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PhD Student
14 – Doctoral Candidates (MSCA CerebroMachinesTrain Doctoral Network) Full-time NEW
Applications are invited for 14 Doctoral Candidate (DC) positions across 9 European institutions: University of Galway (Ireland), POLYMAT (Spain), University of Trento (Italy), Petru Poni Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry (Romania), Technical University of Darmstadt (Germany), Microfluidic Innovation Center (France), Mimetas (Netherlands), React4Life (Italy), and ibidi (Germany) – see [Please click the Apply button for the link or address]) to pursue PhD education as part of MSCA CerebroMachinesTrain Doctoral Network (CMT-DN). The CMT-DN is coordinated by the University of Galway.
CMT-DN will train 14 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) in the state-of-the-art of Tiny Machines (TMs) and Vascularized bRAIN (ORGanoids)-on-chip models (VRAINORGs) for CerebroVascular Diseases (CVDs):
Tiny machines (TMs) offer precise drug delivery, enhancing bioavailability while protecting healthy cells. However, their application in the complex brain environment requires innovative designs. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme, the CMT-DN project aims to advance drug delivery systems by training researchers to PhD level. These future experts will focus on engineering TMs and developing brain-on-chip devices to improve treatments for cerebrovascular diseases. The project will then test the engineered TMs in 3D microphysiological non-animal technologies with integrated vascularised brain organoids (both healthy and diseased). These approaches promise to reduce the cost and time of pre-clinical animal studies while accelerating therapeutic development.
Overall, CMT-DN is a highly interdisciplinary, intersectoral, and international programme aiming to:
–> Fabricate and characterise brain-compatible TMs
–> Create VRAINORG platforms as healthy and CVD models
–> Elucidate disease mechanisms through the action of TMs on VRAINORGs platforms.
–> Provide advanced research skills training and career development through a range of relevant activities and networking opportunities, including annual summer schools, online seminars, conferences, and secondments.
The positions are available for 36 months full-time, and are funded through the Horizon Europe MSCA DN grant number 101227628, with the earliest start date expected in September 2026, or as specified in conjunction with the PhD program start at the institutional level.
Applications must be submitted through the CMT-DN website ([Please click the Apply button for the link or address]), where detailed information about the CMT-DN consortium, programme, and specific projects is available.
Closing date for receipt of all applications is 17:00 (Irish Time) on May 20, 2026. It will not be possible to consider applications received after the closing date.
Additional details can be found on the CMT-DN website ([Please click the Apply button for the link or address])