PhD position in EU Doctoral Network PANDORA: Discovering pathomechanisms and novel drug optimisation for AMD (DC10) Fundación MEDINA in Spain

Fundación MEDINA is offering a fully funded PhD position within the EU MSCA Doctoral Network PANDORA (Pathomechanisms and Novel Drug Optimization for AMD), based in Granada, Spain. The project, DC10, focuses on phenotypic drug discovery in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) with an emphasis on oxidative stress, complement-associated damage, and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) dysfunction.

The doctoral researcher will develop disease-relevant cellular models using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiated into retinal pigment epithelial (iPSC-RPE) cells. These models will be used for morphological, molecular, and functional characterization, as well as for validating compounds identified through screening. The project includes establishing high-throughput screening assays, screening a library of antioxidant and redox-modulating compounds, and evaluating selected microbial natural products from the MEDINA collection.

A major component of the work will involve High-Content Imaging and Cell Painting to generate multiparametric morphological profiles of cellular stress responses and compound-mediated rescue. The candidate will also analyse high-dimensional imaging data using computational and bioinformatic approaches such as feature extraction, dimensionality reduction, clustering, and statistical analysis. Promising compounds will be tested further in genetic models of complement-mediated AMD within the PANDORA network.

The position offers state-of-the-art training at the interface of stem cell biology, retinal disease modelling, phenotypic drug discovery, imaging, and computational biology. The successful applicant will join the Screening & Target Validation Department and work in a multidisciplinary and international environment with access to automated screening platforms, high-content microscopy, and natural-product drug discovery expertise.

Funding is provided through Horizon Europe / MSCA with 36 months of support and a gross salary of 3,294.77€ before taxes and employee social security deductions. The role starts on 1 February 2027 and is full-time. Applicants must meet MSCA mobility and doctoral eligibility rules: they must not have spent more than 12 months in Spain in the 36 months before recruitment and must not already hold a doctoral degree.

Applications should include a CV, a one-page cover letter describing research experience and motivation, and the contact details of one or two academic referees. Please email the materials to [email protected]. Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr. Rosario Fernández-Godino at [email protected].