PhD position in the MSCA-DN CanGoNano: Glycosylated polycation cellulose nanocrystals and mRNA polyplexes for precision delivery of genetic material to antigen presenting cells University of Florence in Italy

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.