Ine Lentacker

This fully funded 4-year PhD opportunity is a collaborative doctoral partnership between Ghent University (Belgium) and the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC, Italy), focusing on the development and advanced physico-chemical characterization of mRNA therapeutics and lipid nanoparticles (LNPs). The project is situated at the intersection of pharmaceutical sciences, nanomedicine, and regulatory science, aiming to support the translation of innovative health biotechnologies—specifically mRNA-based Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs)—from laboratory to market. The doctoral candidate will conduct experimental research on ATMP development and characterization, spending 24 months at Ghent University and 24 months at the JRC in Ispra, Italy. The research will involve developing advanced analytical tools to better understand the stability of mRNA-LNPs in biological media and their effects on immune cells. The project is highly multidisciplinary, requiring knowledge in pharmaceutical sciences, biology, chemistry, and regulatory science. The candidate will also be expected to write scientific papers, present at conferences, and contribute to departmental activities such as supervising internships and master students. Applicants must hold a Master's degree (preferably in Pharmaceutical Sciences), be nationals of an EU Member State or a country associated with the EU Research Framework Programme, or meet specific residency requirements. Strong English communication skills, a passion for experimental research, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are essential. Medical fitness and security clearance are required. The position is fully funded, with an initial 12-month contract extendable to 48 months, and includes employment as a Grant-holder Category 20 at the JRC under national law contracts. This is a unique opportunity for candidates interested in regulatory science, nanomedicine, and the advancement of mRNA-based ATMPs at the European level. For more information, candidates are encouraged to contact Prof. Ine Lentacker or Dr. Rein Verbeke at Ghent University.

Ghent University, in collaboration with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, invites applications for a fully funded PhD fellowship in the Department of Pharmaceutics. The successful candidate will join the Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines within the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, focusing on the development and advanced characterization of innovative mRNA therapeutics, particularly mRNA-lipid nanoparticles (mRNA-LNPs) as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). This unique Collaborative Doctoral Partnership offers a four-year doctoral training program, including a two-year research stay at the JRC in Ispra, Italy, and a two-year research stay at Ghent University in Belgium. The project aims to develop advanced analytical tools to better understand the stability and immune-targeting potential of mRNA-LNPs, contributing to the regulatory science and faster clinical translation of health biotechnologies. The doctoral fellow will be employed as a Grantholder at the JRC during the Italy phase, with employment terms governed by JRC and national regulations. The position is fully funded for up to 48 months, subject to annual evaluation. The research will involve experimental work in ATMP development, regular evaluation and presentation of results, scientific writing, and departmental contributions such as supervising internships and master students. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences, biomedical sciences, or bioengineering sciences, and demonstrate strong English communication skills, motivation, and a multidisciplinary mindset. Eligibility is limited to nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or associated countries. Medical fitness and compliance with EU/national security and recruitment regulations are required. This fellowship provides an excellent opportunity to work at the interface of academia and European policy, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant international research environment. The application deadline is March 24, 2026. For more information, contact Prof. Ine Lentacker or Dr. Rein Verbeke.

This PhD position at Ghent University’s Department of Pharmaceutics offers an exciting opportunity to join the Ghent Research Group on Nanomedicines, focusing on the analytics of mRNA-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) therapeutics in biological contexts. The project is a collaborative doctoral partnership with the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission, aiming to advance the development and regulatory science of innovative health biotechnological drugs, particularly mRNA therapeutics. The research will address the challenges of physico-chemical characterization of mRNA-LNPs, which are in late-phase clinical trials as Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). The doctoral fellow will develop advanced analytical tools to better understand the stability of mRNA-LNPs in biological media, contributing to the faster translation of health biotechnologies from laboratory to market. The project is multidisciplinary, involving pharmaceutical sciences, analytical chemistry, biotechnology, and regulatory science. The doctoral training program spans four years, with two years at Ghent University (Belgium) and two years at the JRC in Ispra, Italy. During the JRC stay, the student will be employed as a Grantholder Category 20, with employment terms governed by JRC and national regulations. The position is fully funded, covering salary and employment benefits for up to 48 months, subject to positive evaluations. Applicants should hold a Master’s degree in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical sciences, or bioengineering sciences, and demonstrate strong English communication skills. Eligibility is limited to nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or associated countries. The selection process includes a CV-based preselection at Ghent University, followed by a CV and interview-based selection at the JRC. Medical fitness and compliance with EU and national regulations are required. The successful candidate will conduct experimental research, present results at conferences, write scientific papers, and contribute to departmental activities such as supervising internships and master’s students. The position offers a dynamic, collaborative, and multidisciplinary research environment, with the opportunity to work at the interface of academia and European policy-making. For more information, contact Prof. Ine Lentacker or Dr. Rein Verbeke. Applications should be submitted via the provided application link before the deadline of March 24, 2026.