puestos de Biotecnologia en España

This is a 3-years PhD position, in the frame of a Horizon Europe MSCA-Doctoral Network (DN) program (Funded by EU, GA : 101168976) entitled “Autonomous Scanning Probe Microscopy for Life Sciences and Medicine powered by Artificial Intelligence (SPM4.0)” that involves 10 research centers / academic institutions and 3 companies from Spain, Sweden, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Czech Republic and UK.

The SPM4.0 Consortium / Background

Artificial Intelligence is pushing forward the Industrial Revolution 4.0, which is transforming many areas of Society, including Science and Technology. Nanoscopy, a recognized pillar of the research and manufacture of Nanotechnology-based products, is among the areas that more quickly is adopting Artificial Intelligence. Machine learning algorithms are being developed and integrated in microscopes for its autonomous operation and in software toolboxes for the automatic analysis of large volumes of microscopy data. Scanning Probe Microscopy is particularly active in this integration with a special focus in the Life Sciences and Medical fields. Scanning probe microscopes powered by machine learning are expected to enable the autonomous and label-free nanoscale structural and functional (mechanical and electric) imaging of living cells and functional biomolecules in their native conditions, something never achieved in nanoscopic imaging. The objective of the SPM4.0 Doctoral Network is to train a new generation of researchers in the science and technology of autonomous Scanning Probe Microscopes powered by Artificial Intelligence for applications in the Life Science and Medical fields. The researchers of the network will acquire a state-of-the-art multidisciplinary scientific training in advanced scanning probe microscopy and machine learning and in their biological and medical applications. In addition, they will receive training on complementary and transferable skills to increase their employability perspectives and to qualify them to access to responsibility job positions in the private and public sectors. The final aim is to promote the wide adoption of SPM4.0 technologies in public and private research centers and in industrial and metrology institutions and to explore new horizons in the Life Sciences and Medical sectors regarding label-free nanoscopic cell imaging, illness diagnosis, or drug nanocarrier development, consolidating Europe as world leader.

The SPM4.0 partner hosting the PhD student

Curapath is a contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) specialized in the synthesis of polymer, lipids and lipid and polymer nanoparticles. Curapath supports all stages of development from proof-of-concept to preclinical, clinical and commercial-scale good manufacturing practices (GMP). The company helps solving even the most complex drug delivery challenges. Curapath brings extensive expertise in the synthesis, characterization, and formulation of cutting-edge materials, including novel polymers, hybrid polymers, and lipid-based excipients. Our innovative approach is supported by a robust library of advanced products designed to drive the future of drug delivery systems. At Curapath, we are committed to fostering groundbreaking research and providing exceptional opportunities for PhD candidates to contribute to transformative projects in pharmaceutical and biotechnological innovation.

Objectives of the PhD

The doctoral fellow will generate a library of different LNPs and PNPs and will characterize it aiming to generate a range of defined size, charge and potentially morphology library of nanoparticles looking to establish structure-activity relationships (SAR) with functional response. autonomous SPMs, being its main objective the generation of a nanoparticle library and its characterization in terms of size, mechanical and electrical properties of polymer and lipid nanoparticles for HTS purposes.

These main objectives will involve the development of polymer and lipid nanoparticle test samples for machine learning algorithm training (collaboration with other institutions in the consortium). To develop and validate a high throughput multiparametric (size, mechanical and electrical) polymer and lipid nanoparticle characterization methodology (collaboration with other institutions in the consortium). To validate the methodology with novel polymer and lipid components and optimised methodologies for polymer and lipid nanoparticle formulations for gene therapy applications.

Tasks / Responsibilities

• Project execution. Execution of established workplan maintaining timelines to accomplish deliverables and scope.
• Routine control of starting materials, standards and stock of products generated during the project execution, labelling and adequate storage.
• Creation / maintenance of internal team documents including a laboratory notebook and project reports.
• Participation in the compilation of data for SPM 4.0 Communication and dissemination activities.
• Understand, use, and follow Standard operation procedures provided by supervisors or protocols described in literature resources.
• Use and maintain communication channels to report and provide accurate information to the team leaders, leads and R&D manager.
• Interface with other Curapath Departments.
• Participation in the general housekeeping of the workplace.
• Attendance and participation in the training activities developed at Curapath.
• Attendance and participation in periodical internal technical meetings.
• Participation in process / methods adjustments and modifications by providing and discussing improvement ideas with supervisor.
• Participation in data analysis with supervision.
• Participation in the preparation of standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Routine wet lab works such as samples preparations, equipment conditioning, formulations, work-up and purifications, storage, preparation and registration of samples for characterization, stock controls, general equipment maintenance, and cleaning, etc.

Required education

Theoretical : Degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical sciences, biotechnology, etc. The Candidate must NOT have a doctoral degree.

Experience : Desirable hands on in lab routines, formulation and characterization of nanoparticulate systems.

Requisite : Candidate must comply with the MSCA-DN mobility rule : not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Host Institution Country for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.

Desired specialized knowledge and experience

• Desirable experience in hands in routine sample preparation, material characterization and interpretation of results, and in the development of novel analytical methods (HPLC, DLS, TEM, SEM, AFM…).
• Desirable experience in hands in formulation techniques (Microfluidics, Nanoprecipitation) and characterization of NPs (DLS, genetic material quantification). Basic experience in functional response testing (i.e., in vitro / in cells test). Familiar with routine sample preparation, material characterization and interpretation of results.

Competences

• Teamwork
• Commitment
• Flexibility and adaptability
• Critical thinking
• Enrolment in a PhD programme in Biochemistry and Biomedicine, Universitat de Valencia (Spain).
• Exposure to a multidisciplinary and multisectoral environment.
• Secondments at other institutions within the SPM4.0 Consortium.
• A structured training programme consisting of scientific workshops and soft skill courses.
• Opportunities for participation in national and international conferences and consortium meetings.