undertake a PhD at the Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC) in Madrid. The project will investigate how air pollution interacts with physiological and genetic susceptibility factors to promote endothelial dysfunction and vascular ageing, and how these responses differ between females and males. Using mammalian cell culture, molecular and cellular biology techniques, advanced vascular models under physiological flow (organ-on-chip), and complementary animal models, the candidate will examine direct effects of particles and their soluble components as well as indirect signals generated by the lungs. Applicants should hold, or be close to completing, a Master’s degree in a life-science discipline and have an excellent academic record (≥8.5/10 or equivalent). We are seeking a candidate with previous experience in cell culture, molecular or cellular assays, animal models, physiology, toxicology, pharmacology, statistics, or omics; expertise in all areas is not required. We value good English, scientific curiosity, critical thinking, and motivation for a research career.