Doctoral Researcher (Generation and optimization of armed oncolytic viruses (e.g. rADV-IL-12 variants) for treatment of GBM, DC 2 in MSCA-DN INTRABRAIN)

Position Description

Prof. Vincenzo Cerullo’s lab is seeking a PhD student to validate novel recombinant armed oncolytic virus variants as potential therapeutic agents for glioblastoma (GBM). The selected PhD candidate will obtain degree at the University of Helsinki. The PhD position consists of studies at Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Helsinki (UH, Finland) and secondments at consortium partner organisations in Italy, Spain and France. The position is funded by the Doctoral Network (DN) project “INTRABRAIN” of the Horizon-Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA).

The topics of the PhD candidate: The doctoral candidate will focus on developing and validating novel rADV-IL-12 variants as potential therapeutic agents for glioblastoma (GBM). Their work will involve generating recombinant oncolytic adenoviruses, evaluating their efficacy through in vitro and in vivo experiments, and analysing the immune response and antigenic profile of treated tumours. In addition, the candidate will contribute to scaling up the most promising viral constructs from laboratory research to production-ready systems. Through secondments they will gain expertise in intranasal delivery strategies, focused ultrasound technologies for enhancing drug delivery across the blood–brain barrier and nanomaterial integration. The candidate will also address technical challenges related to viral vector design and delivery by applying advanced (bio)nanotechnology-based solutions.

Requirements

• To be a doctoral candidate (DC): You must, at the time of recruitment, be in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of your research career and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
• Mobility rule: At the time of the recruitment, you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (e.g. work and studies) in Finland for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to your recruitment.
• English language: Network fellows (DCs) must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high.
• Master level in Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Nanomedicine, Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology, or related field, ideally with a multidisciplinary background in molecular biology, immunology and microbiology.

Salary and Benefits

Salary, pension and terms of employment are in accordance with the requirements from the European Commission related to the MSCA programme. The salary (monthly living allowance) is 3 639,84 € per month before taxes. Additionally, a monthly mobility allowance 546,15 € per month before taxes will be paid. If applicable, a conditional monthly family allowance of 507,69 € per month before taxes are paid.

The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months. Standard Finnish pension benefits and occupational health care are provided.

How to apply

Please submit your application, together with the required attachments AS A SINGLE PDF FILE (in the CV section), through the University of Helsinki Recruitment System via the button Apply now (or Employee login).

The application must contain: INTRABRAIN DC application form (download template), Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages), Cover letter (max 1 page), Certificate of Master’s Degree with transcript of records, Proof of English proficiency, Contact details of 2 previous supervisors or employers, List of publications (if applicable), etc.

Application deadline is on the 28 of May 2026 at 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki time).

Further information: INTRABRAIN website, ImmunoViroTherapy Lab, Professor Vincenzo Cerullo (vincenzo.cerullo@helsinki.fi).