Introduction
The pursuit of doctoral studies represents a significant milestone in an academic career, offering aspiring researchers the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to their chosen fields. This blog post presents a curated selection of PhD positions currently available across prestigious European institutions for the upcoming academic year. These opportunities span diverse research domains including biotechnology, medicine, biology, engineering, and computer science, providing excellent prospects for candidates with varied academic backgrounds and research interests.
Each position offers a unique research environment, comprehensive training, and the chance to work alongside leading experts in cutting-edge fields. The following opportunities are specifically designed for ambitious doctoral candidates seeking to advance their academic careers through rigorous research training and international collaboration.
PhD Opportunities
1. PhD Position in Systematic Approach Towards High-Level Protein Production in Yeast
Institution: Tallinn University of Technology, Estonia
Project Overview:
This PhD project focuses on implementing a high-throughput platform for rapid construction, expression, and screening of enzyme variants for comprehensive performance analysis. Recent developments in enzyme engineering have leveraged advances in machine learning, directed evolution, and synthetic biology to design more efficient and specific biocatalysts. These innovations have significantly enhanced the ability to tailor enzymes for industrial processes, from pharmaceutical synthesis to sustainable biofuel production.
Key Research Areas:
•Enzyme engineering and optimization
•High-throughput screening methodologies
•Sustainable biocatalyst development
•Machine learning applications in biotechnology
Eligibility Requirements:
•1-4 years of research experience in biological sciences, chemistry/biochemistry, computer science, engineering, or biotechnology
•Strong background in protein engineering and molecular biology
•Experience with high-throughput screening techniques is advantageous
Application Process:
Applications should be submitted online through the official portal at https://taltech.glowbase.com/positions/977
Contact Information:
•Supervisors: Petri-Jaan Lahtvee, Srðan Gavrilović, Steven van der Hoek
•Location: Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
•Institution website: http://www.ttu.ee/en
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
2. Doctoral Scholarship in Dendritic Cell-Based Immunotherapy for Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma
Institution: University of Antwerp, Belgium
Project Overview:
This doctoral project aims to decipher pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients’ immunological responsiveness to dendritic cell (DC)-based immunotherapy. The research involves performing in-depth immunomonitoring to understand the molecular and immune mechanisms underlying vaccine effects within a first-in-human phase I clinical trial. The outcome of this project will pave the way to optimize and implement DC-based immunotherapy in the context of hard-to-treat pancreatic cancer, exploring its place in rationally designed multi-modal treatment strategies targeted at overcoming the immunosuppressive nature of PDAC.
Key Research Areas:
•Immuno-oncology with focus on dendritic cell-based therapies
•Pancreatic cancer immunotherapy
•Clinical trial immunomonitoring
•Cancer immunosuppression mechanisms
Eligibility Requirements:
•Master’s degree in Medicine, Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, Bio-engineering, or Pharmaceutical Sciences
•Strong background in cancer biology and immunology
•Excellent communication skills in English (written and oral)
•Highly motivated with ability to work in an interactive research team
Application Process:
Applications must be submitted through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform with the following attachments:
•A motivation letter
•A detailed academic CV (including honors, grades, skills, publications)
•Contact information of two references
Contact Information:
•Prof. Dr. Timon Vandamme (timon.vandamme@uantwerpen.be)
•Dr. Jonas Van Audenaerde (Jonas.VanAudenaerde@uantwerpen.be)
•Work location: University Center for Clinical Research Antwerp (UNICCRA) and Center for Oncological Research (CORE)
Application Deadline: June 26, 2025
3. Doctoral Student in Biology with a Focus on Molecular Biology
Institution: Lund University, Sweden
Project Overview:
This project aims to unravel key processes that control touch responsiveness in plants and explore how this knowledge can be applied to improve crop yield and sustainable agriculture. The research focuses on understanding the signaling cascade that perceives and transmits mechanical stimulation within seconds, resulting in genome-wide gene expression changes, and studying the impact of touch signaling in cereal crops on yield and stress resistance, including prevention of cereal lodging. Mechanical stimulation significantly affects how plants detect upcoming pest/herbivore attacks and plan their growth and development.
