Deadline: 21 June 2019
Sweet Crosstalk is a multidisciplinary European Training Network built to address the challenge of understanding, at a molecular level, how glycans are involved at the human mucosa–microbiota interface, and how this correlates with human well-being. The research strategy of the Sweet Crosstalkprogramme focuses on optimal synergy between chemistry and biology. In the network the expertise ranges from chemical synthesis, biochemistry, structural biology to microbiology and cell biology.
Our 7 academic groups are all renowned leaders in the glycoscience and microbiome fields, whereas the complementary 4 companies are specialized in glycan-based diagnostics and prophylactic therapies. Under their guidance, the Early Stage Researchers trained in this network will become the new generation of innovative scientists with expert knowledge and skills in interdisciplinary glycoscience and human microbiome research. Pursuing a PhD within the Sweet Crosstalk Training Network is an excellent starting point for a career at both top European research institutions as well as the healthcare/biotech job market.
We are currently looking for talented and motivated candidates to become Sweet Crosstalk PhD students.
Do you want to be trained as a scientific expert in innovative glyco- and microbiome science? Are you open-minded, curious, ready to explore new ways, and do you like the challenge of working in a dynamic international network with 15 PhDs at seven leading European academic research institutes and four life science companies, covering different aspects of innovative glyco- and microbiome science? Then apply!
Quickly jump to descriptions of available PhD research projects:ESR1 & ESR8 (Wennekes, Netherlands); ESR2 & ESR3 (Juge, UK); ESR4 (Overkleeft, Netherlands); ESR5 & ESR6 (Molinaro, Italy); ESR7 & ESR10 (Salonen, Finland); ESR9 (Rovira, Spain); ESR11 (Cani, Belgium); ESR12 (Beauprez, Belgium); ESR13 (Vigsnæs, Denmark); ESR14 (Mercenier, NL); ESR 15 (Field, UK)
The Sweet Crosstalk Network offers:
- highly competitive &attractive salary and working conditions in accordance with the MarieSkłodowska-Curie Action regulations for Early Stage Researchers
- The standard length for the PhDpositions is a 3-year-MSCA contract, but for several ESR positions inthe Sweet Crosstalk ITN funding for an additional 4th year will be provided by the host institution (see website for details)
- challenging research projects to leadto a dissertation (PhD thesis) at high profile universities, researchinstitutions and companies located around Europe.
- the opportunity to become an expertin the field of glyco- & microbiome science and hold a uniqueposition within the European labour market
- training in state-of-the-art scientific skills and transferable managerial skills
- participation in network-wide training activities, courses, workshops and conferences
- intersectoral secondments to gain work experience and training in several academic institutes and an industrial setting
What is a secondment?:
a research training period of several months spent by an ESR/PhD student at the premises of a different research institute or company in the Sweet Crosstalk ITN. The secondment will involve physical mobility of the ESR/PhD to the other ITN partner. During the secondment, a you receive supervision and training at the premises of the receiving partner.
Requirements for all candidates:
In accordance with the very strict EC Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions (MSCA) Sweet Crosstalk ITN rules you must meet the following two eligibility criteria for your ESR/PhD position(s) of interest (so, please do not respond if you are not eligible):
Eligibility criteria 1:
Candidates did not reside or carry out their main activity (e.g. reside, work, studies) in the country of the PhD host institution for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately prior to project’s application deadline (time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention, compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account).
Eligibility criteria 2:
Candidates are in the first four years of their research careers upon the starting date of their appointment to an ESR/PhD position (full-time equivalent research experience, measured from the date when a researcher obtained the degree entitling him or her to embark on a doctorate) and have not been awarded a doctoral (PhD) degree.
Profile of candidates, are you:
- in possession of a Master degreethat fits the research area(s) of the ESR position(s) of your interest,such as a degree in the field of molecular life sciences, chemistry,chemical biology, biochemistry, cell biology, molecular biology,microbiology, life sciences/medicine, pharmaceutical sciences,biotechnology, OR will you obtain such a Master degree by September2019?
- an excellent student who has obtained high grades during your studies?
- do you have an inquisitive mind-set, accuracy, focus and are you self-reliant?
- willing to undertake trans-national mobility to perform research abroad?
- proficient in the English language (both oral and written)?
- able to work and collaborate withinan international multidisciplinary team? Excellent communication skillsand cooperation skills are required
- interested in molecular life sciences in general and glyco- & microbiome science in particular?
- fulfilling all the requirements and eligibility criteria?
Project website: www.sweetcrosstalk.eu/recruitment/