6 PhD positions in the MSCA Doctoral Network for Wound Infection Advanced Care and Rapid Diagno[...]

Offer Description

The HEAL-4WARD “Doctoral Network for Wound Infection Advanced Care and Rapid Diagnosis”, funded under the Horizon Europe MSCA framework, aims to train Doctoral Candidates (DCs) in harnessing emerging advanced nanomaterials, SERS sensors, 3D‑printing technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI) models to prototype smart wound dressings for personalised infection care and diagnosis.

The initiative focuses on creating antimicrobial strategies that minimise resistance risks while enhancing diagnostics and imaging.

DCs will be recruited across a multidisciplinary and intersectoral European consortium, and will benefit from joint supervision by leading academic experts, international secondments across Europe, structured training in both scientific and transferable skills, and exposure to clinical and industrial environments.

The research targets major healthcare challenges including chronic wounds, surgical site infections, burns and sepsis, contributing to innovative and personalised therapeutic solutions.

Available PhD Positions

• DC1 – Sapienza University of Rome (Italy)

  Synthesis of antimicrobial peptidomimetics and polymer nanomaterials for biofilm degradation and treatment.

  Supervisor: Prof. Iolanda Francolini;
  Co‑supervisors: Prof. Luciano Galantini, Prof. Maurizio Prato.

  Secondments: RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dublin, Ireland.

• DC4 – University of Nottingham (United Kingdom)

  3D‑printing of microneedle patches from synthetic swellable and fast degrading polymers for on‑demand wound healing.

  Supervisor: Dr. Vincenzo Taresco;
  Co‑supervisors: Dr. Robert Owen, Dr. Geoffrey Rivers, Prof. Benoit Couturaud.

  Secondments: none listed.

• DC5 – Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland RCSI (Ireland)

  Development of a multifunctional nanoparticle‑loaded scaffold for enhanced antimicrobial activity.

  Supervisor: Prof. Marco Monopoli;
  Co‑supervisors: Prof. Marc Devocelle, Prof. Fergal O’Brien, Prof. Maurizio Prato.

  Secondments: none listed.

• DC8 – Sapienza University of Rome (Italy)

  Involvement of polymeric nanostructures in the modulation of multispecies biofilms formed on chronic wounds.

  Supervisor: Prof. Iolanda Francolini;
  Co‑supervisors: Prof. Luciano Galantini, Dr. Alessandra Del Giudice, Dr. Vincenzo Taresco.

  Secondments: University of Nottingham, UK; National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

• DC9 – University of Groningen (Netherlands)

  Synthesis and design optimisation of biobased furan (co)polymers for advanced scaffolding.

  Supervisor: Dr. Dina Maniar;
  Co‑supervisors: Prof. Katja Loos, Prof. Mathias Destarac.

  Secondments: University of Nottingham, UK.

• DC11 – National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Greece)

  AI for early recognition, diagnosis and personalised treatment strategies for sepsis.

  Supervisor: Prof. Evangelos J. Giamarellos‑Bourboulis;
  Co‑supervisors: Prof. Vissarion Papadopoulos, Prof. Iolanda Francolini.

  Secondments: Sapienza University of Rome, Italy.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants may be of any nationality.
• Applicants must hold a relevant MSc degree or equivalent.
• Applicants must be doctoral candidates (not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment).
• Applicants must meet PhD admission criteria at the host institution.
• Applicants must have the academic background required for the respective position.
• Applicants must comply with the MSCA Mobility Rule: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the organisation they are applying to for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment.

Application Requirements

• Statement of interest (up to 2,500 characters) explaining why you wish to be considered for the fellowship and which qualities and experience you will bring to the role.
• A certificate of university examinations taken (with marks).
• A final degree certificate translated in English. If, at the time of application, candidates are not yet in possession of a degree certificate, they can submit it at the time of the examination.
• Upon success, a translated and legalized certificate is required as proof of eligibility for doctoral admission.

Selection Process

Applications will be collected through the project website. A limited number of applicants will be invited for an interview and will be required to provide contact information for up to two reference letters.

Additional Information

• Positions are funded through the MSCA Doctoral Networks programme.
• Doctoral Candidates will receive a competitive salary composed of a living allowance and a mobility allowance, with a possible family allowance depending on individual circumstances.
• Eligibility criteria include nationalities, academic qualifications and mobility requirements as described.
• Languages: English, Level Excellent.

Benefits

The exact salaries are subject to local regulations. Further financial details for each position are available on the project website.