15 PHD POSITIONS TO STUDY PRECISION MEDICINE FOR RESPIRATORY DISEASES

Job description

Asthma and COPD are widespread chronic respiratory diseases that impose a heavy social and economic burden. Traditional treatments often follow a "one-size-fits-all" approach, merely suppressing symptoms without achieving true health improvements. The MSCA Doctoral Network RESPIRE-EXCEL is set to revolutionize this by introducing precision medicine tailored to individual patients.

We are looking for 15 enthusiastic PhD students to join our innovative project. As a PhD student in RESPIRE-EXCEL, you will be part of a dynamic, international team of young researchers. You will undertake your own research project at your host organization, focusing on your specific area of interest. To broaden your expertise, you will also complete internships at other RESPIRE-EXCEL partner organizations.

Our program offers advanced interdisciplinary courses led by top experts in Precision Medicine for Respiratory Diseases. You will gain cross-sectoral competencies and multidisciplinary knowledge, enabling you to collaborate effectively with industry, healthcare, and academia. The RESPIRE-EXCEL consortium includes numerous academic, industrial, and societal partners from across Europe and the UK, such as the European Lung Foundation and the European Respiratory Society.

Are you ready to make a difference in the field of respiratory medicine? Explore the PhD positions available in the RESPIRE-EXCEL project and join us in shaping the future of precision medicine for asthma and COPD!

 

Charting Cellular & Molecular Mechanisms of Disease (Mechanisms)

To define endotypes of asthma and COPD, we need to understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms in the airway wall and lung tissue. We will map the gene regulatory networks (GRNs) in lung tissue using existing datasets from UMCG, HMGU, IPMC, and the literature. Advanced techniques like machine learning and generative models will help predict responses that can be tested in model systems. We will use spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and lipidomics to study lung tissue from patients with asthma and COPD. Spatial transcriptomics will be performed on bronchial biopsies and lung tissue samples, complemented by targeted imaging of lipid mediators and spatial proteomic analyses. These comprehensive analyses will generate detailed datasets, allowing us to identify multiple causative mechanisms of disease and potential treatment targets. The integrated analyses will be supported by RESPIRE-EXCEL partners, ensuring a thorough understanding of the disease mechanisms.

PhD student 1: A spatial map of pathologic cell-cell interactions in lung tissue in asthma and COPD

Host organisation: Stockholm University, SE

Contact person: Christos Samakovlis (Christos.Samakovlis@su.se)

Building on our previous topographic atlas of the healthy lung we will generate corresponding cell type atlases of diseased lungs to identify disease-specific cellular niches and alterations in regional cell type compositions. These experiments will be followed by computational analysis of published single cell RNA-sequencing data to predict new communication patterns among the cell types in the diseased niches. The expression patterns of selected genes encoding signals, receptors and downstream effectors will be validated and compared in healthy and diseased samples. We will explore the disease-associated pathways to define points for possible genetic or chemical interventions.

Internship Institute: Helmholtz Center Munich, DE

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • Molecular Cell Biology
  • Bioinformatics

PhD student 2: A multimodal analysis and functional dissection of cell circuits in COPD progression

Host organisation: Helmholtz Center Munich, DE

Contact person: Herbert Schiller (herbert.schiller@helmholtz-munich.de) 

The goal of this PhD project is to dissect specific disease mechanisms affecting respiratory airway stem cells (RASC) located in terminal and respiratory bronchioles of the human lung. The student will build on our unpublished multimodal datasets of COPD disease progression and study how RASC biology is regulated in health and disease. The student will perform functional perturbation experiments in human ex vivo tissue culture (precision cut lung slices) as well as human lung organoid cultures. Applied methods will include single cell genomics/ proteomics and multiplexed immunofluorescence with imaging as well as the associated computational data analysis. The aim of this project is to identify targetable mechanisms of stem cell failure in COPD that may lead to novel therapies and diagnostic biomarkers.

