Doctoral Candidate F/M (research and technical staff) for the project Next-generation polymers with controlled microstructure and topology for enhanced stability and release (D7)

Doctorat / PhD Profil chercheur : First Stage Researcher (R1) Type de contrat : Temporary Date limite de candidature : 30 Nov 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Date de début : 1 Jan 2027 Programme UE : Horizon Europe - MSCA Référence : IDEAS-DC15-MyB Domaine : Physics » Chemical physics

Doctoral Candidate F/M (research and technical staff) for the project Next-generation polymers with controlled microstructure and topology for enhanced stability and release (D7) IDEAS - Improving drug efficacy with next-generation amorphous materials and trained experts. The Marie-Skłodowska Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA DN): “Improving drug efficacy with next-generation amorphous materials and trained experts”, (IDEAS) funded by the European Community is recruiting 15 young researchers . The doctoral candidates (DCs) will be trained not only to perform original and independent research on an internationally competitive level, but also in developing creative, critical and entrepreneurial mindsets, to be prepared for a wide spectrum of career opportunities. The IDEAS Doctoral Network is designed to empower a new generation of young scientists in the field of amorphous pharmaceutical systems, strengthening Europe’s biotech/pharma industry and academic innovation capacity. This effort demands a unified project bringing together the cross-disciplinary expertise of academic research groups in materials science, physics, chemistry, and pharmacy, alongside industry partners. The network comprises a consortium of 7 universities (University of Lille, University of Pisa, University of Silesia in Katowice, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Université Catholique de Louvain, Trinity College Dublin, NOVA University of Lisbon), 2 large companies (Janssen Pharmaceutica, Zentiva) and 1 SME (MyBiotech). Through this programme, the fellows will collaborate to develop eco-friendly manufacturing technologies for amorphous materials, establish science-based control over material properties, and explore a wide range of materials to achieve efficient production of high-quality amorphous formulations. This advanced research-driven training will be further enriched with dedicated training events (e.g., online and in-person workshops, summer schools) and intersectoral and interdisciplinary mobility through secondments. After having completed their studies and the IDEAS programme, this innovative and multidisciplinary training will qualify this new generation of scientists not only for an academic career, but also for working in industry and beyond. See also https://ideas-msca.eu/ for more details. Note that all of projects have their individual job advertisement. Candidates can apply for a maximum of THREE projects. The DCs will be employed by the host institution of the selected project and enrolled in the host organisation’s or affiliated university’s PhD programme. APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30.11.2026 Note that different projects have various application deadline! General job description manage and carry out the individual research project; participate in the IDEAS training and network activities; take PhD courses; write scientific articles and the PhD thesis; participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings; research stay at external research laboratories or company sites; disseminate the research outcomes; participate in the undergraduate teaching of students. Research project description DC 7 at the Univeristy of Silesia in Katowice (Poland)- Next-generation polymers with controlled microstructure and topology for enhanced stability and release . Context: Polymeric excipients are key components in amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs), where they stabilize amorphous drug forms and modulate release kinetics. However, the molecular design principles that link polymer microstructure and topology to ASD performance remain poorly understood. This project aims to design, synthesize, and characterize next-generation biocompatible polymers and copolymers with precisely controlled chain architecture, topology, and amphiphilicity to achieve tunable stabilization and dissolution of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Objectives: This project aims to design, synthesise, and characterise next-generation biocompatible polymers and copolymers with precisely tailored microstructure, chain topology, and amphiphilicity to achieve controlled stabilization and dissolution of selected APIs. By integrating advanced polymer synthesis, comprehensive physicochemical characterisation, and collaborative computational modelling, the project will uncover the structure–property relationships that govern polymer-mediated stabilization and release in ASDs. Expected results: Identification of polymer architectures and topologies that maximize API stabilization and enable tuneable release kinetics; Mechanistic understanding of how polymer microstructure and topology govern amorphous stability and dissolution control; Development of structure–property–function relationships guiding the rational design of polymeric excipients for diverse APIs; Generation of polymer libraries and design principles transferable to industrial formulation development. Research Methodology: The doctoral candidate will synthesize biocompatible polymers and copolymers (e.g., PEG, PCL, PLA derivatives) using controlled polymerization techniques such as RAFT, ATRP, and ROP, enabling precise control of chain length, branching, and amphiphilicity. Polymer architecture will be systematically varied (linear, block, graft, cyclic) to probe how microstructural features influence drug–polymer interactions and amorphous stability. Comprehensive characterization will be conducted using NMR, GPC, DSC, PXRD, FTIR, and SAXS to assess chemical composition, molecular weight distribution, morphology, and thermal transitions.. Planned secondments: • Prof. L. Tajber (Trinity College Dublin, Ireland) Study of the interactions between polymers and APIs. • Dr. G. Garbacz (Physiolution, Germany) Exposure of the DC to industry R&D. Study of dissolution and solubility properties of the various formulations consisted of biocompatible polymers and copolymers with varying microstructure and topology. Starting date: 1 January 2027

