2 PhD positions within the MSCA Doctoral Network "AGRIPOLYS" at the University of Padova, Italy

Doctorat / PhD Profil chercheur : First Stage Researcher (R1) Type de contrat : Temporary Date limite de candidature : 31 Dec 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Rome) Date de début : 1 Jan 2027 Programme UE : Horizon Europe - MSCA Référence : 101311807 Département : Department of Chemical Sciences Domaine : Chemistry

The MOC Lab at the University of Padova is recruiting two PhD candidates within AGRIPOLYS - Molecularly Designed Polymers for Sustainable Agriculture, a newly funded Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCADN) bringing together leading European universities and industrial partners in polymer science, environmental science, plant biology and agricultural technologies. Our group develops advanced functional polymeric materials through the molecular design of monomers and macromolecules and the precise control of polymer composition, functionality and architecture. Within AGRIPOLYS, our research will focus on the development of functional and biodegradable polymers designed to interact with biological systems and enable more sustainable technologies for agriculture. As a doctoral candidate, your research will have a strong focus on experimental organic and polymer chemistry, combining monomer design and synthesis, controlled polymerization, macromolecular engineering and advanced polymer characterization. Depending on the specific project, you will develop either biodegradable functional polymers for the stabilization of beneficial microorganisms or water-soluble polymers with precisely controlled architectures for the complexation and delivery of biological molecules in plants. The 2 PhD projects: PhD 1 - Biodegradable functional polymers: Design of monomers and synthetic strategies towards functional, biodegradable poly(meth)acrylates, with emphasis on controlling polymer functionality and degradation while promoting the stabilization and survival of beneficial microorganisms PhD 2 - Polymeric carriers for biological delivery: Design and synthesis of water-soluble polymers with controlled molecular architectures, including bottlebrush polymers, to investigate how macromolecular structure and functionality can be engineered for the complexation, transport and delivery of nucleic acids in plants.

The MOC Lab at the University of Padova is recruiting two PhD candidates within AGRIPOLYS - Molecularly Designed Polymers for Sustainable Agriculture, a newly funded Marie Sklodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCADN) bringing together leading European universities and industrial partners in polymer science, environmental science, plant biology and agricultural technologies.

Our group develops advanced functional polymeric materials through the molecular design of monomers and macromolecules and the precise control of polymer composition, functionality and architecture. Within AGRIPOLYS, our research will focus on the development of functional and biodegradable polymers designed to interact with biological systems and enable more sustainable technologies for agriculture.

As a doctoral candidate, your research will have a strong focus on experimental organic and polymer chemistry, combining monomer design and synthesis, controlled polymerization, macromolecular engineering and advanced polymer characterization. Depending on the specific project, you will develop either biodegradable functional polymers for the stabilization of beneficial microorganisms or water-soluble polymers with precisely controlled architectures for the complexation and delivery of biological molecules in plants.

The 2 PhD projects:

PhD 1 - Biodegradable functional polymers: Design of monomers and synthetic strategies towards functional, biodegradable poly(meth)acrylates, with emphasis on controlling polymer functionality and degradation while promoting the stabilization and survival of beneficial microorganisms

PhD 2 - Polymeric carriers for biological delivery: Design and synthesis of water-soluble polymers with controlled molecular architectures, including bottlebrush polymers, to investigate how macromolecular structure and functionality can be engineered for the complexation, transport and delivery of nucleic acids in plants.

Where to apply E-mail [email]