The 'la Caixa' Foundation has awarded 100 new PhD and postdoctoral fellowships to outstanding researchers to carry out their projects at universities and research centers in Spain and Portugal, through its INPhINIT (PhD) and Junior Leader (postdoctoral) programs.

These prestigious fellowships, co-funded by the European Commission through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND Actions, aim to both retain and attract international talent in order to strengthen research excellence across the Iberian Peninsula.

Among the selected researchers is Juan Francisco Blández, who will carry out his postdoctoral project at the Crystal Engineering Lab (CEL), part of the Institute of Molecular Science (ICMol) at the University of Valencia. The CEL focuses on the development of new hybrid organic–inorganic materials through a crystal engineering approach, addressing not only the design and synthesis but also the advanced characterization of these materials. Their research spans different scales, from nanomaterials to crystalline solids, with a focus on studying fundamental properties and potential applications in biomedical and environmental fields.

Dr. Blández is an expert in the synthesis, characterization, and biomedical application of nanomaterials. He completed his PhD at the Polytechnic University of Valencia on the catalytic properties of graphene-based materials, followed by postdoctoral research on molecular probes for cancer and senescence. His career includes research stays in Japan and the University of Cambridge, as well as fellowships from national and international institutions. He is the author of over 25 scientific publications, co-inventor on a European patent. He now leads the RADIOGENE project at ICMol, focused on developing nanoplatforms for multimodal cancer therapies.

In addition to offering competitive salaries, these fellowships include a comprehensive training program. The INPhINIT program emphasizes scientific communication, researchers’ well-being, leadership, and funding opportunities, while the Junior Leader program is designed to promote independent scientific careers, fostering innovation and leadership as key elements of professional development.

During the award ceremony, held at the CosmoCaixa Science Museum in Barcelona, the general director of the 'la Caixa' Foundation, Josep Maria Coronas, stated:

“These fellowships are not only a top-level opportunity for the researchers who receive them, but also for society as a whole. By supporting their research, we are investing in disciplines that directly contribute to the well-being of citizens and the construction of a better future for all.”

 

The Foundation will allocate over €21 million to this cohort of fellows, which includes 53 Spanish and 47 international researchers from 19 countries. The fellowships have been distributed across nearly 60 research centers and universities in Spain and Portugal, with Italy, Portugal, and Germany being the most represented among the international awardees.