Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Université de Lille
- Research Field: Physics » Chemical physics; Physics » Condensed matter properties; Physics » Computational physics; Physics » Applied physics; Chemistry » Physical chemistry; Chemistry » Analytical chemistry; Chemistry » Biochemistry; Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry; Engineering » Materials engineering; Engineering » Chemical engineering; Engineering » Biomedical engineering; Pharmacological sciences » Pharmacy; Technology » Biotechnology; Technology » Pharmaceutical technology; Technology » Materials technology; Technology » Industrial technology; Technology » Chemical technology; Technology » Nanotechnology
- Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
- Positions: PhD Positions
- Application Deadline: 31 Oct 2027 - 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
- Reference Number: MSCA-DN IDEAS
- Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number: [contact details available in the full listing]
- Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
15 fully funded PhD positions are available across Europe within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network IDEAS (Improving Drug Efficacy with next-generation Amorphous materials and trained expertS).
About the IDEAS Doctoral Network
The IDEAS project is a European research and training network funded through the Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks programme and coordinated by the University of Lille (France).
Approximately 70–90% of new chemical entities and drug molecules under development suffer from poor aqueous solubility, representing a major challenge for pharmaceutical development. Since the early 2000s, amorphous formulations have emerged as one of the most promising strategies to improve drug solubility and bioavailability. Yet, their intrinsic physical instability continues to limit their widespread industrial application.
IDEAS aims to change this!
By bringing together leading expertise in materials science, physics, chemistry, pharmacy and pharmaceutical technology, IDEAS will develop a more rational and science-based understanding of the amorphous state and move beyond the largely empirical approaches currently used in pharmaceutical development.
The network brings together a strong European consortium of 10 beneficiaries (7 universities, 2 large companies and 1 SME) together with 6 associated partners, including academic and industrial organisations across 10 European countries.
At the heart of IDEAS is the training of 15 Doctoral Candidates, who will work collaboratively on key scientific and technological challenges related to amorphous pharmaceutical systems.
Their research will contribute to:
- developing more sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing technologies for amorphous materials;
- achieving science-based control of their structural, dynamic and physical properties;
- understanding and improving the physical stability of amorphous formulations;
- exploring a broad range of pharmaceutical materials and formulation strategies;
- enabling the efficient production of high-quality amorphous drug products.
Beyond their individual research projects, the Doctoral Candidates will benefit from a comprehensive interdisciplinary and intersectoral training programme, including workshops, specialised courses, summer schools, network meetings and secondments between academic and industrial partners.
Through this combination of cutting-edge research, international mobility, interdisciplinary science and close interaction with industry, IDEAS will train a new generation of scientists capable of addressing major challenges in pharmaceutical materials science and strengthening Europe’s academic and biotech/pharmaceutical innovation capacity.
15 Doctoral Candidate positions will be offered within the IDEAS network.
DC 1 - Bridging order and disorder: structural and dynamical insights into coupled co-crystallisation and co-amorphisation strategies for enhancing drug dissolution
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: University of Pisa - UNIPI (Pisa, Italy)
Contacts: Prof. S. Capaccioli (UNIPI) and Prof. M. Geppi (UNIPI)
This doctoral project aims to unravel the fundamental structure–dynamics–dissolution relationships underlying co-crystallised and co-amorphous pharmaceutical systems. By integrating advanced solid-state characterisation and spectroscopy techniques, the project will establish a unified mechanistic frame-work explaining how structural organisation and molecular mobility influence dissolution enhancement. The ultimate goal is to enable the rational design of hybrid solid forms (e.g., semi-ordered amorphous/co-crystals) with tuneable solubility and physical stability.
DC 2 - Design and phase diagram of eutectic and amorphous binary mixtures of APIs and excipients for enhanced dissolution and stability
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: Polytechnic University of Catalonia - UPC (Barcelona, Spain)
Contacts: Prof. M. Romanini (UPC) and Prof. C. Cazorla (UPC)
This doctoral project aims to explore both the equilibrium and non-equilibrium phase behaviour of small-molecule binary mixtures comprising API and coformer or API–API combinations, and to elucidate their fundamental physicochemical properties. Particular emphasis will be placed on understanding eutectic phase formation and the potential of such systems to yield amorphous mixtures with improved kinetic stability and dissolution performance. Graph-based machine learning (ML) models will be employed to predict binary choices of APIs or API-excipient capable of forming eutectic mixtures with the desired compositions and melting points.
