Research Assistant position for a PhD student

Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions: PhD Positions Application Deadline: 16 Nov 2026 - 15:00 (Europe/Bucharest) Country: Romania Type of Contract: Temporary Job Status: Full-time Hours Per Week: 40 Offer Starting Date: 1 Dec 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No Offer Description Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy (UMFCD), Bucharest, partner P2 in project 17CoEx/2026 “National Multidisciplinary Research Center of Excellence for Drug-Resistant Infections” (ARES), opens one full-time Research Assistant position for a PhD student, on a fixed-term contract for the period 1 December 2026 – 31 December 2030. The UMFCD team develops lipid and vesicular nanostructured systems for the targeted transport and release of antimicrobial compounds, characterises plant extracts and determines antibiotics in environmental samples by mass spectrometry. Main duties: prepare nanostructured formulations and membrane/biomimetic vesicles loaded with antimicrobial compounds (antibiotics, new compounds, standardised plant extracts); characterise the formulations: size, polydispersity index, zeta potential, morphology, encapsulation efficiency, stability, in vitro release kinetics; optimise them through Design of Experiments; prepare samples and analyse plant extracts by LC-MS (compositional profiling, annotation, molecular networking); determine antibiotics and their degradation products in environmental samples (water, soil, plant organs); develop and validate analytical methods, experimental protocols and standard operating procedures; transfer characterised formulations and extracts to the biological evaluation teams of the consortium; record experiments in the laboratory notebook and manage data under the project Data Management Plan (FAIR principles); contribute to technical reports, scientific papers, conference communications and patent applications. Where to apply E-mail: runos@umfcd.ro Website: https://umfcd.ro/proiecte/proiecte-nationale/ares/concurs-pentru-ocuparea-a-3-posturi-in-cadrul-proiectului-17coex-2026-national-multidisciplinary-research-center-of-excellence-for-drug-resistant-infections-ares/ Requirements Research Field: Pharmacological sciences » Other Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Research Field: Chemistry » Analytical chemistry Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Research Field: Engineering » Chemical engineering Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Research Field: Biological sciences » Other Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent Skills/Qualifications Completed bachelor’s (licence) university studies, with a bachelor’s diploma (or equivalent), in Pharmacy, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biology or related fields. PhD student status, enrolled in an accredited doctoral school. Theoretical knowledge of disperse systems and nanostructured drug delivery systems (liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, nanoemulsions, membrane vesicles) and of their physicochemical characterisation methods (DLS, zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, release kinetics). Basic knowledge of liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS, HRMS) and of sample preparation (extraction, solid-phase extraction). Knowledge of the main classes of antimicrobial compounds (antibiotics and natural compounds of plant origin) and of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Practical laboratory experience in the preparation and characterisation of nanostructured formulations and/or in the LC-MS analysis of plant extracts or environmental samples is an advantage. Knowledge of IT tools for data processing and presentation (Microsoft Office, OriginLab/GraphPad or equivalent); experience with experimental design (DoE) software or mass spectrometry data processing software is an advantage. Scientific activity (published papers, conference communications, participation in research projects) is an advantage. Advanced English, needed for scientific documentation, writing papers and collaboration within the project consortium; a language certificate (minimum B2) is an advantage. Rigour in experimental documentation, ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and availability for full-time work for the duration of the contract. Specific Requirements Supporting document for the specific conditions: certificate of PhD student status. Languages: ROMANIAN — Mother Tongue Languages: ENGLISH — Excellent Research Field: Pharmacological sciences » Other Additional Information Benefits Gross salary: 10,300 RON/month (full-time, 8 hours/day). Fixed-term employment contract for the period 1 December 2026 – 31 December 2030, within the ARES National Multidisciplinary Research Center of Excellence for Drug-Resistant Infections. Eligibility criteria General conditions. Candidates must: hold Romanian citizenship or the citizenship of another Member State of the European Union, of a State party to the Agreement on the European Economic Area (EEA) or of the Swiss Confederation; know the Romanian language, written and spoken; have the capacity to work in accordance with Law no. 53/2003 – Labour Code, republished, as subsequently amended and supplemented; have a health condition appropriate to the position applied for, certified by a medical certificate issued by the family doctor or by authorised healthcare units; meet the specific education requirements of the position; not have been finally convicted of an offence against national security, against authority, against humanity, of corruption or malfeasance in office, of forgery or against the administration of justice, or of an intentional offence that would make the candidate incompatible with the contractual position applied for, unless rehabilitation has occurred; not be serving a complementary penalty prohibiting the right to hold the position, to practise the profession or trade or to carry out the activity used to commit the offence, and not be subject to the safety measure prohibiting the holding of a position or the practice of a profession; not have committed the offences provided for in art. 1(2) of Law no. 118/2019 on the National Automated Register of persons who have committed sexual offences, exploitation of persons or offences against minors, and for supplementing Law no. 76/2008 on the organisation and functioning of the National Judicial Genetic Data System, as subsequently amended. Selection process The competition has two stages, each scored out of 100 points, with a minimum of 50 points to pass: Application file evaluation – administrative check and assessment of the CV against the specific requirements. Interview – based on the interview plan and the topics and bibliography published for each position: communication skills, analysis and synthesis, theoretical knowledge and practical skills, motivation, behaviour in critical situations, and English (reading and discussion of a scientific text). The final score is the arithmetic mean of the two stages (minimum 50 points). Appeals may be lodged within 24 hours of each publication of results. Timeline (2026): applications 9–16 November, until 15:00 · file selection 17 November · results 18 November · appeals 19–20 November · interview 23 November, 14:00 · interview results 24 November · appeals 25 November · final results 26 November. Venue: UMFCD Rectorate, Council Room, 37 Dionisie Lupu Street, Sector 2, Bucharest. All results are published at the UMFCD headquarters and on www.umfcd.ro . Additional comments Full announcement, job description, topics and bibliography: https://umfcd.ro/proiecte/proiecte-nationale/ares/concurs-pentru-ocuparea-a-3-posturi-in-cadrul-proiectului-17coex-2026-national-multidisciplinary-research-center-of-excellence-for-drug-resistant-infections-ares/ Website for additional job details https://umfcd.ro/proiecte/proiecte-nationale/ares/concurs-pentru-ocuparea-a-3-posturi-in-cadrul-proiectului-17coex-2026-national-multidisciplinary-research-center-of-excellence-for-drug-resistant-infections-ares/ Work Location(s) Number of offers available: 1 Company/Institute: Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy Country: Romania City: Bucharest Postal Code: 020021 Street: Dionisie Lupu 37 Contact State/Province: Bucharest City: Bucharest Website: https://umfcd.ro/ Street: Dionisie Lupu Street, no. 37, Sector 2 Postal Code: 020021 E-Mail: valentina.uivarosi@umfcd.ro Phone: +40213180734 Mobile Phone: +40721568789