16 PhD Positions for Early-Career Researchers in New MSCA Doctoral Network – SHIELD

Information on how to apply for the PhD positions:

To learn more or to submit your application for each position, we invite you to visit the individual upcoming advertisements on the SHIELD website and LinkedIn page. Please remember that all applications must be submitted directly through the hosting institution by clicking on the application link included in each job description.

 

Description:

16 PhD positions available for highly motivated early-career researchers to be part of the new MSCA Doctoral Network – SHIELD

SHIELD Doctoral Network offers an exciting opportunity for 16 early-career researchers to contribute to transforming infection management in medical implants. Focused on addressing the challenges posed by implant-associated infections (IAIs), SHIELD aims to deepen our understanding of IAI mechanisms and develop innovative antibacterial biomaterials to improve patient outcomes.

Structured around three core scientific pillars—regenerative medicine, biomaterial science, and translational research models—SHIELD supports research on therapeutic strategies, novel antimicrobial materials, and experimental models that bridge laboratory discoveries to clinical applications. The program emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration across orthopaedics, otology, and odontology, integrating basic research with preclinical and clinical studies.

In partnership with 26 institutions across 11 countries, SHIELD aims to train 16 talented doctoral candidates (DCs) through an interdisciplinary approach that combines fundamental science, biomaterials development, and translational research. The network’s goal is to advance infection control protocols, improve implant safety, and reduce healthcare costs associated with IAIs.

 

Application details: 

• Number of positions: 16 PhD fellowships
• Application deadline: See specific DC application
• Starting date: See specific DC application. Latest 1^st March 2026
• Collaborating institutions: Multiple European universities, research centres and industry covering various multidisciplinary fields.

Join SHIELD and contribute to groundbreaking research that bridges the gap between innovation and clinical practice, ultimately enhancing patient care and advancing the field of infection control in medical implants.

 

Network coordinator:

1. GÖTEBORGS UNIVERSITET (UGOT), Sweden

Academic EU Beneficiaries:

1. KLINIKUM DER UNIVERSITÄT REGENSBURG (UHREG), Germany
2. TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DRESDEN (TUD), Germany
3. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN, NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, DUBLIN, (UCD), Ireland
4. UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO (UNITO), Italy
5. UNIVERSITETET I OSLO (UiO), Norway
6. FUNDACIÓN PÚBLICA MIGUEL SERVET (FMS), Spain
7. UNIVERSITAT AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA (UAB), Spain
8. THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (UCAM), United Kingdom
9. THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (UoB), United Kingdom
10. ANTHOGYR SAS (ANTHOGYR), France
11. ASHLAND SPECIALTIES IRELAND LIMITED (ASHLAND), Ireland

Partner organizations worldwide:

1. AMICOAT AS, Norway
2. OTICON MEDICAL AB, Sweden
3. AO-FORSCHUNGSINSTITUT DAVOS, Switzerland
4. UNIVERSITY OF LYON 1 CLAUDE BERNARD, France
5. ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS IN IRELAND, Ireland
6. HERAEUS MEDICAL GMBH, Germany
7. UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHAMPTON, United Kingdom
8. MONTANA STATE UNIVERSITY BOZEMAN, United States
9. CORTICALIS AS, Norway
10. YELLOW RESEARCH, Netherlands
11. UNIVERSITÄT REGENSBURG, Germany
12. UNIVERSIDAD PÚBLICA DE NAVARRA, Spain
13. HOSPICES CIVILS DE LYON, France
14. UNIVERSITY COLLEGE CORK – NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF IRELAND, Ireland

Doctoral candidates & funding: 

DC1 to DC15: Funded by each institution as a part of the MSCA program.

DC16: Funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI).

DC1, DC2, DC10: The PhD position will be extended to 4 years; the fourth year funded by Göteborgs Universitet, UGOT, Sweden.