DC 3 - Influence of elevated pressure on co-amorphous pharmaceuticals
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: University of Silesia in Katowice - USK (Katowice, Poland)
Contact: Prof. M. Paluch (USK)
This doctoral project aims to elucidate the impact of elevated pressure on the structural, dynamical, and thermodynamic properties of co-amorphous pharmaceutical systems. Understanding the effects of pressure is of critical importance, as numerous industrial pharmaceutical processes such as tableting, encapsulation, hot-melt extrusion, and high-pressure homogenization expose materials to mechanical stresses. These stresses can either trigger crystallisation or enhance amorphous stability, yet the role of pressure in modulating amorphous–crystalline transitions remain insufficiently understood. By integrating advanced high-pressure experimental techniques with data-driven algorithms, this project seeks to unravel the mechanisms through which pressure influences the stability and phase transformations of co-amorphous systems.
DC 4 - Co-amorphous engineering: understanding and controlling the properties of co-amorphous systems prepared by diverse manufacturing routes
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: Université Catholique de Louvain - UCLouvain (Belgium)
Contact: Prof. T. Leyssens (UCLouvain)
This doctoral project aims to advance the new field of “co-amorphous engineering” investigating how various manufacturing techniques, including spray-drying, freeze-drying, hot-melt extrusion, high-energy milling, and melt-quenching, impact the structure, molecular dynamics, physical stability, solubility, and dissolution behaviour of low-molecular-weight co-amorphous systems. Through an integrated experimental strategy, the project will establish robust process–structure–property relationships to guide the rational design of physically stable, high-performance co-amorphous formulations.
DC 5 - Molecular-level mapping of intermolecular interactions governing the formation and stability of pharmaceutical co-crystals and co-amorphous systems
Host Institution: Janssen Pharmaceutical (Beerse, Belgium)
PhD enrolment Duration: University of Lille - ULille (France)
Contacts: Dr. F. Ngono Mebenga (Janssen Pharmaceutica), Prof. N. Correia (ULille), Prof. F. Affouard (ULille)
The main objective of this doctoral project is to achieve a precise molecular-level characterisation of the intermolecular interactions governing the formation and stability of pharmaceutical co-crystals and co-amorphous systems. This project will deliver a precise, molecular-scale understanding of how specific intermolecular interactions (hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking) drive nucleation (in solvent environment), structure, stability and improved biorelevant dissolution in both pharmaceutical co-crystals and co-amorphous systems. By integrating advanced spectroscopy, diffraction, calorimetry, solid-state NMR, and molecular modelling (MD simulation, DFT computation) with targeted case studies, we will build quantitative structure–interaction–property relationships.
DC 6 - Modelling and molecular understanding of drug–polymer interactions in amorphous solid dispersions (ASD)
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: University of Lille - ULille (France)
Contacts: Prof. F. Affouard (ULille), Prof. E. Dudognon (ULille)
This doctoral project aims to provide fundamental molecular-level insights into API–polymer interactions that dictate the formation and stabilization of ASDs. By integrating multi-scale computational modelling, data-driven machine learning approaches, and complementary experimental validations, the DC will develop a predictive framework linking molecular structure to macroscopic performance of amorphous formulations thereby enabling the rational design of next-generation ASD formulations.
DC 7 - Next-generation polymers with controlled microstructure and topology for enhanced stability and release
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: University of Silesia in Katowice - USK (Katowice, Poland)
Contacts: Prof. K. Kamiński (USK) and Prof. M. Tarnacka (USK)
This doctoral project aims to design, synthesise, and characterise next-generation biocompatible polymers and copolymers with precisely tailored microstructure, chain topology, and amphiphilicity to achieve controlled stabilization and dissolution of selected APIs. By integrating advanced polymer synthesis, comprehensive physicochemical characterisation, and collaborative computational modelling, the project will uncover the structure–property relationships that govern polymer-mediated stabilization and release in amorphous solid dispersions (ASD).
