available positions

Short description of the available PhD positions in INTRABRAIN.


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 2


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 3


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 4


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 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 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 6


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 7


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 8


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 9


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 10


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 11


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 12


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 


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

doctoral researcher 14

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