Internship Institutes: Stockholm University, SE; Karolinska Institute, SE

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • BSc or MSc in molecular biology, cell biology or related field combined with interest and experience in computational biology/machine learning/AI
  • Prior experience with stem cell biology and organotypic model systems is an advantage
  • Prior experience in bioinformatics is an advantage

PhD student 3: A multimodal tissue atlas of cellular neighbourhoods in airway wall in severe asthma

Host organisation: Karolinska Institute, SE

Contact person: Jenny Mjösberg (jenny.mjosberg@ki.se), Craig Wheelock (craig.wheelock@ki.se)

The goal of this PhD project is to construct a comprehensive, spatially resolved multimodal atlas of pathologic cellular neighbourhoods and lipid mediators (e.g., eicosanoids) in airway walls in asthma. This will be done using lung biopsies from the UBIOPRED (Unbiased Biomarkers for the Prediction of Respiratory Disease Outcomes) cohort, including a wide range of clinical, transcriptional, metabolic and proteomic metadata to which spatial data can be correlated. We will assess spatial RNA expression (10X genomics or equivalent methods), immune-related proteins (Miltenyi MACSiima) and lipid mediators (DESI mass spectrometry imaging) in defined sample sets of bronchial biopsies from patients with severe asthma to identify spatial cellular and lipid mediator interactions that define specific asthma endotypes.

Internship Institute: AstraZeneca, UK

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • Training and experience of handling human tissues for spatial, preferably multidimensional, analyses is a must
  • Some experience of, and inclination for, computational biology, including machine learning is a must

PhD student 13: Gene regulatory networks driving pathological cell behaviour in asthma and COPD

Host organisation: The Chancellor Masters and Scholars of the University of Cambridge, UK

Contact person: Sarah Teichmann (sat1003@cam.ac.uk), Tracey Andrew (tlh21@cam.ac.uk)

ScRNAseq data sets allow us to determine cell-type specific as well as disease-specific gene expression. In parallel, genome wide association studies have identified regulatory variants causally associated with the development of disease. However, it remains a challenge to integrate these divergent data sets to prioritise cell types and pathways that are promising drug targets. We propose to utilise gene regulatory network (GRN) models for the lung and airways in health and disease (asthma and COPD) to integrate these divergent data sets. Furthermore, we aim to employ machine learning and generative AI to allow in silico prediction of responses within these GRNs that can later be tested in model systems. This would allow to determine optimal points of intervention and attempt to predict their effect.

Internship Institute: Helmholtz Center Munich, DE

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • BSc or MSc in Bioinformatics or Systems Biology
  • or BSc or MSc in a related discipline (molecular biology, genetic engineering, genetics, cell biology) combined with interest and experience in computational biology/machine learning/AI
  • or BSc in Computer Science/Physics with a demonstrated interest in biology

 

Identifying Disease Endotypes for Patient Stratification (Biomarkers)

To stratify patients for precision medicine, we need biomarkers in nasal swabs or blood that reflect disease mechanisms in lung tissue with high sensitivity and specificity. We will analyze samples from asthma and COPD patients, covering various disease stages, using multimodal techniques like RNA-Seq, DNA-methyl Seq, and high-dimensional flow cytometry. This will help identify stable patient clusters and map them to cellular mechanisms of disease. We will perform in-depth analyses of the airway epithelium to understand how viral infections lead to airway remodeling in asthma. In COPD, we will conduct longitudinal analyses of the airway wall transcriptome and methylome in matched bronchial and nasal samples. Additionally, we will study changes in the adaptive immune receptor repertoire during disease onset, progression, and exacerbations. These comprehensive analyses will help distinguish endotypes of asthma and COPD, aiding in patient stratification for targeted treatments.

PhD student 4: Transcriptomic & epigenetic biomarkers of hyper-inflammatory asthma endotypes driven by repeated viral infection

Host organisation: University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, DE

Contact person: Markus Weckmann (Markus.Weckmann@uksh.de)

The aim of this PhD project is to investigate the chronic impact of maladaptive epigenetic training, specifically IL6 overexpression in airway epithelial cells, contributing to increased exacerbation frequency in asthma in children of all ages. Building on the German All-Age-Asthma longitudinal asthma cohort with over 360 nasal DNA methylation and transcriptome pairs and more than five years of follow-up, the PhD candidate will validate the association between IL6 (induced) DNA-methylation and RNA changes and (severe) wheeze attacks  across pediatric and adult cohorts, including studies from the Netherlands (PUFFIN, ADEM2, and LifeLines NEXT). Through use of several relevant viruses (e.g. RV, RSV), the DC will induce an IL6 hyper-secretory phenotype in airway epithelial cells and assess long-term outcomes in air-liquid interface and organoid cultures. Additionally, we will develop an epigenetic diagnostic assay to potentially select patients for targeted, anti-IL6 based, intervention.