DC 8 - Chiral control of stability and release in ASDs
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: Université Catholique de Louvain - UCLouvain (Belgium)
Contact: Prof. T. Leyssens (UCLouvain)
This doctoral project aims to provide a molecular-level understanding of how excipient chirality governs the physical stability and performance of ASDs, establishing new design principles for chiral excipient selection and formulation.
DC 9 - Hybrid eutectic–polymer systems for ASDs of high-melting APIs
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: Trinity College Dublin - TCD (Dublin, Ireland)
Contact: Prof. L. Tajber (TCD)
This doctoral project aims to develop hybrid eutectic–polymer systems as next-generation ASD matrices that combine the plasticization capacity of eutectics with the stabilising and mechanical properties of polymers. The research will establish fundamental design principles and mechanistic understanding of how eutectic–polymer interactions modulate amorphization, stability, and drug release in challenging APIs.
DC 10 - Extrusion process development for upscaling next-generation amorphous solid dispersions (ASD)
Host Institution: Zentiva (Czech Republic)
PhD enrolment Duration: Trinity College Dublin - TCD (Dublin, Ireland)
Contacts: Dr. P. Stasiak (Zentiva), Prof. L. Tajber (TCD)
This doctoral project, conducted by industrial partners, aims to develop and optimise extrusion-based processing routes for next-generation ASD systems developed in the network including chiral systems, eutectic–polymer hybrids, and topology-controlled polymers. By combining process development, analytical monitoring, and modelling, the project will establish process–structure–property relationships that underpin reliable large-scale production of complex amorphous formulations. The research will thus bridge the gap between materials innovation and manufacturability, enabling the industrial deployment of emerging ASD technologies.
DC 11 - Development of a predictive toolbox for the rational design of complex amorphous bioactive molecules
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: University of Lille - ULille (France)
Contacts: Prof. F. Affouard (ULille), Prof. N. Correia (ULille)
The main objective of this doctoral project is to develop a predictive toolbox for the design of amorphous formulations for complex molecules, using proteins and PROTACs as representative case studies. The specific objectives are to: identify molecular descriptors governing amorphous stability, including conformational flexibility, intermolecular interactions, hydrogen-bonding capacity, and excipient miscibility; establish molecular modelling workflows capable of predicting formulation-relevant properties such as glass transition temperature (Tg), glass-forming tendency, interaction strength, molecular mobility, and phase behaviour; understand the origin of the low absorption and how can it be improved by adding certain excipients and validate model predictions through selected experimental studies.
DC 12 - Modulating APIs release from chemically modified silica-biopolymer nanocomposites
Host Institution: NOVA University of Lisbon – UNL (Lisbon, Portugal)
PhD enrolment: NOVA University of Lisbon – UNL (Lisbon, Portugal) and University of Lille – ULille (France)
Contacts: Prof. M. Dionisio (UNL), Prof. Ines Matos (UNL) and Prof. N. Correia (ULille)
This doctoral project aims to develop chemically modified nanosilica–biopolymer composites capable of precisely tuning API release profiles. It will correlate API delivery behaviour with i) guest molecular dynamics governed by interactions with the nanoparticle silica surface and ii) the dispersion of API–silica complexes (API–RSi) within biocompatible polymer matrices. The project will uncover structure–dynamics–property–performance relationships that control release rate, stability, and bioavailability.
DC 13 - Development of hybrid nanoparticles for enhanced biopharmaceutical delivery
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: Polytechnic University of Catalonia - UPC (Barcelona, Spain)
Contact: Prof. R. Macovez (UPC) and Prof. M. Romanini (UPC)
This doctoral project aims to design, synthesise, and characterise two types of nanoparticle carriers, and the stability and release of loaded APIs: 1) hybrid mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), with tuneable pore size and large internal surface area for API loading; 2) amorphous polymer nanoparticles (APNs), either as pure amorphous solid dispersions or including an inorganic core. In one case it is the porous silica structure, in the other case the polymer matrix, that play the function of encapsulating/stabilising media to prevent the degradation of labile or sensitive biopharmaceuticals. These hybrid systems will exploit organic–inorganic or organic-polymer interactions for optimal drug loading, protection, and controlled release, providing a platform for next-generation nanoparticle-based delivery systems with enhanced efficacy and safety.
