1 full-time Doctoral Candidate

Organisation/Company “G. d’Annunzio” University Chieti-Pescara Department DEPARTMENT OF PHARMACY Research Field Chemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 16 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Rome) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101227308 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Intrabrain is an innovative multinational, multisectorial, and multidisciplinary research and training programme that aims to create more efficacious vaccines using polymeric nanoparticles and self-assembled nanoplatforms in combination with modified oncolytic viruses to be used in glioblastoma. The DC will be based at the Department of Pharmacy at Università degli Studi “G. d’Annunzio” Chieti – Pescara (G. d’Annunzio University Chieti – Pescara, Italy – Ud’A). He/she will support the following INTRABRAIN activities: development of nanoparticle formulations for virus protection and enhanced transfection, with a focus on improving antitumour efficacy in glioblastoma model, under the main supervision of Professor Piera Di Martino. The DC 4 will focus on (i) formulate PLGA nanoparticles loaded oncolytic virus; (ii) promote transfection of glioblastoma cells; (iii) demonstrate antitumour efficacy to glioblastoma cell lines. In detail, the candidate will (i) investigate the encapsulation efficacy of an oncolytic virus into PLGA nanoparticles produced under different techniques; (ii) characterise physicochemically the produced PLGA nanoparticles loaded oncolytic virus; (iii) demonstrate the transfection and antitumor efficacy in glioblastoma cell model.

The project offers the DC research and training excellence at the intersection of oncology and immunology. The partners of Intrabrain are leading research groups in molecular oncology, immunology, molecular patho-biology, biology and data analysis and their research institutes actively promote young researchers.

• Hold a Master’s degree or an equivalent qualification granting access to PhD programmes, awarded no more than six years prior to the deadline of this public notice, without prejudice to any periods of suspension or derogations provided for under the applicable legislation;
• possess an adequate scientific background consistent with the required research profile

Specific Requirements

Please see the job offer for more details.

Languages ENGLISH

Research Field Chemistry Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

Additional Information

The remuneration shall be determined on the basis of the budget allocated to the “G. d’Annunzio” University Chieti-Pescara under Grant Agreement No. 101227308 for the appointed researcher and shall comprise the following gross-to-employer amounts, calculated for the entire duration of the Research Appointment:

• Living allowance: € 137.575,08
• Mobility allowance: € 25.560,00
• Family allowance: € 17.820,00 (only where applicable and for the periods during which the relevant MSCA eligibility conditions are met).

Eligibility criteria

MSCA Eligibility Criteria and G. d’Annunzio University Chieti ‑ Pescara Recruitment/Exclusion Criteria.

Candidates of any nationality may submit an expression of interest provided that they meet the requirements laid down in Article 22-ter of Law No. 240 of 30 December 2010, the University Regulations governing the Award of Postdoctoral and Research Appointments, and the eligibility rules established under the MSCA Doctoral Networks programme In particular, MSCA-DN eligibility requirements are:

• Doctoral Candidate requirement: The applicant must not be in possession of a doctoral degree on the first day of employment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis, but who have not yet been awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible.
• Mobility rule: At the time of recruitment by the recruiting beneficiary G. d’Annunzio University Chieti – Pescara, Italy, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g., work and studies) in the country of their recruiting beneficiary (Italy) for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior totheir recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.
• English language: Network fellows (DCs) must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.
• Master’s Degree in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Materials Science, Medical Biotechnology, and related fiel