Amsterdam UMC
2 weeks ago
PhD in Oligodendrocyte-Targeted Gene Therapy for PMLD1 Amsterdam UMC in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Neurology
Funding
Full-time 3-year employment contract with CING. Salary, mobility allowance, and benefits according to MSCA Doctoral Network and host-organisation rules; detailed salary information to follow. The position is embedded in the POLARIS doctoral training network and includes network-wide training, secondments, and transferable-skills development.
Deadline
Oct 5, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Amsterdam UMC
How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.
Apply for this position
Keywords
Suggested positions
About this position
MSCA-DN PhD opportunity in oligodendrocyte-targeted gene therapy for PMLD1 within the POLARIS doctoral network, a European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network focused on leukodystrophies and translational therapy development.
The project is hosted through Amsterdam UMC in the Netherlands, with the recruiting organisation being the Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING) in Nicosia, Cyprus. The PhD will be based in Nicosia and academically enrolled through the Graduate School of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics.
Research focus: neuroscience, neurobiology, neurology, gene therapy, iPSC-derived myelinating organoids, oligodendrocyte biology, AAV capsids, mouse models, leukodystrophies, PMLD1. The doctoral project aims to establish isogenic iPSC-derived myelinating organoids as a human in vitro model of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease type 1 (PMLD1), test oligodendrocyte-targeting AAV variants, and evaluate promising candidates in a PMLD1 mouse model.
Supervision and disease-specific expertise will be provided by Prof Kleopas Kleopa and Dr Irene Sargiannidou from the Neuroscience Department. A secondment in Tübingen, Germany, under Dr Hendrick Rosewich is planned for specialised training in organoid work, and a placement at the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA) offers experience in patient advocacy and networking.
Eligibility highlights include a Master’s degree in Life Sciences, preferably Neuroscience, strong interest in translational neuroscience and rare disease research, hands-on mouse research experience, behavioural or neurological phenotyping experience preferred, knowledge of animal welfare and ethical principles, strong analytical/problem-solving skills, and excellent English communication. MSCA mobility rules apply, and applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree.
Funding: full-time 3-year employment contract with salary, mobility allowance, and benefits according to MSCA Doctoral Network and host-organisation rules. The position includes network-wide training, secondments, and transferable-skills development.
Deadline: 5 October 2026. Apply through the linked AcademicTransfer/Euraxess portal. For substantive questions, contact [email protected].
Funding details
Full-time 3-year employment contract with CING. Salary, mobility allowance, and benefits according to MSCA Doctoral Network and host-organisation rules; detailed salary information to follow. The position is embedded in the POLARIS doctoral training network and includes network-wide training, secondments, and transferable-skills development.
What's required
Applicants should have a Master's degree in Life Sciences, preferably Neuroscience, and a strong interest in translational neuroscience and rare disease research. Required or preferred experience includes hands-on in vivo mouse research, behavioural or neurological phenotyping, knowledge of animal welfare regulations and ethical principles, rigorous experimental design, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and good written and verbal communication skills for interdisciplinary international collaboration. Formal certification for working with laboratory animals is highly desirable. Fluency in English is essential. MSCA eligibility applies: applicants must not already hold a doctoral degree and must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Cyprus for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment.
How to apply
Apply via the AcademicTransfer/Euraxess application link. Submit your application by 5 October 2026 and mention up to two additional POLARIS projects of interest in your application letter if relevant. For substantive questions, contact Prof Kleopas Kleopa by email.
More information can be found here
Ask ApplyKite AI
How do I apply for this?
Sign in for free to reveal details, requirements, and source links.