DC 14 - 4D Biopharmaceuticals with electromagnetically activated functionalities
Host Institution & PhD enrolment: University of Pisa - UNIPI (Pisa, Italy)
Contact: Prof. S. Danti (UNIPI), Prof. G. Gallone (UNIPI)
This doctoral project aims to develop polymer-based materials and hybrid structures ranging from nanoscale carriers to macroscale scaffolds with electromagnetically activated functionalities responsive to NIR irradiation. These materials will enable controlled, on-demand drug release and adaptive therapeutic performance, establishing the foundation for 4D biopharmaceutical platforms that integrate material responsiveness, biocompatibility, and precision functionality.
DC 15 - Design of polymeric drug delivery systems for biopharmaceuticals using green microfluidic manufacturing technologies
Host Institution: MyBiotech GmbH (Germany)
PhD enrolment Duration: University of Pisa (Italy)
Contacts: Dr. N. Günday-Türeli (MyBiotech) and Prof. S. Danti (UNIPI)
This doctoral project aims to develop protein-loaded polymeric nanoparticles using green and continuous microfluidic reactor technologies. These systems will enable precise control over particle size, morphology, and release behaviour while minimizing solvent waste and energy usage. The resulting delivery platforms will provide tuneable, stable, and sustainable carriers for a wide range of therapeutic biomolecules.
Where to apply
E-mail: [contact details available in the full listing]
Requirements
Research Fields and Education Levels:
- Pharmacological sciences » Pharmacy — Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Chemistry » Physical chemistry — Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Chemistry » Analytical chemistry — Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Engineering » Materials engineering — Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Engineering » Chemical engineering — Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Technology » Pharmaceutical technology — Bachelor Degree or equivalent
- Physics » Chemical physics — Master Degree or equivalent
- Physics » Condensed matter properties — Master Degree or equivalent
- Physics » Applied physics — Master Degree or equivalent
- Physics » Computational physics — Master Degree or equivalent
- Chemistry » Physical chemistry — Master Degree or equivalent
- Chemistry » Analytical chemistry — Master Degree or equivalent
- Chemistry » Biochemistry — Master Degree or equivalent
- Chemistry » Inorganic chemistry — Master Degree or equivalent
- Engineering » Materials engineering — Master Degree or equivalent
- Engineering » Chemical engineering — Master Degree or equivalent
- Engineering » Biomedical engineering — Master Degree or equivalent
- Pharmacological sciences » Pharmacy — Master Degree or equivalent
- Technology » Biotechnology — Master Degree or equivalent
- Technology » Materials technology — Master Degree or equivalent
- Technology » Industrial technology — Master Degree or equivalent
- Technology » Chemical technology — Master Degree or equivalent
- Technology » Nanotechnology — Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Applicants must hold a MSc or equivalent in the field required for the corresponding vacancy. Applicants holding only a BSc degree may also be eligible to apply for some of the positions (DC9 and DC10).
- Degree in Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Biotechnology or a related discipline. For detailed requirements, see the project description of your choice.
- Experience with experimental and/or computational methods and research.
- Interest on pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical materials
- Appreciation for interdisciplinary work and proactive drive to collaborate across disciplines.
- Proficient in the English language (B2 minimum)
- Applicants must be eligible to enrol on a PhD programme at the host institution (or at a designated university in case the host institution is a non-academic organisation).
- Applicants must have the necessary academic skills and background to make the success of a doctoral degree.
Languages: ENGLISH — Level: Excellent
Additional Information
Benefits
The doctoral positions are fully funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks programme under Horizon Europe.
In accordance with the MSCA Work Programme 2023–2025, the EU monthly contributions for each Doctoral Candidate are:
- Living Allowance: €4,010/month (subject to a country correction coefficient)
- Mobility Allowance: €710/month
- Family Allowance (if applicable): €660/month
These amounts represent EU funding contributions and should not be interpreted as the net salary received by the Doctoral Candidate. Actual remuneration and employment conditions will depend on the recruiting institution and applicable national regulations.
