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HEAL4WARD is recruiting 11 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) within a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network focused on advanced care and rapid diagnosis for wound infections. The programme trains early-stage researchers to develop next-generation solutions combining nanomaterials, antimicrobial strategies, 3D printing, advanced sensing (including SERS) and AI-based prediction models for personalised infection management. 

All positions are fully funded PhD projects with a planned start at Month 7 and a duration of 36 months, and include international, interdisciplinary training and secondments across the network.

Recruitment will open shortly / You can still aplly for

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DC1 – Synthesis of antimicrobial peptidomimetics and polymer nanomaterials for biofilm degradation and treatment

Host institution (Recruiting participant): Sapienza University of Rome (UNIROMA)
PhD enrolment: Sapienza University of Rome
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • CNRS-SOFTMAT (M14): Degradable vinyl polymers

  • CIC biomaGUNE (M28): Functionalisation of carbon-based nanomaterials

  • RCSI (M35): Protein corona characterisation and adsorption/desorption in biological environments

Expected results (high level): Library of peptide amphiphiles; amphiphilic polymer nanomaterials; nanomaterials functionalised with antimicrobial compounds and enzymes.

Host institution (Recruiting participant): CIC biomaGUNE
PhD enrolment: University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • UNIROMA (M17): Conjugation of carbon dots with antimicrobial components

  • Karolinska Institutet (KI) (M32): Toxicology studies of carbon dots

Expected results (high level): Red/NIR emissive carbon dots with low cytotoxicity; dual-colour bio-imaging carbon dots; multifunctional platforms combining antibiofilm and infection-detection functions; biomolecule functionalisation.

Host institution (Recruiting participant): CIC biomaGUNE
PhD enrolment: University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU)
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • CNRS-ICMPE (M13): Preparation of 3D hyaluronan gels

  • University of Vigo (UVIGO) (M26): Label-free SERS detection of quorum sensing signals

  • UNIROMA (M33): Selective targeting of biofilm matrix

Expected results (high level): 3D printed ECM models with controlled mechanics; non-invasive monitoring of quorum sensing via SERS; functionalised nanoparticles for targeted biofilm accumulation and potential thermal eradication.

Host institution (Recruiting participant): University of Nottingham (UNOTT)
PhD enrolment: University of Nottingham
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • University of Groningen (UGRO) (M17): Slow-degrading and/or self-healing polymers; blending strategies

  • UVIGO (M29): Cytotoxicity assays on 3D-printed patches/scaffolds

  • CIC biomaGUNE (M38): Microneedle penetration analysis in artificial biofilms

Expected results (high level): Library of degradable/swellable polymers; optimised ink formulations; 3D-printed microneedle patch prototypes incorporating model and active dopants.

Host institution (Recruiting participant): Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)
PhD enrolment: Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • CIC biomaGUNE (M12): AMP/NP interaction studies by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

  • Karolinska Institutet (KI) (M24): In vitro toxicology studies on nanoparticles

Expected results (high level): Metallic nanoparticles conjugated with antimicrobial peptides; biocompatible multilayer scaffold incorporating AMP–NP complexes with enhanced antimicrobial properties.

Host institution (Recruiting participant): CNRS-ICMPE
PhD enrolment: University of Paris Est-Créteil
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • RCSI (M14): Protein corona characterisation on polypeptoid particles

  • CIC biomaGUNE (M29): Polypeptoid interaction with biofilm matrix

Expected results (high level): Library of polypeptoid homopolymers; antimicrobial polypeptoid particles; polysaccharide/polypeptoid biohybrid materials.

Host institution (Recruiting participant): CNRS-SOFTMAT
PhD enrolment: Université Toulouse III Paul Sabatier
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • UNOTT (M21): Printability screening in SLA and MJP printing

  • CNRS-ICMPE (M31): Synthesis of polypeptoid particles and formulation into polymer inks

Expected results (high level): Thionolactone monomer library; structure–reactivity understanding for copolymerisation; controlled microstructure for degradability; degradation pathway studies.

