Fifteen (15) PhD Positions, TargetCaRe Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN), Netherlands (2015-2016)

TargetCaRe is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (MSCA-ITN) on targeting cartilage regeneration in joints and intervertebral disc diseases in the Horzion2020 programme of the European Union. In total, 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) will be appointed by the TargetCaRe consortium for 36 months each.

TargetCaRe project summary
Mobility is very important for human well-being, but is seriously impaired by chronic low back pain and osteoarthritis in many people worldwide. This is due to degeneration of the cartilaginous tissue of the intervertebral disc and joint. To develop a treatment for these diseases, in the TargetCaRe consortium novel highly advanced drug delivery carriers with dedicated targeting tools, state of the art imaging techniques and expertise in stem cell and joint biology are combined.

The aim is to achieve regeneration of damaged and degenerated tissues by employing targeting strategies tailored to both the pathology and the tissues involved. Regeneration of diseased tissues will be achieved by loading biologically active agents in state-of-the-art nanocarriers. The biologically active agents will stimulate the body’s intrinsic capacity to regenerate by attracting local stem cells or inhibit degeneration.

The consortium
The consortium consists of partners from both academia and industry with excellent scientific qualifications in multiple disciplines:
• Erasmus MC University Medical Center Rotterdam, the Netherlands – prof. Gerjo van Osch
• University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands – Dr. Laura Creemers
• Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel – Prof. Marcelle Machluf
• Imperial College London, United Kingdom – Prof. Molly Stevens
• University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom – Prof. Cosimo de Bari
• University of Aarhus, Denmark – Prof. Kenneth Howard
• University of Maastricht, the Netherlands – Prof. Ron Heeren
• Percuros, Leiden, the Netherlands – Dr. Alan Chan
• Cardiff University, United Kingdom – Prof. Bruce Caterson
• AO Research Institute Davos, Switzerland – Prof. Mauro Alini
• ProCore, Nes Ziona, Israel – Dr. Avner Yayon

Profile
We are seeking a highly motivated team player with excellent written and oral communication skills and preferably a Master in Biochemistry, Chemistry or comparable areas. Experience in mass spectrometry is also desirable. The candidate should have a clear interest in the application of mass spectrometry methods to answer biological questions and have affinity with multidisciplinary research.

Further details:
http://www.universitypositions.eu