available positions
Short description of the available PhD positions in INTRABRAIN.
All applications must be sent following the links below. Do not send formal applications to supervisors emails unless otherwise stated.
doctoral researcher 1
Host institution: University of Helsinki
PhD awarding institution: University of Helsinki
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Cerullo; Dr. Laura Mezzanotte Vincenzo.Cerullo@helsinki.fi, Laura.mezzanotte@helsinki.fi
Short description of the work: Generation and tracking of armed rADV with imaging reporter genes for glioblastoma.
Planned secondments: University of Naples Federico II; University of Glasgow; University of Rome Tor Vergata
doctoral researcher 2
Host institution: University of Helsinki
PhD awarding institution: University of Helsinki
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Cerullo Vincenzo.Cerullo@helsinki.fi
Short description of the work: Generation and optimization of armed oncolytic viruses (e.g. rADV-IL-12 variants) for treatment of GBM.
Planned secondments: CIC biomaGUNE; Image Guided Therapy SA; University of Rome Tor Vergata
doctoral researcher 3
Host institution: CIC biomaGUNE
PhD awarding institution: University of the Basque Country
Lead supervisor(s): Dr. Sergio Moya smoya@cicbiomagune.es
Short description of the work: Development of biomaterial-based platforms for virus encapsulation using liposomes and chitosan complexes, improving stability, transfection efficiency, biodistribution, and therapeutic delivery.
Planned secondments: University of Helsinki; University of Rome Tor Vergata; University of Glasgow
doctoral researcher 4
Host institution: Gabriele d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara
PhD awarding institution: Gabriele d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Piera Di Martino piera.dimartino@unich.it
Short description of the work: Development of nanoparticle formulations for virus protection and enhanced transfection, with a focus on improving antitumour efficacy in glioblastoma models.
Planned secondments: University of Naples Federico II; CIC biomaGUNE; University of Rome Tor Vergata
The call for this PhD position will be open in July 2027. More information coming.
doctoral researcher 5
Host institution: University of Glasgow
PhD awarding institution: University of Glasgow
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Hadi Heidari hadi.heidari@glasgow.ac.uk
Short description of the work: Development of redox-sensitive hydrogels for controlled oncolytic viral delivery and immunotherapy applications in glioblastoma.
Planned secondments: University of Helsinki; University of Naples Federico II; University of Rome Tor Vergata
doctoral researcher 6
Host institution: University of Glasgow
PhD awarding institution: University of Glasgow
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Hadi Heidari hadi.heidari@glasgow.ac.uk
Short description of the work: Development of implantable microfluidic devices for controlled and repeated delivery of oncolytic viruses, compared with non-invasive administration strategies.
Planned secondments: University of Naples Federico II; Gabriele d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara; CIC biomaGUNE
doctoral researcher 7
Host institution: University of Naples Federico II
PhD awarding institution: University of Naples Federico II
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Gerolama Condorelli; Dr. Danilo Fiore gecondor@unina.it, danilo.fiore@unina.it
Short description of the work: Investigation of immune responses in tumour models following oncolytic virus treatment, focusing on macrophage polarisation and tumour microenvironment modulation.
Planned secondments: CIC biomaGUNE; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Technion Research and Development Foundation
doctoral researcher 8
Host institution: University of Helsinki
PhD awarding institution: University of Helsinki
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Vincenzo Cerullo Vincenzo.Cerullo@helsinki.fi
Short description of the work: Assessing the Immunogenic Cell Death Response Induced by Oncolytic Virus Nanoplatforms.
Planned secondments: University of Naples Federico II; University of Glasgow; University of Rome Tor Vergata
doctoral researcher 9
Host institution: University of Naples Federico II
PhD awarding institution: University of Naples Federico II
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Gerolama Condorelli; Dr. Danilo Fiore gecondor@unina.it, danilo.fiore@unina.it
Short description of the work: Evaluation of therapeutic efficacy and safety of nano-encapsulated oncolytic viruses, including immune cell interactions and tumour response mechanisms.
Planned secondments: CIC biomaGUNE; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Technion Research and Development Foundation
doctoral researcher 10
Host institution: University of Rome Tor Vergata
PhD awarding institution: University of Rome Tor Vergata
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Nicola Toschi; Dr. Allegra Conti nicola.toschi@uniroma2.eu, Allegra.conti@uniroma2.it
Short description of the work: Development of imaging-based strategies to assess and optimise delivery and therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic viruses, including advanced MRI and ultrasound techniques.
Planned secondments: University of Helsinki; Technion Research and Development Foundation; Image Guided Therapy SA
doctoral researcher 11
Host institution: University of Exeter
PhD awarding institution: University of Exeter
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Rupam Das R.K.Das@exeter.ac.uk
Short description of the work: Development of wireless implantable systems combining neurostimulation and oncolytic therapy for advanced glioblastoma treatment.
Planned secondments: University of Glasgow; University of Rome Tor Vergata; Technion Research and Development Foundation
doctoral researcher 12
Host institution: Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg
PhD awarding institution: Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg
Lead supervisor(s): Dr. Danijela Gregurec danijela.gregurec@fau.de
Short description of the work: Development of nanoparticle systems incorporating targeting peptides to enhance blood-brain barrier penetration and tumour specificity.
Planned secondments: CIC biomaGUNE; University of Naples Federico II; University of Glasgow
doctoral researcher 13
Host institution: Technion Research and Development Foundation
PhD awarding institution: Technion – Israel Institute of Technology
Lead supervisor(s): Dr. Shai Berlin shai.berlin@technion.ac.il
Short description of the work: Investigation of tumour microenvironment modulation using advanced viral and imaging technologies, including blood-brain barrier crossing strategies.
Planned secondments: University of Helsinki; University of Exeter; University of Rome Tor Vergata
doctoral researcher 14
Host institution: University of Rome Tor Vergata
PhD awarding institution: University of Rome Tor Vergata
Lead supervisor(s): Prof. Dr. Nicola Toschi; Dr. Allegra Conti nicola.toschi@uniroma2.eu, Allegra.conti@uniroma2.it
Short description of the work: Development of artificial intelligence-driven multimodal imaging frameworks for integrated analysis of tumour biology and therapeutic response.
Planned secondments: University of Naples Federico II; Technion Research and Development Foundation; University of Helsinki