Looking for MSCA PF 2026 candidates: Universidad de Sevilla (Spain) - Department of pharmacology / School of Pharmacy

Professor Marina Sánchez Hidalgo, from Department of pharmacology / School of Pharmacy at the University of Seville, welcomes postdoctoral candidates interested in applying for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) in 2026 at this University. Please note that applicants must comply with the Mobility Rule. 

 Brief description of the Centre/Research Group 

Full Professor at University of Seville (US). Principal investigator in CTS-528 research group “Pharmacotherapy and Pharmaceutical care” and member of “Immunology” research group of IBiS/HHUU Virgen del Rocio. Since 2003, she has been carrying out experimental studies investigating pharmacodynamics of new targets and natural products with therapeutic interest in the immune system. Her research has focused on studying the effects of diets enriched in olive
oil on immune-mediated inflammatory diseases including ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, spondylarthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. She has been also involved in two challenge-collaboration projects investigating the efficacy of new mucoadhesive preparations in inflammatory digestive pathology. Her scientific trajectory is solid thanks to the competitive funding that has given rise to important projects. Particularly, she has involved in 11 research projects, being PI in 3 of them. She also has completed 3 international research stays at University of Texas, University of Southampton and University of Pernambuco. She has acquired great experience in molecular and cellular biology and biochemistry techniques. This background is supported by 106 publications (h-Index: 37;67.5 %Q1 JCR; Total citations:3.933) in prestigious international journals in the fields of Nutrition, Food Science and Technology and Pharmacology.

Project description

Epigenetic and Therapeutic Potential of Olive Bioactives in Autoimmune Inflammatory Diseases: Nutri-epi-Olive project proposes an innovative approach to investigate the therapeutic value of olive derived bioactive compounds—from extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) and olive leaves—as precision nutrition tools for autoimmune inflammatory diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and ulcerative colitis. Building upon evidence generated in previous projects, nutri-epi-olive project will explore how these compounds modulate key epigenetic mechanisms (DNA methylation, microRNA, histone acetylation) involved in chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation. The main objective is to identify shared and disease specific epigenetic biomarkers responsive to supplementation with olive derived molecules, and to determine their impact on target cells of the innate and adaptive immune system. Using
cellular and multi omics approaches, NutrEpi OLIVE will evaluate the capacity of these compounds to restore immunometabolic homeostasis and attenuate pathological processes. This project aims to establish a solid scientific basis for developing personalized nutritional strategies that could complement or enhance current therapies, contributing to precision medicine in chronic inflammatory diseases while promoting the valorisation of olive agro industrial by products.

Evaluation panel:

Life Sciences (LIF)

IMPORTANT: Applicants should check their elegibility to apply to the MSCA PF 2026 Call: 

• Any nationality (European Fellowship) / European national or long-term resident of a Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country (Global Fellowship)

• Be in a possession of a doctoral degree (PhD)

• Have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent experience in research, measured from the date of award of the doctoral degree

• Comply with the mobility rule: not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain (for European Postdoctoral Fellowships), or in the country of the host organisation for the outgoing phase (for Global Postdoctoral Fellowships) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.

 For a correct evaluation of your candidature, please send the documents below to Professor Marina Sánchez Hidalgo (hidalgosanz@us.es)

• CV 

• Recommendation letter

If you are ultimately selected to submit your application alongside Professor Marina Sánchez Hidalgo ,you will be able to benefit from the Coaching and Advising Programme offered by the International Projects Office at USE, providing additional resources and a proposal review service to the MSCA PF 2026 candidates.