MSCA-DN PhD in oligodendrocyte-targeted gene therapy for PMLD1 (Nicosia, Cyprus)

SIGRA; Amsterdam; On-site; EUR 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Job summary

Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING) in Nicosia, Cyprus, offers a PhD position within the POLARIS doctoral network focused on leukodystrophies. You will work on isogenic iPSC-derived myelinating organoids and test AAV variants in collaboration with the POLARIS consortium.

The role combines in vitro disease modelling with in vivo validation using mouse models, including behavioural phenotyping and ethical compliance, under expert supervision.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Life Sciences, preferably in Neuroscience.
• Strong interest in translational neuroscience and rare disease research.
• Hands-on experience with in vivo mouse research is desired.

Responsibilities

• Establish isogenic iPSC-derived myelinating organoids as a disease model.
• Test AAV variants and assess effects on myelination and oligodendrocyte survival.
• Use mouse models to evaluate therapeutic potential in vivo.
• Apply behavioural and neurological phenotyping to assess mechanisms and treatment responses.
• Collaborate with researchers at CING and POLARIS consortium.

Skills

In vivo mouse work

Behavioral phenotyping

Neurobiology knowledge

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Life Sciences

Tools

None

Job description

Would you like to contribute to the development of gene therapies for rare neurological diseases? Join POLARIS and develop innovative human cell and animal models to investigate gene therapy for Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease.

POLARIS doctoral network

POLARIS is a European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network focused on accelerating therapy development for leukodystrophies: rare genetic disorders affecting the brain's white matter. The network aims to strengthen the full translational pathway, from understanding disease mechanisms and developing disease models to preclinical therapy testing, clinical readiness and patient-informed treatment priorities.

To achieve this, POLARIS brings together expertise in leukodystrophy biology, advanced disease models, therapeutic innovation, biomarker development, clinical translation, patient engagement, and ethical, regulatory and health-economic aspects of therapy development. The network will train a cohort of doctoral candidates in an international and interdisciplinary environment, combining academic research, industry-based preclinical development, secondments, network-wide training and transferable-skills development.

For this position, the recruiting organisation is the Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING) in Nicosia, Cyprus. CING will employ you and you will be embedded in the POLARIS consortium. Academic supervision and disease-specific expertise will be provided by Prof Kleopa Kleopa and Dr Irene Sargiannidou from the Neuroscience Department.

PhD project

This doctoral project focuses on establishing isogenic iPSC-derived myelinating organoids as a physiologically relevant human in vitro model of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher-like disease type 1 (PMLD1).

You will first test leading AAV capsids developed by Myrtelle Therapeutics Inc. in the in vitro model. You will assess their effects on myelination and oligodendrocyte survival. The most promising oligodendrocyte-targeting AAV variants will subsequently be tested in a PMLD1 mouse model to determine their therapeutic potential in vivo.

The project requires a strong foundation in neuroscience and an interest in both stem cell-based and animal research. Prior experience with cell culture techniques, behavioural and neurological phenotyping, and handling mice is an advantage.

Planned secondments will provide specialised training in establishing isogenic iPSC-derived myelinating organoids under the supervision of Dr Hendrick Rosewich in Tübingen, Germany. You will also have the opportunity to develop experience in patient advocacy, networking and research planning through a placement at the European Leukodystrophy Association (ELA).

The position is based in Nicosia, Cyprus, with academic enrolment through the Graduate School of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics. You will pursue a PhD degree in Neuroscience.

You will contribute to the development and evaluation of gene therapy approaches for PMLD1. Your work includes:

• establishing and using isogenic iPSC-derived myelinating organoids as a human in vitro disease model;
• testing AAV variants and assessing their effects on myelination and oligodendrocyte survival;
• using a PMLD1 mouse model to evaluate the therapeutic potential of selected AAV variants in vivo;
• applying behavioural and neurological phenotyping and other experimental approaches to assess disease mechanisms and treatment responses;
• analysing and interpreting experimental results and collaborating with researchers at CING and across the POLARIS consortium.

