20 PhD Positions in MSCA Doctoral Network NATPRIME: Effective Delivery of NATs via Nanocarriers

20 Fully Funded PhD Positions in MSCA Doctoral Network NATPRIME: Effective Delivery of Nucleic Acid Therapeutics via Designed Nanocarriers

Employer: MSCA NATPRIME Doctoral Network

Location: Europe – Country dependant on the project (see below for more information)

Salary: Competitive based on MSCA regulations for doctoral candidates (€3400/month for 36 months, €600/month for mobility allowance, €660/month family allowance. Country coefficients and tax will apply. The funding is for 36 months and each Doctoral Candidate will be enrolled for a 3/4 year structured PhD)

Closing Date: 14^th December

Ideal Start date: January – March 2025 (later start dates such as summer 2025 might be possible for some projects) 

Website: https://www.natprime.org/

Apply through our website: https://www.natprime.org/application-form 

Discipline: Chemistry, biology, physics, genetics, pharmaceutical sciences and material science

Job type/Degree: PhD Position

Employment: Full time

Duration: Fixed term (3-4 years)

Requirement/qualification: Masters

Sector: Academia

OPEN CALL FOR 20 Doctoral Candidates in MSCA Doctoral Network “NATPRIME”

Description/Job information: Nucleic acid therapeutics have proven their early success during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Nucleic acids are a precious cargo that needs to be delivered ideally to a specific tissue or an organ within the human body. However, there are several challenges to achieve this effectively and utilization of nanocarriers are required. To work on these exciting challenges and to get an interdisciplinary training in this area, we will be hiring doctoral candidates with a background in chemistry, biology, physics, genetics, and material science.

We are looking for 20 ambitious, curious, creative, energetic, fresh bright minds to take part in the research and training activities on effective delivery of nucleic acid therapeutics using nanocarriers. The programme has started on 1st of October 2024 and ready to hire the doctoral candidates within the next 6 months. The team of academics and companies in this network have a great experience in this area and offer a complementary training and research.  Doctoral candidates will take part in creating the first steps of new molecular approaches for futuristic medical treatments. 

Our Offer and benefits: The successful candidates will receive an attractive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for recruited researchers. The exact (net) salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States and the UK). The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance and a family allowance (if applicable). The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months (EC funding or UKRI funding, additional funding is possible, depending on the local supervisor, and in accordance with the regular PhD time in the country of origin). In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.

Eligibility requirements: Recruited researchers can be of any nationality. As equal opportunity employer, we seek to increase diversity and to create an inclusive environment, and do not discriminate based on race, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.

Doctoral candidate must be eligible to be enrolled into Doctoral Program at that University and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. The researcher must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc) in the country of their employer for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. (THIS MOBILITY RULE IS VERY IMPORTANT)

The applicant ideally must be in possession of Master of Science (MSc) diploma at the beginning of the employment. They should have sufficient English Language proficiency (such as IELTS, TOEFL score).

Locations and Dates: We will be hiring 20 doctoral candidates (DC) in the following locations:

DC Project Number                Country               Company/Institute                        Supervisor

DC1                                           Germany             University of Freiburg                  Prof. Laura Hartmann

DC2                                           Belgium               University of Ghent                       Prof. Bruno De Geest

DC3                                           Denmark            Statens Serum Institute and University of Copenhagen   Dr. Dennis Christensen and Dr. Rasmus Munter

DC4                                           Germany             University of Freiburg                  Prof. Laura Hartmann

DC5                                           Netherland       Eindhoven University of Technology                  Prof. Jan van Hest

DC6                                           France                   University of Bordeaux                                 Prof. Sebastien Lecommandoux

DC7                                           Germany             Max Planck Institute of Biophysics                     Prof. Petra Schwille

DC8                                           Netherland       Eindhoven University of Technology                  Prof. Jan van Hest

DC9                                           France                   University of Bordeaux               Prof. Sebastien Lecommandoux

DC10                                        Germany             Max Planck Institute of Biophysics                     Prof. Petra Schwille

DC11                                        Sweden                Astra Zeneca and University of Freiburg        Dr. Joanna Rejman and Dr. Marianne Ashford

DC12                                        Spain                      Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe        Prof. Maria Vicent

DC13                                        Turkey                    RSR and Bogazici University                   Prof. Rana Sanyal and Prof. Amitav Sanyal

DC14                                        Spain                      Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe        Prof. Maria Vicent

DC15                                        Belgium               University of Ghent                       Prof. Bruno De Geest

DC16                                        UK                             University of Warwick                 Prof. Remzi Becer

DC17                                        UK                             University of Warwick                 Prof. Remzi Becer

DC18                                        UK                             University of Warwick                 Prof. Sebastien Perrier

DC19                                        UK                             University of Strathclyde          Prof. Yvonne Perrie

DC20                                        UK                             Imperial College London         Prof. Robin Shattock

We are expecting to contact/shortlist/interview suitable candidates for each position by December 2024 for a start date in January/March 2025. If we cannot find a suitable candidate in the first round, we will re-advertise for the remaining posts until filled. The first cutoff date on the collection of the applications is the 14th of November 2024 but the applications will be open until all positions are filled. You can follow the progress on our website. 

Application procedure: Please apply via the http://www.natprime.org website where the application form is available. Candidates will be shortlisted after the closing date and be invited for the 1^st stage.

More information: This network is funded jointly by the European Union Horizon Europe MSCA and UK Guarantee Scheme. Further information can be found on www.natprime.org and for any enquiries please contact us on [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you.