Internship Institute: University Medical Center Groningen, NL

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • We are looking for a PhD student with training in (molecular) biology with an affinity for computational biology, who is interested in bridging lab experiments with ‘omics’ readouts to clinically collected patient cohorts.
  • Basic programming skills in R and Python are needed; further bioinformatic training will be provided on site.

PhD student 5: Pre-COPD, early COPD and COPD biomarkers across the life-span

Host organisation: Barcelona Clinic Research Foundation, ES

Contact person: Rosa Faner (RFANER@recerca.clinic.cat)

This PhD project, proposes an integrated analysis of the mechanisms driving the diversity and progression of Pre-COPD to COPD. The strategy is based sequentially in: (1) characterizing the individuals with Pre-COPD and COPD from our cohort of young ever smokers (n=300) with two to three measures of lung function (each every 3 to 5 years of follow-up), (2) analyzing the nasal swabs, blood transcriptome, plasma miRNAs and selected serum proteins to identify the biological associates to Pre-COPD and COPD, (3) using multi-level networks to integrate the information and uncover the molecular underpins of Pre-COPD and COPD heterogeneity, and (4) using in-vitro models (Air-liquid interface and/or precision cut slices) to explore the epithelial cell damage induced by the identified pathways, hence validating experimentally the results. With this combined strategy we aim to identify the variety of clinical, immunological and molecular factors associated to the Pre-COPD and its progression to COPD, thus potentially identifying novel therapeutic targets that may eventually halt disease progression.

Internship institute: National Center for Scientific Research, FR

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • Training and experience in computational biology, including machine learning, R and python programing
  • Experience with RNAseq, small RNAseq, networks, and data integration and analysis is preferred
  • Wet-lab experience is nice-to-have for year-3 but not critically required

PhD student 6: Transcriptional and epigenetic changes in airway wall in asthma across the lifespan

Host organisation: University Medical Center Groningen, NL

Contact person: Gerard Koppelman (g.h.koppelman@umcg.nl)

Asthma is a common, chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, that often starts in early childhood. It is highly heterogeneous, with different causal genetic and environmental factors, varying by the age of onset. Different pathomechanisms of the disease related to measurable characteristics of asthma are called endotypes. The epithelial and inflammatory characteristics of asthma endotypes are reflected in changes in the airway transcriptome and epigenome. Recently, we showed that nasal DNA-methylation is able to diagnose allergic asthma, but the predictive capacity of this diagnostic panel is related to age. An in-depth analysis of the association of nasal DNA methylation with age-associated disease patterns is needed. Ultimately, this PhD project aims to develop diagnostic panels for early-life asthma and enhance our understanding of asthma endotypes throughout the lifespan using integrative, multi-omic approaches.

Internship institute: Karolinska Institute, SE

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • A MSc in bioinformatics or computational biology

PhD student 7: An inflammation atlas of circulating immune cells for asthma and COPD biomarkers

Host organisation: Omniscope Spain, ES

Contact person: Marta Soto Gimeno (martasg@omniscope.ai)

This PhD project aims to create a comprehensive atlas of circulating immune cells in asthma and COPD patients using an integrated single-cell analysis approach. The project combines single-cell RNA sequencing with Adaptive Immune Receptor Repertoire (AIRR) sequencing of blood samples to characterise disease-specific inflammatory cell states and immune repertoire signatures. Over three years, the work will progress from initial standardised data generation and analysis to the development of a biomarker discovery and patient stratification framework. The research will first focus on the multi-modal characterization of inflammatory landscapes in asthma and COPD, and follow up with machine learning-based patient stratification using integrated single-cell and AIRR signatures. The project's outcomes will contribute to precision medicine by providing new diagnostic tools for patient stratification and treatment response monitoring, advancing our understanding of inflammatory mechanisms in chronic respiratory diseases.

Internship institute: University of Cambridge, UK

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • BSc in Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedicine or related life sciences.
  • MSc in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology or similar.
  • 1+ year of experience in adaptive immune receptor repertoire analysis.
  • Advanced skills in statistics or mathematical modelling, proved by additional courses or training.

