Stellenangebote

EU Project INTROS

DC2

Organisation: Universität des Saarlandes (Saarland University), Germany

Research field: Biomaterials / Nanochemistry / Nanoparticles / Pharmaceutical Chemistry / Production Technology / Process Engineering / Preventive Wound Treatment / Anti-inflammatory and Antimicrobial Dressing / Particulate Delivery Systems 

Researcher profile: Doctoral Candidate (first stage researcher DC)

Country: Germany

Sector: Academic

Department: Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology

Principal Investigator: Prof. Dr. Marc Schneider

Number of offers available: 1

Application deadline: 14/11/2025 23:59:59 Berlin

Type of contract: Temporary

Job status: Full-time

Hours per week: 39.5

EU research framework programme: HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01-01

Marie Curie Grant Agreement number: 101227378

Position Title pH responsive wound coverage containing antibacterial and/or antioxidative materials.

Starting Date 01.04.2026

Job Description

The advertised doctoral position will be carried out at Saarland University over a period of 36 months. The recruited researcher will be supervised by Prof. Dr. Marc Schneider and work in the department of Biopharmaceutics and Pharmaceutical Technology, led by Prof. Dr. Marc Schneider. The doctoral candidate will be registered for the PhD programme at Saarland University, Germany according to the respective requirements. 

The project will focus on the development of an adaptive wound coverage system capable of responding to pH changes in the wound environment, particularly during infection. The main working tasks of the advertised position are

(1) Preparation of pH-responsive nanoparticles loaded with antimicrobial and antioxidant agents for targeted action at infected wound sites based on a spinning disk system. 

(2) Development of polymeric wound coverage films incorporating or supporting these nanoparticles

(3) Exploration of probiotic-loaded films as a living, bio-responsive material capable of further enhancing the wound environment through microbiome support

Contribute to the drafting of technical and scientific documentation (reports, publications, patents).

Actively participate in consortium meetings and dissemination activities.

In the frame of the research project, short term (secondment) visits at other partners premises are envisioned. As per call requirements, candidate will spend at least half of the total contract time in a non-academic environment. 

This doctoral position DC2 is fully funded by the Marie Skłodowska Curie Action Industrial Doctorate INTROS (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01-01). 

The monthly gross salary will comprise a living allowance (€4010/month corrected with the country factor of the recruiting institution (before taxes and including employer contribution), mobility allowance (€710/month) and if applicable a family allowance (€660/month). The family allowance will be implemented if the doctoral candidate has or acquires family obligations (i.e. marriage or relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalised or dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher) during the action duration. 

Please note: National and institutional taxes, and social contributions apply to all DC fellowships and will be deducted from the allowances. The provided amount is not conclusive, and a country correction coefficient applies to the living allowance in order to ensure equal treatment and purchasing power parity for all researchers and will be defined prior the recruitment starting. For further details see the specific positions following the link provided in the section above.

The candidate will be employed by a single, three years employment contract offering social security, holiday rights, parental leave rights, pension provision, healthcare insurance and accident coverage at work. Researchers must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country.

For more info on MSCA-DN-ID visit the website marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks.

The recruited candidate will work as part of an international, interdisciplinary and young team accounting for 8 doctoral candidates located at different universities and company in Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Spain and Belgium. 

The recruited candidate will attend yearly summer school and international meetings and secondments whilst receiving training on research and transferrable skills. The recruited candidate is expected to finish the project with a PhD thesis and to disseminate the results through open access publications in peer-reviewed journals, patents (when applicable) and presentation and poster at national and international conferences. 

Background Information

MSCA-DN-ID are industrial doctorate programmes funded by the European Union. Positions in the frame of these programmes are offered to European and non-European doctoral candidates to implement individual projects in a European country other than their own. All doctoral networks have the objective in promoting international, inter-sectoral and multidisciplinary collaboration in doctoral-level training in Europe. Additionally, industrial doctorate requires the mandatory involvement of the non-academic sector in the doctoral training and the candidate will spend 50% of working time in the non-academic sector. 

The INTROS project will create an interdisciplinary and intersectoral network to train 8 doctoral candidates for a period of 36 months. Their training will be supported by 12 Parties comprising a network of 5 industries and 7 academic partners from Germany, Slovenia, Italy, Spain and Belgium offering altogether a rich, multidisciplinary and intersectoral environment for the training of the successful candidates.

INTROS will focus on the design and development of cutting-edge (bio)materials and technologies such as nano-/micro-sized delivery systems, hydrogel- and bacterial nanocellulose-based patches, biodegradable and biocompatible electrical sensors, polyurethanes, and biologically active extracellular vesicles. These solutions aim to prevent inflammation, promote tissue regeneration, and minimize infection-related complications such as scarring and long-term impairments.

Requirements: 

Qualifications / experience: 

• The candidate must not be already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.

• Degree in life science (included but not limited to chemistry, pharmacy, biotechnology, etc) or related field. M.Sc. preferred.

• Experience in at least one of the following areas: Nanoprecipitation, drug delivery

• Practical experience in laboratory environment is a plus.

• Basic knowledge of colloid and surface science, drug delivery 

• Good organisation and communication skills, willing to travel for short or longer period. 

• Flexible and co-operative with a well-structured and autonomous working style.

• Fluency in written and spoken English is a must. German knowledge is a plus.

Mobility: 

The candidate must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies etc) in Germany for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before their date of recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account. For international European research organisations, international organisations, or entities created under Union law, recruited researchers must not have spent more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before their date of recruitment in the same appointing organisation.

Further specific-national requirement: N/A

How to apply: 

Interested candidates are strongly advised to carefully read the job description and eligibility criteria before applying. For inquiries, please contact Prof. Dr. Marc Schneider at marc.schneider@uni-saarland.de.

To apply please send a complete CV and a letter of motivation (up to 2 pages) stating the research experience and interest and name and contact information of at least two referees providing recommendation letter to Ms. Groß at karin.gross(at)uni-saarland.de. Please use the formula “INTROS – Application DC2” in the object of your correspondence. Additionally, copies of diplomas and list of courses taken, and grade obtained as well as proof of English level needs to be included in the application. 

Any other information you deem relevant for application purpose may be included in the application (e.g. pdf of a recent scientific publication, extra curriculum activities, certificates).

Eligible applicants will undergo a pre-selection evaluation based on the CV, experience and skills. Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview with the evaluation committee members. 

Application for multiple position is possible. 

For further information about Saarland University please visit www.uni-saarland.de. 

Assessment of application start: 15 November 2025. Interviews are planned for December 2025.