MSCA-DN PhD in pharmacological therapy for leukodystrophies (Rome, IT)

About your role

You will contribute to different stages of the research project. Your work will include:

• Developing and using human in vitro models derived from patient and control iPSCs.
• Investigating disease-relevant cellular and molecular mechanisms using a range of experimental techniques.
• Applying imaging, biochemical and omics approaches to characterise disease phenotypes.
• Supporting compound screening and evaluating the efficacy of potential pharmacological therapies.
• Working with researchers across the POLARIS consortium and contributing to the network-wide training programme. During planned secondments, you will broaden your expertise in preclinical drug development. At Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands, you will receive training in MLC animal models for the preclinical evaluation of pharmacological therapies under the supervision of Dr Rogier Min. At the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) in Cagliari, you will learn computational chemistry approaches to identify drug repurposing compounds based on pathological pathways identified in patient-derived models.You will be based at the ISS in Rome and academically enrolled at Sapienza University of Rome. You will pursue a PhD degree in Cell and Developmental Biology.
  About you
  We are looking for a motivated researcher who is interested in translational neuroscience, rare diseases and the development of pharmacological therapies. You bring:
• A Master’s degree in Life Sciences, preferably in Neuroscience.
• Experience with molecular biology and imaging techniques and with developing or using in vitro cellular models.
• An interest in using human cellular models to investigate disease mechanisms and evaluate potential therapies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to critically assess experimental results and adapt your approach when needed.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively in an interdisciplinary and international research environment. You work accurately and reproducibly, pay attention to detail and can plan and organise complex experimental work. You will collaborate with colleagues at the ISS and with researchers across the POLARIS consortium.Fluency in written and spoken English is essential.Eligibility criteriaImportant, strict eligibility criteria according to MARIE SKLODOWSKA CURIE programs apply to applicants:
• You must not already hold a doctoral degree.
• At the time of the application deadline, you must have a Master's degree and must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the contract start date.
• You will participate in the network-wide training programme of POLARIS, which includes (international) training activities and planned secondments with POLARIS partner organizations throughout the EU.
  Our offer
  
• A full-time, 3-year employment contract with ISS, under the agreement with Sapienza University of Rome;
• A salary, mobility allowance, and benefits in accordance with the applicable MSCA Doctoral Network and host organisation rules;
• Full integration into the international POLARIS Doctoral Training Network;
• Access to network-wide training activities, secondments, and transferable skills development;
• A challenging and highly translational research project at the interface of cellular and molecular neuroscience, rare disease biology, and preclinical drug development;
• A collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment;
• A supportive and inclusive workplace with opportunities for scientific and professional development.