 

Cellular & Molecular Basis for Treatment Responses to Biologicals (Treatment)

To achieve disease remission with precision medicine, we need to understand which endotypes of asthma and COPD respond to treatments. We will study treatment responses in patients using biologicals like Tezepelumab and Dupilumab, analyzing samples before and after treatment. This will involve performing scRNA-seq and highly multiplexed immunohistochemical analyses on airway wall biopsies, complemented by functional studies in cultured bronchial epithelial cells. We will also analyze treatment response to Mepolizumab in patients with severe asthma, using scRNA-seq, spatial transcriptomics, and high-dimensional flow cytometry. Additionally, we will compare immune cell subsets in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage in severe COPD patients before and after treatment with Tezepelumab. These detailed analyses will help identify responder and non-responder endotypes, explore new treatment options, and understand the cellular and molecular basis for treatment responses.

PhD student 8: Resetting the immune system in severe exacerbating asthma: a unique asthma endotype

Host organisation: Bispebjerg Hospital Copenhagen, DK

Contact person: Celeste Porsbjerg (celeste.porsbjerg@regionh.dk)

Severe asthma is characterized by persistent airway inflammation, despite high-dose steroid treatment, combined with excessive inflammatory responses to environmental triggers, such as virus – causing patients to develop recurrent severe asthma attacks. Novel monoclonal antibody treatments effectively stabilize patients, through targeting very specific immune pathways; providing a unique opportunity to unravel the causes of immune hyperresponsiveness in severe asthma. This PhD project will describe immune remodeling characteristics of patients with severe asthma; epithelial dysfunction and pathogenic innate and adaptive immunity, identify pathways associated with remission, and propose biomarkers for effective targeting of novel biologics in the individual patient. Combining clinical data from severe asthma treated with anti-IL4Ra (dupilumab) or anti-TSLP (tezepelumab) with advanced histological assays, transcriptomic analysis, and functional cell culture assays, this PhD project offers training in a range of state-of-the art methods.

Internship institute: University of Lund, SE

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • Interest in clinical translational research is preferred
  • Experience with performance of histological immunohistochemistry, including samples and analysis is required
  • Training and experience in computational biology, including machine learning is an advantage
  • Wet-lab experience with cell cultures is an advantage but not critically required

PhD student 14: Treatment response to anti-IL5 (Mepolizumab) in patients with severe asthma

Host organisation: Imperial College London, UK

Contact person: Ian Adcock (ian.adcock@imperial.ac.uk), Pankaj Bhavsar (p.bhavsar@imperial.ac.uk)

The goal of this PhD project is to generate information that underpins the molecular and cellular landscape associated with response to T2 biologics in patients with severe asthma. This data will link with other projects within the consortia to help generate a human airways disease atlas (HADCA) and to introduce a therapeutic arm. Bronchial biopsy samples have been collected from severe asthmatic patients before and after initiation of anti-IL-5 (mepolizumab) therapy (P-CLESA study) and data will be correlated with clinical responsiveness. Blood bulk RNA-seq data along with blood proteomics analysis will be integrated with the tissue data to identify additional predictive biomarkers for mepolizumab responsiveness. There are other ongoing studies within National Heart and Lung Institute collecting bronchoscopy spatial RNA-seq data from severe asthma patients before and after treatment with biologics that will be utilised in this analysis. We will use the data obtained from these studies and in collaboration with data within the HADCA to identify disease-associated cell states, trajectories and interactions that are either sensitive or insensitive to anti-IL-5 therapy. Hub cells or pathways will be assessed within the HADCA and other transcriptomic datasets from bronchial brushings and/or biopsies from patients with severe asthma.

Internship institute: Karolinska Institute, SE

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • Training and experience in computational biology, including machine learning
  • Experience with spatial RNA-seq data analysis and data integration is preferred

PhD student 15: Towards precision medicine for COPD: treatment responses to anti-TSLP

Host organisation: University of Leicester, UK

Contact person: Adam Wright (adam.wright@leicester.ac.uk), David Cousins (dc282@leicester.ac.uk)

Epithelial-derived alarmins are important contributors to T2 and non-T2 inflammatory mechanisms that contribute to poor health for COPD patients. To provide the basis for anti-alarmin strategies in COPD (precision medicine), the goal of this PhD project is to understand immuno-biological mechanisms of alarmin activity across leukocyte populations, tissues sites and in the context of ex vivo/in vivo triggers of epithelial inflammation and in the context of clinical observations.  We will measure serum and sputum alarmins during stable and exacerbation periods of disease and integrate this with biological and clinical measures of type-2/non-type-2 inflammation. Utilising blood cellular/scRNAseq immunology data to identify patient phenotypes, we will then examine the relationship with epithelial anti-viral response(s) in paired sample sets.  Finally, alarmin-dependent and independent mechanisms will be identified and their relationship to biomarkers of biological and clinical response determined following anti-TSLP treatment. 

