Barbara Richichi

The University of Florence is offering a fully funded PhD position within the MSCA-DN “CanGoNano” European Training Network, focusing on glycosylated cellulose nanocrystals/gold nanoparticles hybrids for the precision delivery of antigenic peptides to antigen presenting cells. This innovative project is part of the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks, aiming to advance glyconanomaterials as tools for cancer immunotherapy. The research will be conducted at the Department of Chemistry ‘Ugo Schiff’, University of Florence, under the supervision of Prof. Barbara Richichi and Prof. Marco Marradi, with co-supervision from Dr. Jürgen Mairhofer (EnGenes Biotech GmbH, Austria) and Dr. Paula Videira (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Portugal). The project involves multiple functionalization and characterization of CNC-Au-LA with N3-tagged HER2/OVA peptides and fluorescent probes, biomolecular interaction studies using cryo-EM, and in vitro evaluation of functional activity. Training will cover synthesis of CNC-based glyconanomaterials, advanced microscopy, recombinant lectin expression, and cell biology. Doctoral candidates will benefit from international, intersectoral, and interdisciplinary training, including planned secondments at EnGenes Biotech (industry, Austria) and Universidade Nova de Lisboa (academia, Portugal). The position is for 36 months, starting 1 November 2026, and includes enrolment in the PhD School of Chemical Science at the University of Florence. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biotechnology, (Nano)Materials Science, or related fields, with practical experience in organic and materials chemistry and characterization techniques. Good English proficiency is required. Candidates must not already possess a doctoral degree and must comply with the MSCA mobility rule. Full-time commitment to research, adherence to intellectual property and confidentiality regulations, and submission of all required documents in English are mandatory. The fellowship is paid in accordance with MSCA rules, with salary and benefits as per Horizon Europe guidelines. Equal opportunities policy applies, and candidates of all nationalities and genders are encouraged to apply. International mobility during the fellowship is mandatory and may account for up to 30% of the contract duration. To apply, candidates must submit their application via the project website (www.cangonano.eu) using the 'APPLY NOW' function, following the 8-step procedure. Required documents include CV, motivation letter, recommendation letter(s), and relevant diplomas. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews with supervisors from the network. For questions not addressed in the guidelines, contact [email protected]. The application deadline is 26 April 2026. The position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of glyconanotechnology and cancer immunotherapy, with tailored training and international collaboration across the CanGoNano consortium.

PhD position within the MSCA Doctoral Network “CanGoNano” at the University of Florence The Department of Chemistry “Ugo Schiff”, University of Florence (Italy), is recruiting one Doctoral Candidate for the MSCA-DN project CanGoNano , a European Training Network focused on glyconanomaterials for cancer immunotherapy. The project combines glycoscience, nanomaterials, and immunology to develop precision tools that can trigger antigen presenting cells using antigenic peptides and mRNA encoding these peptides. Project title: Glycosylated polycation cellulose nanocrystals and mRNA polyplexes for the precision delivery of genetic material to antigen presenting cells. Research focus: The PhD will investigate the synthesis of polycationic cellulose nanocrystals with quaternary ammonium groups, their multiple functionalization with carbohydrate fragments and fluorescent probes, and the preparation and physicochemical characterization of pCNC/mRNA polyplexes. The project also includes evaluation of immunogenicity and training in advanced microscopy, antibody isotyping, and T cell culture. Supervision and network: The position is supervised at UNIFI by Prof. Barbara Richichi and Prof. Marco Marradi, with co-supervision from Maria Elisa Perico (Aptuit, Italy) and Sandra Van Vliet (Amsterdam UMC, Netherlands). The doctoral candidate will also benefit from planned secondments to Amsterdam UMC and Aptuit, gaining international and intersectoral experience in APC/T-cell cross-talk and in vivo immunogenicity studies. Training environment: CanGoNano offers an international, interdisciplinary doctoral training programme designed under the EU principles for innovative doctoral training. The network aims to build strong expertise in glycoscience, glyconanomaterials, and translational cancer immunotherapy, with career development opportunities in academia and industry. Eligibility highlights: Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent in Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Biotechnology, (Nano)Materials Science, or a closely related field. Practical experience in organic and materials chemistry and characterization techniques is required, alongside a good command of English and a proactive, team-oriented attitude. Candidates must not already hold a doctoral degree and must satisfy the MSCA mobility rule. They must also meet the University of Florence PhD admission requirements at the start of the contract. Funding and duration: The post is funded through Horizon Europe / MSCA Doctoral Networks and provides a temporary gross research fellowship for 36 months, starting 1 November 2026. Application deadline: 1 September 2026. How to apply: Applications must be submitted online via the project website. The application package should include the CV, motivation letter, recommendation letter(s), and relevant diplomas/documents, all in English. Incomplete applications and applications submitted by any other route will not be considered.