Job Information
Organisation/Company: enGenes Biotech GmbH
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineering
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Positions: PhD Positions
Application Deadline: 1 Oct 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Vienna)
Country: Austria
Type of Contract: Temporary
Job Status: Full-time
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Horizon Europe - MSCA
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number: 101226412
Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No
Offer Description
2.1 General network description (context paragraph)
CanGoNano is a European Training Network funded in the framework of HORIZON Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN), focusing on glyconanomaterials (GNM) as precision tools to unveil key insights on the triggering of the antigen-presenting cells (APC) against cancer using antigenic peptides and mRNAs encoding for these peptides. Within CanGoNano, Doctoral Candidates (DCs) will be equipped with a thorough, multifaceted knowledge of the potential of glycoscience in cancer immunotherapy and the necessary transferable skills. CanGoNano will provide an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary educational programme, according to the EU Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training. This will put DCs in an advantageous position for job opportunities in both academia and industry.
2.2 Recruiting entity paragraph
Within the CanGoNano network, enGenes Biotech GmbH is recruiting 1 Doctoral Candidate (DC) to carry out research on the development of a site-specific recombinant lectins toolbox and plasmids for their expression at living cell surfaces. The position will be supervised by Jürgen Mairhofer at enGenes Biotech GmbH, in cooperation with the doctoral enrolment institution Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU), and will offer the candidate the opportunity to work at the forefront of protein engineering and bioprocess development for glyco-immunology applications, while benefiting from tailored training and international secondments across the consortium.
2.3 Doctoral Candidate DC10 project block
Doctoral Candidate DC10:
Project Title: Development of site-specific recombinant lectins toolbox and plasmids for their expression at living cells surface
Project:
This PhD project will focus on: 1) Expression of the lectins DC-SIGN, Mannose Receptor (MR) and Dectin-1 using enGenes’ growth-decoupled recombinant protein production system; 2) Identification, via Multiple Alignment software (MEGA), of suitable amino acid positions for incorporation of a non-canonical, azide-tagged lysine residue (AzK) away from the carbohydrate-binding site of the lectins; 3) Generation of expression constructs and production of the AzK-lectins from small scale up to 1 L bioreactor scale; 4) Purification and characterization (including microscopy) of the AzK-functionalized recombinant lectins; 5) Production and purification of recombinant plasmids, and transient transfection of myeloid cells (THP-1) to express the engineered lectins at the cell surface; 6) Training in molecular biology, biotechnology, fed-batch bioreactor operation, analytical methods and advanced microscopy for the study of carbohydrate-binding activity of lectins.
Host Institution: enGenes Biotech GmbH, Vienna, Austria. https://engenes.cc
Duration: 36 months, starting January 1st
Supervisor: Dr. Jürgen Mairhofer (enGenes Biotech GmbH, AT)
Co-supervisor(s): Univ.Prof. Dr. Gerald Striedner (BOKU, Department of Biotechnology, AT).
PLANNED SECONDMENTS.
- 1) Università degli Studi di Firenze – UNIFI (Academia, IT), M. Marradi, (Year II, 2 months) – training on cryo-EM to visualise the 3D structures of GNM–lectin architectures using recombinant lectins.
- 2) Universidade Nova de Lisboa – UNL (Academia, PT), P. Videira, (Year III, 3 months) – training on the transfection of THP-1 myeloid cells with the engineered lectin plasmids and on cell activation studies.
PhD School enrolment: Doctoral programme at Universität für Bodenkultur Wien (BOKU), Department of Biotechnology, Vienna, Austria.
Where to apply
Website: https://cangonano.eu/
Requirements
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineering
Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
- Master's Degree (M.Sc.) in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Bioengineering, Biochemistry or a strictly related field
- Practical experience in molecular biology and/or recombinant protein expression and purification techniques
- Experience with bioreactor/fermentation work is an advantage
- Good level of English proficiency
- Team spirit and pro-active attitude
Specific Requirements
The selected candidate must meet the following requirements:
- Commit full-time to the research activity, unless authorisation is granted by the European Commission for personal or family reasons.