Internship institute: Bispebjerg Hospital Copenhagen, DK

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • Some experience of relevant wet-lab skills (experience with cytometry preferred but not essential)
  • Training and experience in (any one) of the relevant areas (preferred but not essential):
    • Human immunology (experience with respiratory immunology
    • Handling large data-sets e.g. sequencing data
    • Computational experience (e.g. R, Python etc)

 

Endotype-based Models for Validation of Targets and Biomarkers (Models)

Current treatments may not cover all endotypes of asthma and COPD. We will identify and validate targets for additional endotypes. RESPIRE-EXCEL will create a comprehensive disease atlas of the human lung, integrating various datasets from asthma and COPD patients. We will also develop COPD model atlases, incorporating scRNA-seq data from patients, cultured primary cells, and mouse models. This multi-species COPD model atlas will guide the selection of optimal disease models for target validation and drug discovery. Additionally, we will generate primary cell culture models reflecting endotype-specific cellular mechanisms. Using air-liquid interface and 3D epithelial organoid culture models, we will study asthma-specific responses to various stimuli and test new treatments.

PhD student 9: An integrated disease atlas of human lung tissue in asthma and COPD

Host organisation: University Medical Center Groningen, NL

Contact person: Martijn Nawijn (m.c.nawijn@umcg.nl)

The goal of this PhD project is to generate an integrated reference tissue atlas for asthma and COPD. Based on our extensive experience with the Human Lung Cell Atlas versions-1 and v2 , we will establish a fully integrated dataset of all available asthma and COPD scRNA-seq studies from RESPIRE-EXCEL partners and literature: the Human Airway Disease Cell Atlas (HADCA). We will use the HADCA to analyze in detail the common and unique disease-associated cell states, trajectories and interactions in these two chronic inflammatory diseases of the airways. We will interrogate the disease-associated pathways for possible interventions using drug repurposing. Validation of common or novel unique disease-associated biological processes will be performed by follow-up analyses using patient-derived tissues or primary cells.

Internship Institute: Helmholtz Center Munich, DE

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • Training and experience in computational biology, including machine learning
  • Experience with single-cell RNA-seq data integration and analysis is preferred
  • Wet-lab experience is nice-to-have for year-3 but not critically required.

PhD student 10: Comparative analysis of model systems to study COPD

Host organisation: Helmholtz Center Munich, DE

Contact person: Malte Lücken (malte.luecken@helmholtz-munich.de)

Developing therapeutic interventions for human diseases such as COPD requires a detailed understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying disease processes. Identifying these mechanisms and how they can be targeted is typically done in model systems due to ethical and legal considerations and access to samples. However, translating results from model systems to human subjects is a major hurdle in drug development and translational science. In this PhD project we will build a computational framework to compare model systems of COPD that will enable informed selection of an appropriate model to study specific aspects of COPD pathobiology. We will use single-cell genomics data from human COPD patients, mouse models, ALI culture, and precision cut lung slices (PCLS), while accounting for matching cellular circuits, anatomical locations, and disease stages. Fine-tuning recent foundational models for single-cell genomics to integrate these data into a common latent space we will build informative representations, where cellular states, marker genes, and cellular communication patterns can be compared and quantified to recommend the most suitable models for comparison.