Key Research Areas:
•Plant molecular signaling pathways
•Touch responsiveness in plants
•Crop yield improvement through mechanical treatment
•Sustainable agriculture applications
Eligibility Requirements:
•Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or related fields
•Laboratory experience in molecular biology, genetics, and/or plant physiology
•Practical experience working with Arabidopsis thaliana, cereals, or other model plant species is advantageous
•Experience with molecular and biochemical techniques
•Driver’s license for field work is beneficial
Application Process:
Applications must be written in English and include:
•A cover letter stating reasons for interest in the position
•CV and degree certificate
•Grade transcripts
•Contact information for 2-3 references
Apply through: https://lu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:828992/type:job/where:39/apply:1
Contact Information:
•Website: https://www.lu.se/vacancies
•Location: Lund University, Lund, Sweden
Application Deadline: July 1, 2025
4. PhD Position: T CELL-CODE-Decoding the T Cell Response to the Dynamics of TCR Stimulation
Institution: Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), France
Project Overview:
This project investigates how the dynamics of T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation shape T cell responses. In the lymph node, T cell activation is initiated by a series of transient interactions with antigen-presenting cells that present the cognate ligand for the TCR on their surface. The mechanisms allowing T cells to integrate a series of transient TCR stimulations are poorly understood. The project leverages the Light-inducible T cell engager (LiTE) system, an optogenetics-based TCR agonist whose activity is under the control of light, providing unique spatiotemporal control of TCR triggering in primary T cells.
Key Research Areas:
•T cell receptor dynamics and signaling
•Optogenetics in immunology
•Transcriptional programming in T cells
•Intracellular signaling cascades
Eligibility Requirements:
•Master’s degree or equivalent
•Strong background in immunology and cell biology
•Advanced skills in flow cytometry, biochemistry, and transcriptomics
•Knowledge in optogenetics
•Ability to produce recombinant proteins in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems
•Ability to handle murine models and purify immune primary cells
Application Process:
Applications must be submitted via email to: remi.lasserre@inserm.fr Required documents:
•A cover letter
•A curriculum vitae (CV)
•A reference letter
•The email address of a professional reference
Contact Information:
•Email: patrick.chames@inserm.fr, remi.lasserre@inserm.fr
•Website: http://crcm.marseille.inserm.fr/
•Location: 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France
Application Deadline: July 21, 2025
5. PhD Position: Nanologic- Development of a New Multispecific Receptor Design for CAR-T Cells
Institution: Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille (CRCM), France
Project Overview:
The Nanologic project aims to develop “all-in-one” multispecific CARs by concatenating nanobodies (Nb), specific single-domain molecules, to confer conditional activation to CAR-T cells with a single receptor. Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies have demonstrated considerable efficacy in treating hematological malignancies. However, their therapeutic potential is hindered by challenges including difficulty identifying tumor-specific antigens and loss of target antigen expression on malignant cells. This project will create multispecific CARs integrating Nb for conditional OR-gate and AND-gate activation, produce and evaluate CAR-T cells expressing these receptors, and transfer the technology to target glioblastoma in preclinical models.
Key Research Areas:
•CAR-T cell engineering
•Nanobody-based receptor design
•Conditional activation strategies for immunotherapy
•Glioblastoma treatment approaches
Eligibility Requirements:
•Master’s degree or equivalent
•Strong background in immuno-oncology and cell biology
•Advanced skills in protein engineering, primary cell culture, cytometry, and microscopy
•Ability to produce recombinant proteins in both eukaryotic and prokaryotic systems
•Ability to purify immune primary cells
•Scientific rigor and team collaboration skills
Application Process:
Applications must be submitted via email to: remi.lasserre@inserm.fr Required documents:
•A cover letter
•A curriculum vitae (CV)
•A reference letter
•The email address of a professional reference
Contact Information:
•Email: patrick.chames@inserm.fr
•Website: http://crcm.marseille.inserm.fr/
•Location: 163 Avenue de Luminy, 13288 Marseille, France
Application Deadline: July 20, 2025
6. PhD Position in Epigenetics of Cartilage and Osteoarthritis
Institution: KU Leuven, Belgium
Project Overview:
This project investigates the complex relationship between epigenetic histone modifications and osteoarthritis (OA). Previous work from the research team highlights the key role of histone methyltransferase DOT1L in maintaining joint health. Despite these insights, the precise role of other histone modifications and their interactions in the pathological process from a healthy towards an osteoarthritic joint remain elusive. The research focuses on novel epigenetic factors and their effects on OA-associated changes in cartilage. Understanding these mechanisms could unveil novel therapeutic targets, ultimately alleviating OA burden and enhancing patient outcomes.
