Electrically tuneable micro- perforated membranes for drug delivery

Host: IVTECH Ltd, Pisa, Italy. http://www.ivtech.it/ The PhD programme will be provided by University of Pisa, Consiglio Nazionale di Ricerca, Instituto di Fisiologia Clinica

Mission
IVTech is a start-up originating from the University of Pisa. We design in-vitro technologies for the development of physiologically relevant tissue models and for the reduction and refinement of animal tests. All our devices permit in-situ live -imaging and can be linked together to simulate multi-organ systems.
Our mission is to bring advanced in-vitro technologies into mainstream cell culture practice through the dissemination of our products. IVTech also provides workshops and practical training on the use of modular bioreactors and dynamic cell cultures.

Objectives: The research plan focuses on making tuneable micro-perforated membranes for assessing drug delivery across biological barriers (lung, intestine) in physiologically relevant conditions (motion and flow). We shall develop a scalable low-cost technique to make high quality microperforated EAP membranes for cell culture that can be electrically tuned, providing peristaltic or respiration-like movement. This motion is known to modulate changes in barrier permeability to drugs and chemicals. Such deformable active devices will play a key role in the development of low-cost and biomimetic systems for drug delivery testing. The research fellow will use the unique technologies for the design and fabrication of membranes with micron sized holes, and for electrode printing. Then, the membranes will be assembled in an integrated cell-culture device to investigate how their motion influences the translocation of fluorescent labeled molecules across the pores. IVTECH will guide the fellow through the design process to ensure the research has commercial impact.

Applications are invited for PhD positions (“Early Stage Researchers” ESR) to be funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network “MICACT – Microactuators” within the Horizon 2020 Programme of the European Commission. The ESR will obtain PhD with a wide experience in materials engineering and/or mechatronics engineering.
The successful candidate should have following profile:
● M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, Material Science/Engineering,, or related field
● Strong experimental skills in electrical and mechanical engineering, materials science, basic polymer science, functional biology or related field
● Have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research and enjoy teamwork with colleagues in a multicultural setting.
● Adept at thinking at a system level, interested in applications and enjoy building and testing working devices
● Highly motivated, taking initiative, communicative, quality minded, flexible, and eager to learn
● Eager to frequent travel to secondment hosts and workshops
● Experience in the fields of soft actuators or testing will be an asset.
● Basic knowledge in clean room processes will be appreciated
● Fluent in English. Knowledge of local language is a plus.

Application procedure:

Interested candidates should send their CV and Letter of Motivations to HOST CONTACT (indicate the selected ESR and host!). Deadline for applications is January 28th. Earlier application gives an advantage.
The host contact person will give additional information about formal requirements to apply for PhD student position at specific university.

Positions will be filled starting from March 1st.

Benefits and salary
The MSCA programme offers highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for early stage researchers. Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment [Living Allowance = 37.320 euro/year (correction factor to be applied per country) + Monthly mobility allowance = 600 to 1100 euro depending on the family situation]. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.

Eligibility criteria
● Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, at the time of recruitment by the host, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. ESR should qualify as PhD student for PhD programme in the university in which the research training is provided.
● Researchers can be of any nationality. At the time of recruitment by the host, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the reference date. Short stays such as holidays and/or compulsory national service are not taken into account.