Internship Institute: University of Technology Sydney, AUS

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering, biology, or similar
  • Good grasp of scientific computing python infrastructure (pandas, scikit-learn, numpy, scipy)
  • Experience working with high-throughput biological (omics) data, ideally single-cell genomics

PhD student 11: Advanced bronchial epithelial cell culture models of asthma endotypes validated by transcriptional signatures

Host organisation: University Medical Center Groningen, NL

Contact person: Martijn Nawijn (m.c.nawijn@umcg.nl)

In this PhD project, we will study airway epithelial cell function in patients with asthma by culturing primary bronchial epithelial cells obtained from patients with asthma, generate RNA-sequencing data from these cells and compare these to the disease-associated transcriptional phenotypes of the bronchial epithelium observed in vivo. We will use perturbations by relevant external factors such as allergens and viruses and gene inactivation by CRISPR/Cas9 to map causal pathways contributing to disease-associated molecular activities observed both in vitro and in vivo. We will validate these PBEC  (primary bronchial epithelial cells) culture models for screening of novel therapeutic interventions and the development of biomarkers for precision medicine and treatment response monitoring. This project will be embedded in a larger team of PhD students and PostDocs, with extensive cell culture experience and bio-informatic expertise for advanced data analysis available to support the candidate.

Internship Institute: AstraZeneca, UK

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • Experience in culturing of primary cells
  • Experience in molecular cell biology, specifically RNA-sequencing data generation and analysis

PhD student 12: Cell circuits in the airway wall in early-stage COPD

Host organisation: National Center for Scientific Research, FR

Contact person: Laure-Emmanuelle Zaragosi (zaragosi@ipmc.cnrs.fr), Pascal Barbry (barbry@ipmc.cnrs.fr)

The goal of this PhD project is to provide a detailed analysis of the early cellular events in the airways of patients in the initial stages of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), helping to uncover potential early markers and therapeutic targets for this chronic condition. The project will explore in detail our unpublished single-cell atlas obtained from airway biopsies of COPD patients and spatially map dysregulated pathways with spatial transcriptomics. Using in vitro and ex vivo models will identify disease-associated states and the cellular specificity of the responses to cigarette smoke. The PhD candidate will also integrate all these data together with longitudinal data from cohorts in order to link cellular mechanisms to patient data. This PhD project in translational medicine offers a unique opportunity for candidates to gain hands-on experience in both wet lab techniques and computational biology, fostering dual expertise that is highly sought after in the current biomedical landscape.

Internship Institute: Helmholtz Center Munich, DE

Required knowledge and skills specific for this PhD project:

  • The applicant should have an MSc degree in the fields of cellular and molecular biology, development, genomics, physiology.
  • A degree in computational biology is not required but training and experience in bioinformatics will be greatly appreciated.

 

Working environment

Joining the MSCA-DN training network offers a dynamic and collaborative working environment across prestigious institutions. As a PhD student, you will be enrolled in the graduate school of top universities in Europe and the UK. The research you perform at your host institute and the courses you will attend will be complemented by network-wide activities. You'll engage with experts from diverse fields, access state-of-the-art facilities, and gain international experience. The program includes comprehensive training, workshops, and seminars led by leading researchers, enhancing your skills and knowledge. You'll be part of a supportive academic community that encourages collaboration and intellectual growth, with regular meetings and social events. Additionally, you'll receive career guidance and enjoy a flexible work environment that values diversity and inclusion, enriching your personal and professional life.

 

What do we need?

Eligible candidates for a PhD position in the MSCA-DN RESPIRE-EXCEL should have the following qualifications:

  • A(n) (almost) completed master’s degree in a discipline relevant to the PhD position(s) for which you apply.
  • Strong motivation for scientific research in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
  • Track record in research projects on biology of the lung or lung diseases is preferred.
  • Excellent English presentation and writing skills.
  • Good organizational and communication skills, being a team-player.

Successful candidates must fulfil the criteria defined by the European Commission:

  • As a Doctoral Candidate, you have not been awarded a doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
  • At the time of recruitment by the host organisation, Doctoral Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date.

 

What do we offer

The salary for PhD students in the MSCA-DN training network is competitive and varies depending on the specific institution and country of employment. Each organization offers a remuneration package that aligns with local standards and regulations, ensuring fair compensation for your work. The start of the PhD projects is envisaged between June 2025 and September 2025.

 

For questions about the position

For more information about a specific position please contact the person indicated for that position.

 

How to apply

You are invited to apply if you are interested in one or more of the PhD positions. Please submit your CV and motivation letter via the ‘Apply’ button below. Indicate in your motivation letter which PhD position(s) you are applying for with a maximum of 3 positions. You can apply until 2 March 2025.