MSCA PF 2026 hosting in Metabolomics of Human Fertility

CEMBIO was established to deliver top‑level research in metabolomics applied to a wide range of biomedical challenges. Our team brings together more than 35 international, diverse and highly dynamic researchers working in an interdisciplinary environment. We are proud to have hosted several MSCA fellows, integrating them smoothly into our extensive network of international collaborators.

Our infrastructure includes three fully equipped laboratories. Two of them are dedicated to sample preparation, featuring advanced tools such as ultrasonic devices, vortex mixers, stirrers, cryogrinders, tissue lysers, vacuum evaporators and controlled-environment workstations. The third laboratory houses our complete suite of state‑of‑the‑art MS‑hyphenated analytical platforms from Agilent Technologies.

Your MSCA fellowship would be jointly supervised by Prof. Coral Barbas and Dr. Víctor González, two leading researchers in metabolomics and advanced analytical strategies. 

Prof. Coral Barbas is an internationally recognised expert in multiplatform metabolomics (GC‑MS, LC‑MS, CE‑MS) and biomarker discovery. She has been visiting Professor at Imperial College London, and has held key roles in international scientific committees. 

Dr. Víctor González brings strong expertise in LC‑MS and CE‑MS method development, data treatment and green analytical chemistry. He received the prestigious Atracción de Talento Fellowship (2023), a programme that recognises researchers with outstanding potential and capacity to lead innovative scientific lines. 

Research Project

Human subfertility and infertility are increasingly recognised as major global health challenges. Declining fertility rates, the growing prevalence of reproductive disorders, and the limited understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying many forms of infertility highlight the need for innovative research approaches. In this context, metabolomics provides a powerful framework to explore the biochemical processes underlying reproductive health, enabling the discovery of novel biomarkers and mechanistic insights that may ultimately improve diagnosis and clinical decision-making in reproductive medicine. 

The DARKFERT research group at CEMBIO focuses on advancing metabolomics and analytical chemistry methodologies to address key questions in human fertility. Our interdisciplinary environment combines innovative analytical chemistry, cutting-edge mass spectrometry platforms, and advanced data science to investigate the molecular complexity of reproductive biology within a dense network of international collaborations including academic, clinical and industry partners.  

Current research lines cover highly relevant areas at the interface of metabolomics and reproductive medicine. These include the characterization of seminal plasma as a non-invasive matrix for reproductive health assessment, particularly in azoospermia; the investigation of metabolic signatures associated with endometriosis to enable earlier diagnosis; and the analysis of embryo culture media to better understand early embryo development and implantation potential. Through these projects we aim to identify novel biomarkers, unravel disease mechanisms, and contribute to more personalized reproductive medicine. 

Applicants are encouraged to submit an expression of interest to coral.barbas@ceu.es and victor.gonzalezruiz@ceu.es(Attn.: Prof. Coral Barbas and Dr. Víctor González-Ruiz). The application should include the following documents:

• A short CV (Max. 2 pages)

• A one-page research proposal

USP‑CEU is a competitive and supportive host institution for MSCA‑PF candidates, with a strong track record including 10 awarded fellowships, an exceptional 100/100 score, and two recent successes in the MSCA‑PF 2025 call. We offer personalised guidance throughout the proposal preparation process, as well as our International Talent Retention Programme, which provides successful MSCA Fellows with an additional 6–12‑month contract to support long‑term career development.

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/hosting/msca-postdoctoral-hosting-metabolomics-human-fertility