In the framework of the Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions - Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) the Consortium of the project “Targeting RNA as an approach for treating retinal disease” (RETORNA) has opened a call for candidates interested in joining a PhD programme on the topic "Retinal miRNAs as molecular targets for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa" with the duration of 36 months starting from January 2024.
RETORNA proposes breakthrough research, distributed in 10 individual projects, performed by 10 Doctoral candidates (one of them being DC10), in the following countries: Ireland, Spain, Netherlands, Türkiye, Germany and Italy.
DC10 will be hired full time for 36 months by Universidad Católica de Valencia (UCV) in Valencia, Spain and will work mainly in Valencia, with various secondments in RETORNA consortium. Secondments are foreseen during the project.
DC10: retinal miRNAs as molecular targets for the treatment of retinitis pigmentosa (RP)
Host supervisor: Dr. Javier Sancho-Pelluz (Universidad Católica de Valencia, Spain)
Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is a heterogeneous group of inherited diseases that damages photoreceptors and leads to blindness. Gene therapy is the approach that has had the best effect to date to treat RP. However, this type of approach requires individualized and tailor-made patient treatment, due to the great heterogeneity of mutations that we found.
Objectives: The main objective of the present project is to carry out a comparative study of the profile of miRNAs in aqueous humor of RP and healthy patients and to compare them with the retinal miRNoma in an animal model, the rd10 mouse, and its healthy counterpart. After the comparative study, those miRNAs that are altered in human and animal models will be chosen and used as possible molecular targets.
Approach: The miRNoma of patients and animals will be sequenced and analyzed. Matching deregulated miRNAs will be added to rd10 retinal organotypic cultures. The combination with the best results will proceed to the in vivo phase of the study: subretinal injections in rd10 mice.
Expected Results:
1. miRNoma of RP patients and animal model for RP.
2. Selection of deregulated miRNAs in the disease.
3. Potential RNA therapy.
Eligibility criteria
Please read carefully ALL the eligibility criteria and apply only if you possess them:
- candidates can be of any nationality
- possess a Master degree or an equivalent that allows the access to the PhD in the Universidad Católica de Valencia
- not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
- be, at the date of recruitment, a doctoral candidate (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree).
- must comply with the following mobility rule: researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) and participate in all the activities foreseen by the project when taking up the appointment (trainings, summer courses, annual meetings, lectures, participation in conferences, public activities).
Requirements
Read carefully ALL the requirements as they are equally important:
- have MSc level training in the fields related to the project
- possess scientific skills and research experience related to the DC10 project, among others:
- cell culture
- experience in animal handling: DC should possess or agree to attend a course on animal handling Function A, B and C
- biology lab techniques
- scientific background
- possess a good working level of English: candidates must demonstrate during the interview a good ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English, sufficiently high to fully benefit from the experience
- Spanish language is not mandatory but highly recommended in order to integrate better and faster into the Spanish culture
- team work: feel confortable working in group in the lab with other 4 colleagues in common projects and sharing experiments and results, learning from one another.
- be highly motivated to participate in 3 years programme and commit to obtain the PhD degree
- be available and agree with travelling in the RETORNA consortium for the foreseen secondments in other partners' laboratories
- be able to work autonomously when needed
- have initiative and be pro-active
- previous experience in working in labs is highly apreciated
- love or feel interest/curiosity for the Spanish culture
- possess a good level of English
Benefits
RETORNA Doctoral candidate will be employed according to the rules for Doctoral Candidates in MSCA Doctoral Network and the general regulations of the hosting institution.
The monthly financial package will include the following researcher allowances:
1) Living allowance
2) Mobility allowance
3) Family allowance if applicable.
The full-time gross annual salary amounts to € 34.363,56 (family allowance will be calculated only if applicable).
The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months and starts in January 2024.
Other benefits:
The selected candidate, together with other selected 9 DCs, will benefit from a large variety of activities foreseen for them with costs covered by the Project. DCs at RETORNA will be provided with a unique multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral training. DCs will be trained as scientists, each of them in their host institution, at their research secondments, and through local and network wide events. Thanks to the partnership between academic and non-academic entities, DCs will receive multi-sectoral inputs from both worlds.
How to apply:
Interested candidates should submit the following documents via email to [Email Address Removed], indicating in the e-mail title "RETORNA - DC10 application nov. 2023":
- a detailed CV, including – if applicable – relevant publications
- a motivation letter specific for DC10 project, indicating why you wish to conduct this research project
- transcripts of bachelor&master and degrees
- two references contact (name, surname, e-mail, working position)
- certificate of animal handling if any
- English certificate if any
All documents must be named as "type of document Name Surname" (i.e. Motivation letter Andreea Craciun, CV Andreea Craciun)
Please read carefully ALL the details that you can find also on Euraxess or on the RETORNA website and apply ONLY if:
- in possess of the requirements and eligibility criteria
- really interested in the individual and global project
Deadline: extended until the 10th of December 2023
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