ESRF - PhD student at ILL: software development for SAXS/SANS/PCS analysis of drug delivery systems

At a glance

Job title: PhD student at ILL: software development for SAXS/SANS/PCS analysis of drug delivery systems
Ref.: NS25-ILL06
Contract type: Time-limited contract
Salary range: 32.7K€
Deadline for applications: 02/05/2025
Expected deadline of applications: 02/05/2025
Publication start on Front Office : Site internet: 03/03/2025
Contract duration: 3 years (1 year renewable 2 years)

Context & Job description

Thesis subject: Development of a combined SAXS/SANS/PCS analysis method for studies on the mesoscopic structure of lipid nanoparticles based mRNA delivery systems.

You will develop, implement, test, and apply a robust fully automated AI assisted SAXS/SANS/PCS data evaluation software which will allow for an effective analysis of the complex mesoscopic structure of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for parenteral drug delivery. Such systems are currently being intensively developed worldwide and undergoing clinical trials. However, knowledge of the structure-function relationships of those but also corresponding systems that are already available on the market is very limited. You will closely work together with another PhD student who will work on self-prepared but also commercially available drug-free and drug-loaded LNP dispersions and, beside other methods, perform SAXS/SANS/PCS experimental studies.

You will join the Computing for Science (CS) and the Large Scale Structures (LSS) groups at the ILL. You will benefit from the CS experience to develop the analysis software following best practices, and you will participate in experiments at the D22 SANS instrument to characterise the LNPs, with a special focus in simultaneous SAXS/SANS and Photon Correlation Spectroscopy (PCS) experiments. At the Institute for Crystallography and Structural Physics (ICSP) at FAU in Erlangen you will participate in the broad experience on the mesoscopic structure and dynamics of lipid nanoparticle (LNP) dispersions for parenteral drug delivery systems.

The aim of the PhD project is to provide and use the mentioned novel data evaluation software to accelerate and - for cases with enormous amounts of data such as time resolved kinetic studies - to enable a meaningful and accurate evaluation of the structure function relationship of LNP based drug delivery systems for mRNA delivery and beyond.

Further information may be obtained from: Dr. Miguel Angel Gonzalez (phone: +33 4 76 20 71 66, email: gonzalezm@ill.fr), Dr. Lionel Porcar (phone: +33 4 76 20 70 25, email: porcar@ill.fr), and Prof. Dr. Tobias Unruh (phone: +49 9131 8525189, email: tobias.unruh@fau.de)

Expected profile

- Degree allowing admission to doctoral degree (such as MSc, Master 2 de Recherche, Laurea or equivalent) in physics, informatics or a closely related degree program. Degrees must have been granted by European universities or already recognised as equivalent.

- A strong background in physics, computer science, and programming is mandatory, interest in performing experimental work is desirable, and knowledge of light, X-ray, and neutron scattering techniques would be an advantage.

- Manual skills and rigorous attention to detail are essential in this work environment.

- Proficiency in English (A proof of upper-intermediate level must be included in the application. Applicants originating from native-English-speaking countries can apply without the need for proof of level. An official degree conducted in English will be also accepted as a proof). If the applicant is unable to provide proof, an English test (free of charge) will be requested.

- Compliance with the Marie Sklodowska-Curie mobility rule: candidates may not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host institute’s country for more than twelve months in the three years immediately before the application deadline.

- All researchers recruited must be doctoral candidates, i.e. not already working towards or in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment.

- Candidates must satisfy the conditions for enrolment in a doctoral programme.

Working conditions

The successful candidate will be admitted to the Graduate School Engineering of Advanced Materials (GS EAM) at Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU, Germany) and based full-time at the ILL (Grenoble, France), other than a minimum of two months and a maximum of six months of secondment to FAU. Additional visits at FAU are possible when needed. Furthermore, a varied pedagogical training programme will be offered to the successful candidate throughout the 3-year PhD project.

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Company description

NEXTSTEP will train 36 young and enthusiastic researchers to exploit the unique and transversal capabilities of analytical research infrastructures in tackling the challenges associated with sustainable development and industrial competitiveness in the areas of “Health”, “Digital, Industry & Space”, “Climate, Energy and Mobility” and “Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment”, which are at the heart of Horizon Europe. Host laboratories: ESRF and ILL (France), FZJ (Germany), AREA (Italy), NTNU (Norway).