Eligibility criteria
- Supported researchers must be Doctoral Candidates (DCs), meaning that they must not already hold a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
- Recruited researchers may be of any nationality and must comply with the MSCA mobility rule. At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting participant for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
- Secondment Readiness: Candidates must be fully willing and able to relocate internationally for secondments (research stays) at other academic or industrial partner institutions within the network.
Selection process
The selection procedure will be open, transparent, merit-based and aligned with the European Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and the applicable MSCA Doctoral Network requirements.
To apply, please send an email to [contact details available in the full listing] with all the required documents. Please title the email: “IDEAS application [YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]”.
Required application materials:
- Application form
- Research Expose
- Curriculum vitae
- Academic transcript of records (translated into English if necessary)
- Final degree certificate (translated into English if necessary)
- Valid ID & proof of eligibility
- Proof of English language proficiency (only if available)
Submit all documents in the PDF format with the following naming convention:
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Application form.pdf
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Attachment 1 – Research Expose.pdf
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Attachment 2 – CV.pdf
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Attachment 3 – Academic record.pdf
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Attachment 4 – ID and mobility.pdf
[YOUR LAST NAME, YOUR FIRST NAME]_Attachment 5 – English.pdf (if available)
Recruitment calendar (DC, Call opening, Deadline for applications, Start date of the DC project)
- 1 — 23 October 2026 — 30 November 2026 — February-Spring 2027
- 2 — 23 October 2026 — 30 November 2026 — 1 February 2027
- 3 — 23 October 2026 — 31 January 2027 — 1 April 2027
- 4 — 1 February 2027 — 31 May 2027 — 1 July 2027
- 5 — 23 October 2026 — 30 November 2026 — 1 February 2027
- 6 — 1 February 2027 — 31 May 2027 — 1 September 2027
- 7 — 23 October 2026 — 30 November 2026 — 1 January 2027
- 8 — 1 February 2027 — 31 May 2027 — 1 July 2027
- 9 — 23 October 2026 — 30 November 2026 — 1 March 2027
- 10 — 1 March 2027 — 1 May 2027 — 1 September 2027
- 11 — 23 October 2026 — 30 November 2026 — 1 February 2027
- 12 — 23 October 2026 — 30 November 2026 — 1 February 2027
- 13 — 23 October 2026 — 30 January 2027 — 1 March 2027
- 14 — 23 October 2026 — 30 November 2026 — February-Spring 2027
- 15 — 23 October 2026 — 30 November 2026 — April 1st 2027
Website for additional job details: https://ideas-msca.eu/
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 2 — Company/Institute: University of Lille — Country: France — State/Province: Nord — City: Villeneuve d'Ascq — Postal Code: 59655 — Street: Cité scientifique
- Number of offers available: 2 — Company/Institute: University of Pisa — Country: Italy — City: Pisa — Street: Lungarno Antonio Pacinotti, 43
- Number of offers available: 2 — Company/Institute: University of Silesia in Katowice — Country: Poland — City: Katowice — Postal Code: Bankowa 12
- Number of offers available: 2 — Company/Institute: Université Catholique de Louvain — Country: Belgium — City: Louvain la Neuve — Postal Code: Place de l'Université 1
- Number of offers available: 1 — Company/Institute: Janssen Pharmaceutica (Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine) — Country: Belgium — City: Beerse — Street: Turnhoutseweg 30
- Number of offers available: 1 — Company/Institute: Trinity College Dublin — Country: Ireland — City: Dublin — Postal Code: College Green
- Number of offers available: 1 — Company/Institute: Zentiva — Country: Czech Republic — City: Prague — Street: U kabelovny 529/16
- Number of offers available: 1 — Company/Institute: NOVA University of Lisbon — Country: Portugal — City: Lisbon — Street: Campolide
- Number of offers available: 2 — Company/Institute: Polytechnic University of Catalonia — Country: Spain — City: Barcelona — Postal Code: Carrer de Jordi Girona, Les Corts
- Number of offers available: 1 — Company/Institute: MyBiotech GmbH — Country: Germany — City: Überherrn-Altforweiler — Street: Industriestraße 1b
Contact
Website: https://ideas-msca.eu/
E-Mail: [contact details available in the full listing]
