MSCA DN- INNOVARTBRAIN: PHD position in advancing targeted alpha therapy (TAT) for Glioblastoma (GBM)

Université d'Angers; France; Sur place; EUR 67 000 - 70 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Secondments abroad

MSCA-DN programme salary

Résumé du poste

Université d'Angers invites applications for a 36-month PhD position under the MSCA Doctoral Network INNOVARTBRAIN, Team 5 GLIAD. The successful candidate will study alpha-therapy approaches for glioblastoma, using preclinical models and advanced molecular analyses.

The project involves international secondments (INEM Paris, MUW Vienna) and cross-disciplinary training across cancer biology, radiopharmacy, and imaging in a vibrant European research network.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in neuroscience, neuro-oncology, cancer biology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, radiopharmacy, or related field.

Responsabilités

• Investigate targeted alpha therapy as locoregional treatment for glioblastoma.
• Perform preclinical experiments, imaging, histology and molecular analyses.
• Collaborate with international partner sites and manage data interpretation.

Connaissances

Neuroscience

Neuro-oncology

Cancer biology

Molecular biology

Bioinformatics

Formation

Master's degree or equivalent

Outils

Radiopharmacy

In vivo imaging

Single-cell analysis

Description du poste

Organisation/Company Université d'Angers Department CRCI2NA - team GLIAD Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 31 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Paris) Country France Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

• About INNOVARTBRAIN project

Coordinated by the University of Santiago de Compostela, INNOVARTBRAIN is a multidisciplinary Doctoral Network dedicated to advancing innovative radiotherapy (RT) approaches for brain tumours. The network adopts a holistic strategy to address the major challenges associated with brain tumours, including radioresistance, tumour infiltration and immunosuppression. By bringing together leading expertise from academic, clinical and industrial partners, INNOVARTBRAIN establishes a strong collaborative network to advance both the fundamental understanding and translational potential of innovative radiotherapy approaches, while developing enabling technologies for the field. The network will further strengthen these research activities while training a new generation of creative, innovative and entrepreneurial researchers.

The INNOVARTBRAIN network will recruit 14 PhD candidates across the consortium.

• About Team 5 of the CRCI2NA research unit

The doctoral candidate will join Team 5 - GLIAD (Design and Application of Innovative Locoregional Treatments in Glioblastoma), based in Angers within the Nantes-Angers Center for Research in Cancer and Integrated Immunology (CRCI2NA), Inserm U1307 / CNRS 6075.

GLIAD is one of the 12 research teams of CRCI2NA, a multidisciplinary cancer research center that approaches cancer as a complex ecosystem through the complementary perspectives of "seeing, understanding and treating." Within this framework, GLIAD focuses on glioblastoma and develops innovative locoregional therapeutic strategies targeting tumor biology, the tumour microenvironment and treatment resistance, with the ultimate goal of anticipating recurrence and improving patient outcomes.

• Presentation of the PhD project

Within this project, the University of Angers is recruiting one doctoral student for 36 months under the supervision of Dr Emmanuel Garcion, director of CRCI2NA Team 5. The successful candidate will pursue a PhD at the University of Angers, France.

The doctoral candidate will investigate targeted alpha therapy as an innovative locoregional treatment strategy for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat brain tumours, characterised by limited therapeutic options and a high risk of recurrence despite surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Using a preclinical glioblastoma model, the project will assess how the molecular target, delivery vector and radionuclide collectively influence therapeutic efficacy. Beyond evaluating anti-tumour effects, the doctoral candidate will investigate how targeted alpha therapy damages tumour tissue and reshapes the local and systemic immune response. By combining imaging, histology and single-cell transcriptomics, in collaboration with the partner institutions INEM and MUW, the project aims to provide an integrated understanding of the mechanisms underlying targeted alpha therapy and to identify key determinants of its efficacy, thereby supporting its future translation towards clinical application.

Planned secondments: The doctoral candidate will undertake international secondments within the INNOVARTBRAIN network, including:

- INEM:Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INSERM U1151). Paris, France

- MUW: Medical University of Vienna. Austria.

These secondments will provide exposure to complementary academic and clinical research environments, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and providing opportunities to develop additional scientific, technical and transferable skills.

Requirements

Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher with a Master’s degree in neuroscience, neuro-oncology, cancer biology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, radiopharmacy, or a related field. A strong interest in glioblastoma biology, radionuclide-based therapies and translational cancer research is expected.

Experience in preclinical models of brain tumours, neuro-oncology, molecular and cellular biology, immunology will be considered an advantage. Familiarity with radiopharmaceuticals, targeted radionuclide therapy, monoclonal antibodies or tumour-microenvironment interactions would be particularly valuable. The candidate will be expected to develop expertise in the multidisciplinary approaches required by the project, including in vivo experimentation, imaging, histology, molecular and cellular analyses, and interpretation of high-dimensional biological data. An interest in bioinformatics and data science, including transcriptomic data analysis, will be an advantage.

The successful candidate should demonstrate scientific curiosity, motivation for interdisciplinary research, good organisational and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in an international and multidisciplinary environment. Excellent oral and written English is required, together with a strong interest in developing both scientific and transferable skills within the MSCA Doctoral Network.

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Biological sciences » Biology

Additional Information

A salary in line with the guidelines of the MSCA-DN Programme including the monthly Living allowance based on France rate (4735,81 EUR), the monthly Mobility allowance (710 EUR) and, if applicable, the monthly Family allowance (660,00 EUR) and the monthly Special needs allowance (the exact amount may vary depending on specific circumstances). These are gross amounts including compulsory deductions under national law, such as employer and employee social security contributions and direct taxes or the fixed-amount fellowship. The Researcher will be paid the amounts indicated minus the compulsory deductions under national legislation.

Eligibility criteria

In accordance with the MSCA mobility rule, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g. work or studies) in France for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment, which is expected to take place in January or February 2027. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered. An applicant must have completed a relevant Master’s degree before the starting date of employment.

Selection process

Assessment procedure :

A committee, including the PhD supervisor, will pre-select candidates based on the information provided in the application. The applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Educational record;

Scientific quality of the applicant’s CV;

Expected individual impact and benefits to both the fellow and the project;

Previous experience related to the subject of the PhD research program

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for online interviews and the candidates will be notified of the outcome.

Additional comments

Labeled HRS4R and i n line with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researcher s, our recruitment process will be transparent, open, equal, internationally recognized and aligns with the principles of transparency, fairness, and inclusivity