PhD position in advancing targeted alpha therapy (TAT) for Glioblastoma (GBM)

Offer Description

About INNOVARTBRAIN project

Coordinated by the University of Santiago de Compostela, INNOVARTBRAIN is a multidisciplinary Doctoral Network dedicated to advancing innovative radiotherapy (RT) approaches for brain tumours. The network adopts a holistic strategy to address the major challenges associated with brain tumours, including radioresistance, tumour infiltration and immunosuppression. By bringing together leading expertise from academic, clinical and industrial partners, INNOVARTBRAIN establishes a strong collaborative network to advance both the fundamental understanding and translational potential of innovative radiotherapy approaches, while developing enabling technologies for the field. The network will further strengthen these research activities while training a new generation of creative, innovative and entrepreneurial researchers.

The INNOVARTBRAIN network will recruit 14 PhD candidates across the consortium.

About Team 5 of the CRCI2NA research unit

The doctoral candidate will join Team 5 – GLIAD (Design and Application of Innovative Locoregional Treatments in Glioblastoma), based in Angers within the Nantes–Angers Center for Research in Cancer and Integrated Immunology (CRCI2NA), Inserm U1307 / CNRS 6075.

GLIAD is one of the 12 research teams of CRCI2NA, a multidisciplinary cancer research center that approaches cancer as a complex ecosystem through the complementary perspectives of "seeing, understanding and treating." Within this framework, GLIAD focuses on glioblastoma and develops innovative locoregional therapeutic strategies targeting tumor biology, the tumor microenvironment and treatment resistance, with the ultimate goal of anticipating recurrence and improving patient outcomes.

Presentation of the PhD project

Within this project, the University of Angers is recruiting one doctoral student for 36 months under the supervision of Dr Emmanuel Garcion, director of CRCI2NA Team 5. The successful candidate will pursue a PhD at the University of Angers, France.

The doctoral candidate will investigate targeted alpha therapy as an innovative locoregional treatment strategy for glioblastoma, one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-treat brain tumours, characterised by limited therapeutic options and a high risk of recurrence despite surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Using a preclinical glioblastoma model, the project will assess how the molecular target, delivery vector and radionuclide collectively influence therapeutic efficacy. Beyond evaluating anti-tumour effects, the doctoral candidate will investigate how targeted alpha therapy damages tumour tissue and reshapes the local and systemic immune response. By combining imaging, histology and single-cell transcriptomics, in collaboration with the partner institutions INEM and MUW, the project aims to provide an integrated understanding of the mechanisms underlying targeted alpha therapy and to identify key determinants of its efficacy, thereby supporting its future translation towards clinical application.

Planned secondments: The doctoral candidate will undertake international secondments within the INNOVARTBRAIN network, including:

• INEM: Institut Necker-Enfants Malades (INSERM U1151). Paris, France
• MUW: Medical University of Vienna. Austria.

These secondments will provide exposure to complementary academic and clinical research environments, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and providing opportunities to develop additional scientific, technical and transferable skills.

Where to apply

E-mail: emmanuel.garcion@univ-angers.fr

Requirements

• Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology
• Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

We are looking for a highly motivated researcher with a Master's degree in neuroscience, neuro-oncology, cancer biology, molecular biology, biomedical sciences, radiopharmacy, or a related field. A strong interest in glioblastoma biology, radionuclide-based therapies and translational cancer research is expected.

Experience in preclinical models of brain tumours, neuro-oncology, molecular and cellular biology, immunology will be considered an advantage. Familiarity with radiopharmaceuticals, targeted radionuclide therapy, monoclonal antibodies or tumour–microenvironment interactions would be particularly valuable. The candidate will be expected to develop expertise in the multidisciplinary approaches required by the project, including in vivo experimentation, imaging, histology, molecular and cellular analyses, and interpretation of high-dimensional biological data. An interest in bioinformatics and data science, including transcriptomic data analysis, will be an advantage.

The successful candidate should demonstrate scientific curiosity, motivation for interdisciplinary research, good organisational and communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in an international and multidisciplinary environment. Excellent oral and written English is required, together with a strong interest in developing both scientific and transferable skills within the MSCA Doctoral Network.

• Languages: ENGLISH
• Level: Good
• Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology

Additional Information

Benefits

A salary in line with the guidelines of the MSCA-DN Programme including the monthly Living allowance based on France rate (4735,81 EUR), the monthly Mobility allowance (710 EUR) and, if applicable, the monthly Family allowance (660,00 EUR) and the monthly Special needs allowance (the exact amount may vary depending on specific circumstances). These are gross amounts including compulsory deductions under national law, such as employer and employee social security contributions and direct taxes or the fixed-amount fellowship. The Researcher will be paid the amounts indicated minus the compulsory deductions under national legislation.

Eligibility criteria

In accordance with the MSCA mobility rule, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g. work or studies) in France for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately preceding the recruitment, which is expected to take place in January or February 2027. Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered. An applicant must have completed a relevant Master's degree before the starting date of employment.

Selection process

Application procedure:

Applicants should submit the following documents and submit their application to emmanuel.garcion@univ-angers.fr by 31st of October 2026 in (IN A ONE SINGLE PDF FILE) clearly indicating in the subject: InnovaRTBRAIN - Application for PhD Project 2:

• Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages);
• Motivation letter (maximum 1 page);
• a copy of the degree (usually the Master Degree).
• In case the degree has not been obtained yet, it is necessary to send an official declaration or document of the university stating that the degree will be obtained before the expected starting date (February 1st 2027) as well as a certified document indicating the courses/modules they have attended with marks.
• Contact details for 1–2 referees who may provide a reference letter.

Please include in your CV your periods of residence according to the MSCA mobility rule mentioned above.

Assessment procedure:

A committee, including the PhD supervisor, will pre-select candidates based on the information provided in the application. The applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Educational record;
• Scientific quality of the applicant's CV;
• Expected individual impact and benefits to both the fellow and the project;
• Previous experience related to the subject of the PhD research program

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for online interviews and the candidates will be notified of the outcome.

Additional comments

Labeled HRS4R and in line with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers, our recruitment process will be transparent, open, equal, internationally recognized and aligns with the principles of transparency, fairness, and inclusivity.

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 1
• Company/Institute: Université d'Angers
• Country: France
• City: ANGERS
• Postal Code: 49933
• Street: 4, Rue Larrey

Contact

• City: 49035 ANGERS Cedex
• Website: https://crci2na.univ-nantes.fr/en/research/team-5
• Street: 40 rue de Rennes - BP 73532
• E-Mail: emmanuel.garcion@univ-angers.fr