- Carry out exclusively the research activities related to the specified research programme, and refrain from undertaking any teaching activities at the university.
- Refrain from receiving any additional income beyond what is specified in the call.
- Agree to sign all necessary agreements concerning intellectual property rights.
- Maintain confidentiality in accordance with the regulations of the European Project.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineeringBiological sciences » Biology
Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4
Internal Application form(s) needed
ANNEX A CanGoNano_General-call-for-applications_Annex-A-2026 website.pdf
English
(892.61 KB - PDF)
Additional Information
Benefits
Each recruited Doctoral Candidate will be offered a temporary gross research fellowship. The salary of the doctoral candidates (DCs) will be paid in accordance with the MSCA rules. Please, refer to the section “Applicable Unit Contributions” (page 118 and following) of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025 for MSCA-DN actions, available at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/… 2023-2024/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf Please, refer to the above-mentioned link and the MSCA-DN dedicated webpage (https://mariesklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks).
Eligibility criteria
The position is open to candidates of any nationality, provided they strictly fulfil the eligibility requirements established for the enrollment through the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action-Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN). Equal opportunities policy without distinction on the grounds of gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation will be applied. Please, refer to the section “Recruited Researchers” (page 122 and following) of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025 for MSCA-DN actions, available at the following link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/… 2023-2024/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf In particular, at the time of recruitment, applicants must comply with the following eligibility criteria:
- Experience: Applicants must not be already in possession of a doctoral degree. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis, but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree, will not be considered eligible. Applicants must possess a five-years university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent).
- Mobility rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country where the research training activities will take place for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment date.
Selection process
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The applicant must apply through the project web-site: www.cangonano.eu . Any other form of application will not be considered. The applicant must apply through the project website: www.cangonano.eu . Any other form of application will not be considered. All applications will be checked for eligibility. Incomplete applications will be ignored. Applications will be in English. Applicants must complete/upload the data/documents and information through the project website www.cangonano.eu by following an 8-step application procedure.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA / EVALUATION CRITERIA
Supervisors will pre-select candidates for each position, based on the information included in the application procedure that will be evaluated against the following criteria:
- Educational record;
- scientific quality of the applicant’s CV;
- expected individual impact and benefit to the fellow and to the project;
- previous experience in the subject of the CanGoNano research programme.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews with multiple supervisors from the network (online or in-person). Good level of English proficiency (understood, spoken and written) will be considered. Candidates will be notified of the outcome via the website.
Additional comments
The start of the employment is foreseen on the 1st January 2027, in accordance with the local regulations of the recruiting institution and in agreement with the local supervisors. Doctoral candidates must be enrolled in a doctoral programme leading to the award of a doctoral degree in at least one EU Member State or Horizon Europe Associated Country. Candidates must meet all admission requirements for the PhD programme at the recruitinginstitution. These requirements must be fulfilled at the start of the contract. Candidates of all nationalities and genders are welcome to apply. In line with MSCA requirements, candidates must be willing to undertake international mobility during the fellowship, which is a mandatory requirement and may account for up to 30% of the contract duration. Please submit your application form, including CV, motivation letter, recommendation letter(s), and copies of relevant diplomas/documents via the project website: www.cangonano.eu by using the “APPLY NOW” function Candidates will be notified of the outcome via the website. For questions exclusively not addressed in the application guidelines available on the project website, candidates may contact the project team at cangonano@chimica.unifi.it. Replies will be provided only in such cases.
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: enGenes Biotech
Country: Austria
City: Vienna
Postal Code: 1190
Street: Muthgasse 11
Contact
State/Province: Vienna
City: Vienna
Website: http://engenes.cc
Street: Muthgasse 11
Postal Code: 1190
E-Mail: juergen.mairhofer@engenes.cc
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