PhD Research Projects in MSCA European Training Network proEVLifeCycle

We are recruiting 10 early stage researchers for the PhD research projects available in the proEVLifeCycle research training programme. You will jointly clarify the lifecycle of extracellular vesicles and identify novel biomarkers and therapy targets for prostate cancer using state-of-the-art model systems, imaging and profiling tools, and systems biology.

The lifecycle of extracellular vesicles (EVs) is poorly understood and their potential as non-invasive biomarkers and therapy targets is a growing area of interest. This research can perfectly be integrated with the high need for novel biomarkers and therapy targets for prostate cancer. Any relief in the burden of this disease will have major impact on the huge socio-economic problems for patients, families, caregivers and society. In proEVLifeCycle, we aim to unravel the mysteries of EV biogenesis, homing and uptake to explain how EVs operate in disease processes, their heterogeneity, their molecular complexity, the biological functions they drive, their local and systemic dissemination and how these may be manipulated.

Our international consortium is composed of 8 academic institutions and 2 companies based in Austria, Finland, France, Spain, The Netherlands and United Kingdom that offer you excellent and innovative scientific training through research towards a PhD degree and extensive opportunities for mobility and patient-facing experiences, with the support of 11 partner organisations.

Interested to learn more about our vacancies, consortium and programme? Please check our website.

We offer an international and innovative research and training programme in the field of extracellular vesicles in oncology. You will be embedded in a consortium of experts from various sectors and will have access to state-of-the art technologies and infrastructure. Next to your own research project, you will be offered training in presentation, grant writing, entrepreneurship, knowledge exploitation, leadership and job application skills, amongst others.

The anticipated start date of employment is 1 March 2020 and is to be agreed with your supervisor. You will receive an attractive salary including mobility allowance and family allowance (if applicable) as laid down in the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions Work Programme 2018-2020. The period of employment within proEVLifeCycle is 3 years. For host institutions with a national PhD track of 4 years, the employment will be 4 years. This is indicated in the description of the individual PhD projects at our website.

You are in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent research experience) of your research career and have not been awarded a doctoral degree. This is measured from the date when you obtained a degree that formally entitles you to embark on a doctorate until the start date of employment.

You are willing to move to the country of the host institution of your interest.

You have not resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host institution of your interest for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the start date of employment.

Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

You are proficient in written and spoken English.

You have the requested skills and experience for the PhD project(s) of interest

After the closing of the application procedure, the local supervisors will evaluate the applications for their PhD project and select candidates for a face-to-face or video interview based on relevant education, scientific skills and experience, motivation and reference letters. Candidates will be asked to give a presentation during the interview. The supervisors will make a final ranking of preferred candidates for their PhD project after the interviews. The proEVLifeCycle Supervisory Board composed of all supervisors will make a final decision on the selection of candidates. In case of equal ranking, preference will be given to women and researchers with a refugee status (provided they have or are able to obtain work permits). We anticipate to finish the recruitment procedure before 1 January 2020.

You can apply for a maximum of 3 PhD projects via our website. For each project, you need to submit an individual application. For each application, you provide a specific motivation letter with the same CV, reference letters and other relevant documents. In each application form, you should indicate the order of preference for the projects of interest. A single application for multiple projects is not in line with this procedure and will not be taken into consideration.