The STEM-CORE (Stem Cell Therapy Development for Corneal Epithelium Regeneration) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) programme aims to explore strategies for developing stem cell therapies and biomaterials. As one of the doctoral candidates, you will receive comprehensive training to become a leading expert in regenerative medicine of the eye, through interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international research. Additionally, you will develop valuable transferable and soft skills, such as management, leadership and communication.
STEM-CORE selection procedure
MSCA mobility rules: the recruited researchers must comply with the following condition: NOT have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date — unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention.
Screening: The eligibility of candidates will be verified by the prospective supervisors, the project manager, and their HR department. Candidates will be selected based on the following criteria: academic ability and experience with relevant technologies (curriculum vitae, course grades, and previous experience), scientific motivation (application letter), and potential to excel (reference letters). Candidates who are not selected will be notified.
First interview: Interviews attended by their prospective (co-)supervisors will be held via online platforms. In general, for the first-round online interview, we will select 3-6 candidates, with a balanced gender representation. Candidates who are not selected for the second interview round will be notified.
Second interview: The second round of interviews could be held in person, where the candidates are invited to present their relevant experience and expertise, and, potentially, previous research. Two or three candidates selected from the first-round online interview will be further evaluated by their prospective (co-)supervisors, e.g., secondment supervisors. Colleagues of the prospective supervisor’s organizations may also be invited to the interview. Candidates who are not selected for the second interview round will be notified.
Final evaluation: The final selection of a candidate will be made by the prospective supervisor, with input from the co-supervisor and colleagues. The positive or negative selection outcome will be communicated to all applicants. The selected top candidate will first be invited to negotiate and sign a contract.
We will adopt an open, efficient and transparent recruitment procedure, conforming to the ‘European Charter of Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers’, and no discrimination on gender, race, age, nationality, and ethnic or social origin will be tolerated.
Nanoparticles & Nanocomposites Candidate
The PhD fellow at ICMAB will develop bioactive biobased hydrogels for corneal (stem) cell culture as an animal-free cell scaffold and will profit from internships in other consortium labs.
Does this sound like you?
- You hold a Master's degree in chemistry, materials science, biotechnology, biomedical science, or a related field, or you expect to obtain your Master’s degree before 1st January 2026.
- You have experience in one or more of the following areas: hydrogels, soft matter characterization techniques, and cell culture. Experience in microbial nanocellulose, stem cell culture, and/or peptide is a plus but not required.
- You bring curiosity and enthusiasm, enjoy thinking critically, communicate openly, and take initiative.
- You can work in a team as well as independently, and you are willing to undertake research internships in various European countries.
- You have outstanding writing and verbal communication skills in English.
Where you will be working
We offer a first-class international research environment in nano-bio-materials, where you will be supervised by Anna Roig of the Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites (NN) Group at ICMAB-CISC.
About ICMAB
ICMAB-CSIC is a global, multidisciplinary research institute specializing in cutting-edge research on functional materials for electronics, energy, and health. It is characterized by internationalization, inclusion and diversity education policies. The excellence of the center has been recognized by obtaining the Severo Ochoa Seal of Excellence in 3 consecutive calls. The Institute offers a comprehensive range of scientific and technical services. These services are backed by state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation and highly specialized technical personnel.
How to apply
Applications should be addressed to ICMAB researcher Anna Roig (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by December 20, 2025.
A single pdf file should include the following in this order (minimum font size 11):
- a cover letter highlighting the interest in the position and a short description of previous research (max 1 page)
- curriculum vitae (max 3 pages) including the names and contact addresses (e-mail) of two academic referees.
Read more here.
More information about the STEM-CORE project
STEM-CORE | Radboud University
ICMAB - Two new MSCA Doctoral fellows at ICMAB to join European networks STEM-CORE and FADOS
Stem Cell Therapy Development for Corneal Epithelium Regeneration | STEM-CORE | Project | Fact Sheet | HORIZON | CORDIS | European Commission
