HORIZON-MSCA-2021-DN-01. PhD position no. ESR13. NanoReMedi-PhD programme in Functional Nano-…

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network NANOREMEDI-programme in “Functional Nano-Scaffolds for Regenerative Medicine” stems from six Doctoral Courses/Schools at six beneficiary institutions, providing research and training in the field of nanomaterials for Regenerative Medicine. An active contribution of enterprises in training activities is a relevant feature of the programme.

Beneficiaries (Doctorate Courses/Schools): University of Milan (Pharmaceutical Sciences), ITALY – Coordinating University; Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (Polymers and Biopolymers) SPAIN; The Hebrew University Jerusalem (School of Chemistry), ISRAEL; Université de Montpellier (Balard Chemical Sciences doctoral school), FRANCE; University of Pavia (Bioengineering, Bioinformatics & Health Technologies), ITALY; IC nanoGUNE (Materials Physics; delivered by University of the Basque Country – Associated Partner linked to NANOGUNE beneficiary), SPAIN.

Associated partners for secondments activities: Bayer Health Care Pharmaceuticals – ITALY; Edelweiss Connect GMBH – SWITZERLAND; Italfarmaco S.p.A. (CHEMI) – ITALY; Jacobacci & Partners – ITALY; Lynxter -FRANCE; Simune Atomistics SL – SPAIN; Ponti & Partners, SLP – SPAIN; AbMedica – ITALY; DeLama – ITALY; Officine Innovazione Srl (Deloitte) – ITALY; Genepep – FRANCE; BioBasic Europe rsl – ITALY

The scientific approach proposed by NanoReMedi Consortium is strongly multidisciplinary and will involve a number of different state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies. Expected results are:

• Generate tissue engineered vascular grafts (VGs) to replace damaged peripheral arteries
• Study stem-cell based regenerative medicine for bone and cartilage repair
• Ftakle implantation failure of engeneered tissues/scaffolds

13 ESR PhD positions are offered by the Consortium related to different and multidisciplinary projects strongly interconnected involving different state-of-the-art technologies and methodologies: Computational chemistry; Chemical synthesis/peptide synthesis; Peptide based Nanomaterials (Soft materials/Hydrogels/Electrospinning) preparation and spectroscopic characterization; Production of vein graph; 3D-tissue fabrication; Biofilm prevention; Electrostimulated release of antimicrobial peptides

Each ESR will attend the following training activities: i) advanced courses and soft and transferable skill courses provided by University’s doctorate courses/schools; ii)

multidisciplinary courses/Summer delivered by NanoReMedi Network at the general Network Meetings/; iii) Nine-months secondment at one of the Beneficiary jointly awarding the doctoral degree to improve research methods complementary to those at home institution; iv) Three-months secondment at one of the enterprise where ESRs are expected to acquire complementary skills.

Job Summary

One position is available at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya in research project ESR13: Preparation of electro-responsive peptide carriers for controlled release.

The objectives include development of controlled plasma treatments to transform insulating peptide structures into electro-responsive structures considering different atmospheres, pressures and powers; characterization of the stable species generated by plasma treatment will be performed; re-exploration of the electrospinning conditions forcing the formation of stable charged species at the surface will be carried our if required; characterization of the charged fibres; electrostimulated release of antimicrobials from the previously electro-responsive carriers.

Secondments:i) nine months at Beneficiary UNIPV: training and preparation of electrospun fibres and their transformation using plasma; ii) three months of enterprise secondment at Ponti to analyse the results from the innovation point of view at both technical/industrial levels, prospecting the protection through the different available registration modalities: patents, utility models or industrial designs.

Desirable synthetic experience that includes working a range of chemical synthesis methods, as well as experience with polymers and peptide materials, including self-assembled polymers. Also, some knowledge on molecular characterization, such as NMR, UV-Vis-NIR, micro-Raman and FTIR, XPS and/or chromatography, as well as materials properties (i.e. rheology, particle sizing – DLS, TEM, SEM and AFM) is desired, but not mandatory.