You will also participate in the POLARIS network-wide training programme and planned secondments. This gives you the opportunity to develop scientific and transferable skills in an international research environment.

We are looking for a candidate with a Master's degree in Life Sciences, preferably in Neuroscience, and a strong interest in translational neuroscience and rare disease research.

Relevant experience may have been gained during an internship, thesis project or other research project. We are looking for:

• hands-on experience with in vivo mouse research;
• experience with behavioural or neurological phenotyping is an advantage;
• knowledge of animal welfare regulations and ethical principles, and an understanding of rigorous experimental design;
• a careful and reproducible approach, with strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• good written and verbal communication skills and the ability to collaborate in an interdisciplinary and international research environment.

Formal certification for working with laboratory animals is highly desirable.

Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential.

Eligibility criteria

Strict eligibility criteria under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network programme apply:

1. At the time of recruitment, you must not already hold a doctoral degree.
2. The MSCA mobility rule applies. Because CING is the recruiting organisation for this position, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity, such as work or study, in Cyprus for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.
3. You must be able and willing to work in an international training network, participate in network-wide training activities and undertake planned secondments with POLARIS partner organisations.

• A full-time, 3-year employment contract with CING;
• Salary, mobility allowance and benefits according to the applicable MSCA Doctoral Network and host-organisation rules. More detailed information about the salary will follow;
• Embedding in the international POLARIS doctoral training network;
• Access to network-wide training activities, secondments and transferable-skills development;
• A challenging and translational research project at the interface of in vivo neuroscience, rare disease biology and preclinical therapy development;
• A collaborative and entrepreneurial working environment;
• An open and supportive team culture with opportunities for scientific and professional development.

The Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING) was established in 1990 and is a private, bi-communal, non-profit Centre of Excellence based in Nicosia, Cyprus. CING combines its three pillars — specialised healthcare services, research and education — to advance knowledge in neurology, genetics, biomedical and clinical sciences, with the ultimate goal of improving patients' quality of life.

As part of its education pillar, CING offers accredited postgraduate programmes leading to Master's and doctoral degrees in areas aligned with the Institute's scientific and clinical expertise. CING is committed to scientific excellence, innovation, Open Science and research integrity, while fostering an inclusive and supportive research environment.

You will work in the Neuroscience Department, which focuses on the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying neurological disorders, including inherited neuropathies such as Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (CMT), multiple sclerosis and leukodystrophies. Through the development of innovative experimental models, the department has advanced the understanding of disease mechanisms in demyelinating disorders.

A major area of research focuses on glial cell biology, with particular emphasis on the role of gap junctions in the peripheral and central nervous systems. The department also develops novel gene therapy strategies aimed at replacing defective connexin genes, with the goal of treating demyelinating diseases affecting the peripheral and central nervous systems.

Within POLARIS, the Neuroscience Department provides the academic environment, disease-specific expertise and scientific supervision required for the development and advancement of gene therapy approaches for leukodystrophies.

You will also be part of the international POLARIS doctoral network. You will work with researchers from different scientific disciplines and collaborate with academic and industry partners across Europe. Through secondments, network-wide training and transferable-skills development, you will build experience beyond your own research project and develop an international research network.

POLARIS is committed to open, transparent and merit-based recruitment. We value diversity and welcome candidates with different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.

The application deadline is 5 October 2026. We aim to select a final candidate in October/November 2026.

Applicants may, where appropriate and in line with the recruitment procedure, also be considered for other POLARIS doctoral candidate positions that better match their profile and interests. You can highlight up to two additional POLARIS projects of interest in your application letter. This does not replace your application to the primary position, but helps the consortium identify potential alternative matches where relevant.

For substantive information about this PhD position, please contact Prof Kleopas Kleopa, via [e-mail].

Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be considered.