Key Research Areas:
•Epigenetic regulation in cartilage
•Histone modifications in osteoarthritis
•Novel therapeutic targets for joint diseases
•Molecular mechanisms of cartilage degeneration
Eligibility Requirements:
•Master’s degree in any area of biology or biomedical sciences
•Previous laboratory experience with cell culture and biochemical assays is desired but not essential
•Experience with laboratory animals and holding a Felasa B certificate is advantageous
•Proactive, ambitious, and dynamic person with problem-solving abilities
•Excellent oral and written communication skills in English
Application Process:
Applications must be submitted via email to: silvia.monteagudo@kuleuven.be and rik.lories@kuleuven.be Required documents:
•A full CV including previous research experience
•A concise cover letter describing motivation, career objectives, and contact details of 2 professional references
Contact Information:
•Prof. Dr. Silvia Monteagudo (silvia.monteagudo@kuleuven.be)
•Prof. Dr. Rik Lories (rik.lories@kuleuven.be)
•Location: Leuven, Belgium
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
7. PhD Student Position to Investigate Gut Microbiota, Immune Regulation, and Nutrition
Institution: Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology at the Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland
Project Overview:
This project explores the therapeutic potential of functional food supplementation in modulating gut microbiota and immune responses in the context of diabetes. The research aims to investigate whether functional food supplementation can counteract dysbiosis and enhance immune regulation, ultimately improving liver health in diabetes. The work focuses on exploring the effects of functional food on gut microbiota composition, particularly beneficial species like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii and Bifidobacterium, assessing the Th17/Treg balance and systemic inflammation in diabetic mouse models, and evaluating liver function and metabolism after functional food intake via NRF2 pathways.
Key Research Areas:
•Gut microbiota modulation through functional foods
•Immune regulation in diabetes
•Liver health and metabolism
•Nutritional interventions for metabolic diseases
Eligibility Requirements:
•Strong background in immunology, microbiology, or molecular biology
•Experience with laboratory mice, including handling, injections, and tissue collection
•Familiarity with flow cytometry, qPCR, or RNA sequencing is advantageous
•Interest in gut microbiota research and host-microbe interactions
•Excellent communication skills in English (written and spoken)
Application Process:
Apply through the website: https://jobrxiv.org/job/institute-of-genetics-and-animal-biotechnology-27778-phd-student-position-to-investigate-gut-microbiota-immune-regulation-nutritional-supplementation-and-liver-health-in-diabetes/
Contact Information:
•Research group of Prof. Atanas G. Atanasov and Dr. Michel-Edwar Mickael
•Location: Institute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology at the Polish Academy of Sciences, near Warsaw, Poland
Application Deadline: July 31, 2025
8. PhD Position in Measurement Electronics Solutions to Characterize Soft Tissues
Institution: Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech), Estonia
Project Overview:
This project aims to examine and develop measurement techniques to characterize soft tissues (e.g., heart muscle, lungs, overall body composition, skin) in clinical environments, in cooperation with Tartu University Hospital. Methods under investigation include electrical bio-impedance (EBI), electrical impedance tomography (EIT), magnetic induction, and other sensors with related signal processing. The research involves modelling and digital twinning to go beyond the state of the art, as well as developing advanced instrumentation to address classical challenges in improved calibration, accuracy, resolution, and frequency range. Basic image processing and machine learning will complement the developed measurement techniques.
Key Research Areas:
•Biomedical measurement electronics
•Electrical bio-impedance and impedance tomography
•Digital twinning for medical applications
•Signal processing for tissue characterization
Eligibility Requirements:
•Master’s degree in electronics engineering, mechatronics, hardware & software development
•Demonstrable skills in embedded systems development
•Basic understanding of image processing and machine learning is beneficial
•Good-level reading, writing, and analytical skills in English and programming languages (C/C++, Python, R)
•Estonian language adds value (if acquired by 2nd year)
Application Process:
Apply online at: https://taltech.glowbase.com/positions/946 The candidate should submit a research plan for the topic, including the overall research and data collection strategy.
Contact Information:
•Main supervisor: Dr. Olev Märtens (TalTech), olev.martens@taltech.ee
•Co-supervisor: Dr. Arno Ruusalepp (University of Tartu)
•Location: Ehitajate tee 5, 19086 Tallinn, Estonia
Application Deadline: June 30, 2025
Conclusion
These eight PhD positions represent exceptional opportunities for aspiring researchers to contribute to cutting-edge scientific advancements across various disciplines. Each position offers a unique research environment, comprehensive training, and the chance to work alongside leading experts in prestigious European institutions.
As application deadlines approach, interested candidates are encouraged to prepare their applications thoroughly, ensuring all required documents are submitted on time. The positions featured in this blog post are highly competitive, and early preparation is advisable.
For prospective PhD students, these opportunities provide not only academic and professional growth but also the chance to make meaningful contributions to their respective fields. Whether your interest lies in biotechnology, immunology, plant biology, electronics, or medical research, these positions offer pathways to develop specialized expertise and launch a successful research career.
Remember to carefully review the eligibility criteria and application requirements for each position before applying, and don’t hesitate to contact the supervisors directly if you have specific questions about the research projects or application process.
For more resources and support tailored to life science professionals, visit BioCareersHub.
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