1 funded PhD - study of microRNA expression profile in Central Areolar Chroidal Dystrophy

Candidates reseachers must:

• have MSc level training in the field of Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Neurosciences, Biomedicine or similar related to the project
• possess scientific skills and research experience related to the DC4 project
• desired skills

1. Good experience with animal handling.
2. Basic knowledge of bioinformatic tools for RNA data analysis.

• possess a good working level of English: candidates must demonstrate during the interview a good ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English, sufficiently high to fully benefit from the experience 
• be highly motivated to participate in the 3 year programme and commit to obtain the PhD degree
• be creative and possess a high level of independency 
• be available and agree with travelling in the RETORNA consortium for secondments

RETORNA Doctoral candidate  will be employed according to the rules for Doctoral Candidates in MSCA Doctoral Network and the general regulations of the hosting institution.

The monthly financial package will include the following researcher allowances:

1) Living allowance 

2) Mobility allowance 

3) Family allowance if applicable.

The full-time gross yearly salary amounts to € 36.026,00 Euro (family allowance will be calculated only if applicable).

The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months starting from autumn 2023.

Other benefits:

The selected candidate, together with other 9 DCs that will be selected, will benefit from a large variety of activities foreseen for them. DCs at RETORNA will be provided with a unique multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral training. First and foremost, DCs will be trained as scientists, each of them in their host institution, at their research secondments, and through local and network wide events. Next, thanks to the partnership between academic and non-academic entities, DCs will receive multi-sectoral inputs from both worlds. This will happen via lectures and workshops in our varied training program.

Please read carefully ALL the eligibility criteria and apply only if you possess them:

• candidates can be of any nationality
• must comply with the following mobility rule: researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) and participate in all the activities foreseen by the project when taking up the appointment (trainings, summer courses, annual meetings, lectures, participation in conferences, public activities).
• possess a Master degree or an equivalent that allows the access to the doctoral program in the Universidad de Alicante 
• be, at the date of recruitment, a doctoral candidate (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree). Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
• not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

The RETORNA selection procedure is open, transparent, merit-based and in line with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and the European Charter for Researchers.

The criteria for recruitment of DCs will respect the principles of non-discrimination contained in The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

It is the policy of the RETORNA project to promote and give equal opportunities regardless of gender and stimulate gender balance.

Documents required 

Interested candidates should submit the following documents via email to andreea.craciun@ucv.es, indicating in the e-mail title "RETORNA - DC4 application":

• a detailed CV, including – if applicable – relevant publications
• a motivation letter, indicating why you wish to conduct this research project
• two references
• transcripts of bachelor and master degrees
• English certificate if any

All documents must be named as "type of document_Name Surname" (i.e. Motivation letter_Andreea Craciun")

We encourage candidates to send any other certificates, representative publications, academic references or links demostrating the experience and interest in the project. 

Selection process

The selection process will foreseen the following steps:

1.  Eligibility: the RETORNA recruitment committee will check that each application is complete and that applicants fulfil the eligibility criteria described in the previous section.

2. Evaluation: each eligible application will be assessed by the principal investigators of our network. The principal investigator will select up to four candidates per position for the following steps:

a. Online interviews: online interviews will be scheduled, in person interview will be organized where possible. Short-listed candidates will be invited for an online interview with the supervisor responsible for the research project. At least one member of the recruitment committee will attend the online interviews.

b. Selection results: our recruitment committee will notify short-listed candidates of the results.

c. Hiring process and enrollment: the selected candidates will be put in touch with the principal investigator and the HR Department of the Universidad de Alicante to initiate the hiring procedure.

Applicants who have not been successful but who have received a positive evaluation will be put on a waiting list to cover possible withdrawals and future positions.

Recruitment calendar:

• Deadline for applications: 24th of May 
• Eligibility and Evaluation: 25-26th of May  2023 
• Online Interviews: 29 May - 6 of June 2023
• Notification to candidates: 7th of June 2023
• Hiring process: June - August 2023
• Start date of the PhD:  September - October 2023