DC1: Innovative genomic technologies for the advanced characterization of myotonic dystrophy mu[...]

Organisation/Company: Genartis

Research Field: Computer science » Informatics Engineering » Biomedical engineering

Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Country: Italy

Application Deadline: 30 May 2025 - 12:30 (Europe/Paris)

Type of Contract: Temporary

Job Status: Full-time

Hours Per Week: 40

Offer Starting Date: 1 Sep 2025

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101169266

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

The ENTRY-DM Doctoral Network, funded under the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) programme, is offering 14 fully funded PhD positions across leading European institutions.

ENTRY-DM is an ambitious interdisciplinary and intersectoral training programme that will equip the next generation of researchers with the expertise to develop novel oligonucleotide-based therapies for myotonic dystrophy. This programme brings together leading academic institutions, innovative biotech companies, and patient advocacy groups, forming a unique collaborative environment for doctoral training at the intersection of fundamental science, translational medicine, and clinical application.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is the most common inherited muscular dystrophy in adults. It is a complex multi-systemic disorder, impacting not only skeletal and cardiac muscle but also the nervous system, among others. Despite recent advances in understanding the genetic and molecular mechanisms of DM, no effective treatment is currently available. The use of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to counteract the disease-causing mutant RNA has faced delivery challenges and insufficient therapeutic efficacy. The development of clinically viable RNA-targeted therapeutics requires overcoming key scientific and technological hurdles, including poor ASO biodistribution, limited penetration of critical tissues, and the lack of reliable biomarkers to monitor disease progression and treatment response.

ENTRY-DM aims to transform the therapeutic landscape for DM by training a new generation of creative PhD researchers in a structured, interdisciplinary research programme. The project will focus on three major research objectives: (1) development of innovative disease models and exploring disease mechanisms, (2) optimising ASO-based therapies, and (3) defining clinical biomarkers for clinical trials. PhD researchers will investigate genotype-phenotype correlations and RNA dynamics, leveraging cutting-edge genomics, bioinformatics, stem cell research, bioengineering of innovative 3D disease models, medicine chemistry, advanced imaging techniques, as well as neuropsychology approaches and clinical applications, in a truly multidisciplinary project.

To achieve these goals, ENTRY-DM has assembled a consortium of leading European research institutions and biotech companies, providing a truly international and intersectoral research environment. The 9 academic and 2 non-academic beneficiaries include renowned universities and research centres in France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Germany, and Poland, complemented by 13 associated partners, including patient organisations and biotech companies. Each PhD candidate will be hosted in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary and international setting, benefiting from inter-sectoral secondments, world-class supervision, and specialised training in advanced research techniques, innovation, and career development.

Join ENTRY-DM and contribute to the next wave of RNA-based therapeutics for myotonic dystrophy, a field at the cutting edge of precision medicine and molecular therapies. Be part of a transformative research network that will shape the future of rare disease treatment.

Beneficiaries & Research Institutions

The ENTRY-DM consortium includes 9 academic and 2 non-academic beneficiaries from 6 European countries, along with leading associated partners from academia, industry, and patient organisations. PhD positions are available at the following institutions:

• Inserm (Paris, France) – 2 positions
• Radboud University Medical Centre (Nijmegen, The Netherlands) – 2 positions

Genartis is an innovative start-up, specialized in personalised genomics and DNA sequencing, that tightly collaborates with the Functional Genomics Laboratory of the University of Verona (associated partner of the ENTRY-DM project).

Candidate’s Profile

We are looking for a highly motivated DC with a dynamic, international mindset and adaptability to diverse research settings and company environment. Research interests must include genomic technologies and their applications. The candidate must have a solid background in bioinformatics, hands-on experience in programming/scripting skills (e.g. Bash, Perl, Python, R) and familiarity with the Unix environment. A master’s degree in computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, bioengineering, or a related field is required. Candidates with a master’s degree in biotechnology will be considered only when combined with an extensive hands-on experience in bioinformatics. Preference will be given to candidates with background in genomics, with previous experience in the analysis of next-generation-sequencing data. Proficiency in English is mandatory, and some basic knowledge of Italian is recommended to facilitate broader institutional and social interactions.

Doctoral candidates will spend time on secondment during their 36 month employment contracts. Anticipated secondments for this position are:

1. Universita Degli Studi di Roma Tor Vergata, Annalisa Botta (Rome, Italy). Selection of DM cases for genetic test validation and epigenetic analysis.
2. Inserm, Stéphanie Tomé (Paris, France). Validation of novel pathogenic motifs with an orthogonal long-read sequencing method (PacBio)

Application Requirements

• A detailed CV (maximum two pages), specifying educational background (name of university/universities, year degree(s) obtained, title(s) of degree(s)), qualifications, work experience, skills, research interests, list of publications (if any) and the names and contact details of two referees.
• A motivation letter (maximum two pages), describing the candidate’s interest in the network, previous research experience, and current research interest outlining the fit to the desired PhD Project. If you are planning to apply to more than one position in the network, please limit your applications to three positions maximum (from DC1 to DC14) and please provide a separate document detailing which positions you have applied for.
• Copy of passport or National Identify Card.
• Copies of academic certificates (BSc, MSc, and any other relevant diplomas), translated into English, including expected final grade and date.
• Proof of English proficiency, demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL, or a university certification confirming that the degree or MSc thesis was conducted in English.
• Two recommendation letters (maximum 1 page each).

Only documents in English will be accepted.

Applications failing to include the requested documentation, who do not indicate the preferred projects or do not meet the eligibility criteria, will not be considered.

Benefits

• Cutting-edge research training in oligonucleotide-based therapies for rare diseases.
• First-hand experience in translational research, working across biology, chemistry, bioengineering, computational biology, and clinical research.
• International, interdisciplinary, and intersectoral mobility, with secondments across Europe and USA.
• Joint supervision by leading experts from academia, industry, and clinical sectors.
• Participation in international conferences, workshops, and transferable skills training.
• Competitive salary, mobility allowance, and family allowance (if applicable), following MSCA-DN funding rules.

Marie Sklodowska-Curie PhDs are paid a competitive gross salary of 3,400 €/month, adjusted for their host country, a Mobility Allowance of 600 €/month and, for researchers who have a family, a Family Allowance of 660 €/month. All amounts are subject to deductions and taxes. Family is defined as persons linked to the researcher by (a) marriage, or (b) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the national legislation of the country of the beneficiary or of nationality of the researcher, or (c) dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher.

Eligibility Criteria

• MSc degree: Candidates must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biology, biomedicine, neuroscience, chemistry, bioengineering, or related fields. Candidates must not have been awarded a previous PhD degree.
• Trans-national mobility: The applicant must have not resided in the country where the research training takes place for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment, and not have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in that country (MSCA mobility rule).
• English proficiency: Applicants must have excellent English proficiency, at least B2 level (written and spoken).

Selection Process

Our selection procedure will adhere to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, to ensure global accessibility and a transparent, competitive selection process. The submissions will be first screened for eligibility, after which each supervising team will make selection decisions. Selection criteria will consider motivation, interests, academic qualifications, grades, and prior experience. The shortlisted candidates will be invited by the supervising team to meet virtually and/or visit the host institution. The final decision to offer a position will rest with the supervising team of each DC position. All candidates will be informed of the outcome of their applications.

The desired research field for candidates is Genomics, Bioinformatics.

Basic knowledge of the Italian language is not a mandatory requirement but a preference.