We are excited to announce the recruitment of 17 PhD students to join our groundbreaking project, ComeInCell.
This project offers a unique opportunity to engage in cutting-edge research in the field of Synthetic biology, working at the intersection of biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering. The project will explore how membranes and condensates together regulate protein function and drive cellular processes, towards development of innovative biomimetic platforms. These platforms will provide a deeper understanding of essential cellular processes like membrane trafficking and pathologies like neurodegenerative diseases and will open new avenues for drug discovery and therapeutic interventions. Successful candidates will benefit from a diverse and interdisciplinary training program, including secondments in leading labs and collaborations with industry partners. Our network fosters a rich environment for innovation and skill development, equipping students to lead in both academic and industrial sectors.
List of offered PhD projects for doctoral candidates (DC) m/f/d
DC-01: Light-driven exocytosis of synthetic cells encapsulating condensates
Host PI: R. Dimova, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Germany
DC-02: Exploring the impact of protein condensates on membrane resilience and repair mechanisms
Host PI: R. Dimova, Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Germany
DC-03: Active spatial positioning of condensates on membranes by self-organizing proteins
Host PI: P. Schwille, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Germany
DC-04: Synthetic neuronal mimetics to prototype and quantify membrane permeability and repair at the condensate interface
Host PI: O. Staufer, INM – Leibniz Institute for New Materials, Germany
DC-05: Biomolecular condensate interactions with the membrane in a dynamic membrane system
Host PI: M. Exterkate, Heinrich-Heine University, Germany
DC-06: Out-of-equilibrium networks for ATP- and building blocks to drive lipid synthesis and integration with condensates
Host PI: B. Poolman, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
DC-07: Condensate-mediated exocytosis and membrane localization in synthetic cells
Host PI: E. Spruijt, Radboud University, The Netherlands
DC-08: Phase-separated condensation of energy-dissipating self-organizing protein systems in crowded cell-like membrane containers
Host PI: G. Rivas, Spanish National Research Council, Spain
DC-09: Synthetic peptide scaffolds as functional protofilaments under confinement
Host PI: J. Montenegro, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
DC-10: Peptide protofilament interactions with polymeric membranes and RNA condensates
Host PI: J. Montenegro, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
DC-11: Active membrane expansion with condensates
Host PI: B. Poolman, University of Groningen, The Netherlands
DC-12: In silico membrane reshaping by molecular condensates
Host PI: A. Šarić, Institute of Science and Technology, Austria
DC-13: Photo-regulation of the interactions between membranes and protein condensates
Host PI: C. Marques, Centre National de Recherche Scientifique, France
DC-14: How can membranes control condensate formation and location?
Host PI: R. Sorkin, Tel Aviv University, Israel
DC-15: Light-controlled interactions between membrane and biomolecular condensates in artificial cells
Host PI: F. Rossi, University of Siena, Italy
DC-16: Dynamic polymeric synthetic cells: design, fusion, and condensate control for enhanced membrane behaviours
Host PI: C. Contini, Imperial College, UK
DC-17: Sculpting synthetic cell membranes with co-transcriptional RNA condensates
Host PI: L. Di Michele, University of Cambridge, UK
General Application Information
- Funding information:
Funding agency: H2020-MSCA-ITN-2023 (Project Nr: 101168939) - Doctoral Candidate (DC) Allowances:
MSCA Doctoral Networks provide attractive salary terms and benefits, including a living allowance of around €3,400 (country correction coefficient applies), a mobility allowance of €600 and, a family allowance (€660 if applicable). Note that these are gross values and employer costs or other deductions depend on the recruiting host. - Mobility Conditions:
MSCA networks require that applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their recruitment date.
The individual scientific projects are planned within one of the partner Host Institution and every doctoral candidate will spend a part of their doctoral studies in another partner laboratory (a maximum of 12 months of their 36 months PhDs). - Academic degree:
Applicants must be — at the date of recruitment — a doctoral candidate (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree). - Standard duties and responsibilities of the DC:
For the 36/48 months of employment contract (institution dependent) the doctoral candidate (DC) will be required to work exclusively on the MSCA programme. In all cases, all duties and responsibilities will be clearly outlined in the DC personal Career Development Plan, as determined in the early stages of the project between the DC and their supervisory committee. - Starting Date:
All projects will commence preferably within the first half of 2025, depending on the host institution. Contact the corresponding PIs for more details. - Application Process:
To apply, follow the host specific guidelines at the individual project pages.