That’s the project

CAARE - “Characterization and Recovery of Bionanoparticles for Vaccine Delivery and Gene Therapy”, compare https://www.caare-project.eu/, is a European Doctoral Networks project. Planned research will investigate the characterization and recovery of bionanoparticles for vaccine delivery and gene therapy. Overall, 14 Doctoral Candidates will be trained at seven institutions in five European countries and will be supported by a network of industrial and academic partners. 

About the position

The objective of this project is the development and application of soft sensors consisting of PAT and mechanistic / data driven modelling allowing process control. Steps to be taken will be:

1. Developing a process applicable PAT method (single / multisensoric) for AAV / LNP / VLP detection during downstream processing.
2. Theoretical investigation of molecule stability during DSP, using molecular interaction simulations such as e.g. Molecular dynamics (MD).
3. Combination of PAT and data driven modelling.
4. Application of the produced soft sensor to investigate the feasibility of process control.

The project will be supervised by Prof. Jürgen Hubbuch and Dr.-Ing. Iris Perner-Nochta. The successful applicant will be enrolled as a doctoral candidate at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and will work on the above-mentioned topic.

Personal qualification

You have an excellent master’s degree in the field of biotechnology, bio-/chemical engineering, (bio) process engineering, bioinformatics, biophysics or biomathematics. 

Ideally you have

• Programming skills and knowledge on machine learning and statistical data evaluation, creation of scientific programme codes using common software packages (MATLAB, Python, R) 
• Simulation skills with e.g. molecular dynamics and alpha fold
• Knowledge of biopharmaceutical process development; process analytical technologies (PAT) and common analytical methods for biopharmaceuticals will be an advantage;
• Very good communication skills in English both written and verbal;
• An ability to and commitment to producing scientific outputs for publication in peer-reviewed journals;
• Evidence of ability to work independently and collaboratively within an international team;
• A willingness to take on responsibility; 
• Interest for / A basic knowledge of the German language.

You are 

• Highly motivated, with excellent organisation skills and with strong attention to detail and quality;
• willing to travel to attend secondments, training and academic events.

Specific Requirements / Eligibility criteria

• Master's concerning the scientific disciplinary area of relevance obtained in Germany or the equivalent title obtained abroad (Bioinformatics, Biophysics, Biomathematics, Biotechnology, Bio-/ Chemical Engineering, (Bio) Process Engineering,)
• An excellent track record of academic achievement.
• At the effective starting date of this contract, applicants must not have been awarded with a PhD;
• At the effective starting date of this contract, applicants must not have resided in Germany for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the appointment;
• For more information on the eligibility criteria for European Doctoral Network, please check https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks 

Compare also further information on: https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/339575