Doctoral Candidate F/M (research and technical staff) for the project Next-generation polymers with controlled microstructure and topology for enhanced stability and release (D7)

IDEAS - Improving drug efficacy with next-generation amorphous materials and trained experts.

The Marie-Skłodowska Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA DN): “Improving drug efficacy with next-generation amorphous materials and trained experts”, (IDEAS) funded by the European Community is recruiting 15 young researchers .

The doctoral candidates (DCs) will be trained not only to perform original and independent research on an internationally competitive level, but also in developing creative, critical and entrepreneurial mindsets, to be prepared for a wide spectrum of career opportunities.

The IDEAS Doctoral Network is designed to empower a new generation of young scientists in the field of amorphous pharmaceutical systems, strengthening Europe’s biotech/pharma industry and academic innovation capacity. This effort demands a unified project bringing together the cross-disciplinary expertise of academic research groups in materials science, physics, chemistry, and pharmacy, alongside industry partners. The network comprises a consortium of 7 universities (University of Lille, University of Pisa, University of Silesia in Katowice, Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Université Catholique de Louvain, Trinity College Dublin, NOVA University of Lisbon), 2 large companies (Janssen Pharmaceutica, Zentiva) and 1 SME (MyBiotech). Through this programme, the fellows will collaborate to develop eco-friendly manufacturing technologies for amorphous materials, establish science-based control over material properties, and explore a wide range of materials to achieve efficient production of high-quality amorphous formulations. This advanced research-driven training will be further enriched with dedicated training events (e.g., online and in-person workshops, summer schools) and intersectoral and interdisciplinary mobility through secondments. After having completed their studies and the IDEAS programme, this innovative and multidisciplinary training will qualify this new generation of scientists not only for an academic career, but also for working in industry and beyond.

See also https://ideas-msca.eu/ for more details.

Note that all of projects have their individual job advertisement. Candidates can apply for a maximum of THREE projects. The DCs will be employed by the host institution of the selected project and enrolled in the host organisation’s or affiliated university’s PhD programme.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 30.11.2026 Note that different projects have various application deadline!

General job description

manage and carry out the individual research project;

participate in the IDEAS training and network activities;

take PhD courses;

write scientific articles and the PhD thesis;

participate in national and international congresses and scientific meetings;

research stay at external research laboratories or company sites;

disseminate the research outcomes;

participate in the undergraduate teaching of students.

Research project description

DC 7 at the Univeristy of Silesia in Katowice (Poland)- Next-generation polymers with controlled microstructure and topology for enhanced stability and release .

Context: Polymeric excipients are key components in amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs), where they stabilize amorphous drug forms and modulate release kinetics. However, the molecular design principles that link polymer microstructure and topology to ASD performance remain poorly understood. This project aims to design, synthesize, and characterize next-generation biocompatible polymers and…