Host institution (Recruiting participant): IRCCS-FSL (IRCCS)
PhD enrolment: Sapienza University of Rome
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • CIC biomaGUNE (M22): Biofilm characterisation in in vitro ECM models

  • University of Athens (UoA) (M36): Sepsis-proofing wound care and AI models

Expected results (high level): Characterisation of aerobic/anaerobic multispecies biofilms in chronic wounds; isolation and identification of bacterial extracellular vesicles influencing biofilm behaviour.

Host institution (Recruiting participant): University of Groningen (UGRO)
PhD enrolment: University of Groningen
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • UNOTT (M23): Additive manufacturing technologies

  • CNRS-SOFTMAT (M31): Formulations of polyesters with degradable polyacrylates

Expected results (high level): Library of furan-based (co)polymers; optimised synthesis route; tailored properties for additive manufacturing and scaffold production.

Host institution (Recruiting participant): University of Vigo (UVIGO)
PhD enrolment: University of Vigo
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • UNOTT (M17): Generation of plasmonic full-skin human 3D model

  • CIC biomaGUNE (M29): Implementation of ECM in plasmonic bioengineered platforms

Expected results (high level): Bioengineered plasmonic 3D skin models; establishment of infection models with clinically relevant bacteria; non-invasive label-free SERS monitoring of infection and antimicrobial intervention.

Host institution (Recruiting participant): National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (UoA)
PhD enrolment: National and Kapodistrian University of Athens
Start / Duration: Month 7 / 36 months

Planned secondments:

  • UVIGO (M20): SERS detection of infection biomarkers

  • IRCCS-FSL (M33): Mixed biofilms and role of bacterial extracellular vesicles in pathogenicity

Expected results (high level): AI models to predict sepsis progression from wound infections; identification of key predictors; integration with treatment guidelines; evaluation using standard performance metrics and consideration of ethical/legal/regulatory aspects.

What will HEAL4WARD offer

  • A thorough scientific education in the frame of a doctoral training program.
  • The possibility to participate in specific international courses, workshops and conferences.
  • Strong involvement in a European research project with high international visibility.
  • The possibility to perform research visits to internationally renowned research labs in Europe.
  • A prestigious three-year MSCA Fellowship.

Who can apply

  • Applicants can be of any nationality.
  • Applicants must hold a MSc or equivalent in the field required for the corresponding vacancy.
  • Applicants must be eligible to enrol on a PhD programme at the host institution (or at a designated university in case the host institution is a non-academic organisation).
  • Applicants must have the necessary academic skills and background to make the success of a doctoral degree.
  • MSCA Mobility Rule: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not taken into account.

    Additionally, DC applicants must fulfill the local requirements of the recruiting institutions.

Who are we looking for

  • MSc, MRes, MEng, or equivalent in Life Science (Biology, Biochemistry, etc.), Biotechnology, Chemistry or a related discipline.
  • Research experience, in particular in cellular and molecular biology techniques.
  • Interested in nanomaterials, antimicrobial peptidomimetics, 3D printing technologies, artificial intelligence and microbiology.
  • Appreciation for interdisciplinary work and proactive drive to collaborate across disciplines.
  • Proficient in the English language.
  • For detailed requirements, see the project description of your choice. 

How to apply

  • Download the “Application form” and fill in the required information. 
  • Compile your documents in one pdf file, following the order: 1) application form, 2) maximum two-page motivation letter, 3) CV, 4) copies of transcripts of any obtained degrees.
  • The application must be written in English.
  • Submit all the above documents via e-mail as a single pdf file to XYZ 
  • As the subject of your email, please use  HEAL4WARD application – your name.

A limited number of applicants will be invited for an interview and will be required to provide contact information of up to two contact persons for reference letters.

Download documents
Application form

Download the application form,  open it with a pdf reader and fill in the required information in the boxes or choose from the “drop-down”. 

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