MSCA-DN PhD in oligodendrocyte-targeted gene therapy for PMLD1 (Nicosia, Cyprus)

About your role

You will contribute to the development and evaluation of gene therapy approaches for PMLD1. Your work includes:

• establishing and using isogenic iPSC-derived myelinating organoids as a human in vitro disease model;
• testing AAV variants and assessing their effects on myelination and oligodendrocyte survival;
• using a PMLD1 mouse model to evaluate the therapeutic potential of selected AAV variants in vivo;
• applying behavioural and neurological phenotyping and other experimental approaches to assess disease mechanisms and treatment responses;
• analysing and interpreting experimental results and collaborating with researchers at CING and across the POLARIS consortium.You will also participate in the POLARIS network-wide training programme and planned secondments. This gives you the opportunity to develop scientific and transferable skills in an international research environment.
  About you
  We are looking for a candidate with a Master's degree in Life Sciences, preferably in Neuroscience, and a strong interest in translational neuroscience and rare disease research.Relevant experience may have been gained during an internship, thesis project or other research project. We are looking for:
• hands-on experience with in vivo mouse research;
• experience with behavioural or neurological phenotyping is an advantage;
• knowledge of animal welfare regulations and ethical principles, and an understanding of rigorous experimental design;
• a careful and reproducible approach, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• good written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.Formal certification for working with laboratory animals is highly desirable.Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential.Eligibility criteriaStrict eligibility criteria under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network programme apply:
• At the time of recruitment, you must not already hold a doctoral degree.
• The MSCA mobility rule applies. Because CING is the recruiting organisation for this position, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity, such as work or study, in Cyprus for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
• You must be able and willing to work in an international training network, participate in network-wide training activities and undertake planned secondments with POLARIS partner organisations.
  Our offer
  
  • A full-time, 3-year employment contract with CING; 
  • Salary, mobility allowance and benefits according to the applicable MSCA Doctoral Network and host-organisation rules. More detailed information about the salary will follow; 
  • Embedding in the international POLARIS doctoral training network; 
  • Access to network-wide training activities, secondments and transferable-skills development; 
  • A challenging and translational research project at the interface of in vivo neuroscience, rare disease biology and preclinical therapy development; 
  • A collaborative and entrepreneurial working environment; 
  • An open and supportive team culture with opportunities for scientific and professional development.