PhD Position: Breaking Barriers to Resolve Cardiovascular Inflammation with Bioactive Lipids University of Lorraine in France

This PhD position at the University of Lorraine, supervised by Professor Magnus Bäck, offers an exciting opportunity to advance research in cardiovascular inflammation and bioactive lipid therapeutics. The project is based at INSERM U1116 DCAC in Nancy, France, and focuses on developing innovative strategies to resolve chronic inflammation, a major driver of cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and heart failure.

Current anti-inflammatory therapies are limited by immunosuppressive side effects, highlighting the need for alternative approaches that promote the natural resolution of inflammation. Specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs), including resolvins, lipoxins, and maresins, are bioactive lipid molecules derived from polyunsaturated fatty acids that actively terminate inflammation, promote tissue repair, and restore homeostasis without compromising immune competence. Despite promising preclinical evidence, clinical translation of SPMs is hindered by challenges in their stability, bioavailability, and delivery.

The PhD project aims to overcome these barriers by designing advanced lipid-based delivery systems, such as liposomal formulations, to protect bioactive mediators and facilitate their transport across biological barriers like the gastrointestinal tract and mucosal interfaces. The research will involve physicochemical characterization of these systems, evaluation of their permeability using in vitro models, and assessment of the impact of formulation parameters on transport efficiency.

A key aspect of the project is to determine whether bioactive lipid mediators retain their biological activity after formulation and passage through biological barriers. This will be investigated using cellular models relevant to cardiovascular inflammation, with functional assays to evaluate mechanisms such as modulation of inflammatory responses, reactive oxygen species production, and phagocytic clearance. The outcomes will provide critical insights into the relationship between delivery, bioavailability, and biological efficacy.

This multidisciplinary project integrates expertise in cardiovascular pathophysiology, inflammation biology, and drug formulation, aiming to bridge the gap between fundamental discoveries and therapeutic applications. It addresses unmet needs in the field by focusing on both the biological activity of bioactive lipids and the practical challenges of their delivery. In the short to medium term, the research is expected to advance understanding of the determinants of bioactive lipid bioavailability and barrier transport. In the longer term, it may contribute to the development of innovative therapies for cardiovascular diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions.

Applicants should have a Master’s degree in medical or pharmaceutical sciences, physiology, life sciences, or a related field, with skills in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, pharmacology, and experience in cardiovascular pathophysiology and immunology. Good proficiency in English and French is required. The position is full-time and starts on October 1, 2026, with an application deadline of July 15, 2026.

For further information and to apply, visit the ADUM portal or contact [email protected]. References to recent research and reviews on liposomal drug delivery and inflammation resolution are provided in the position description.