Vacancies

How to apply:

Candidates should apply with the PlasmACT DN application form
available here and the supporting documents as listed in the application form as a single pdf file.

Submitted applications will be evaluated in accordance with the European Code of Conduct for Recruitment (https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/charter/code). Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews 4 weeks after deadline and will be informed of the outcome of the selection process.

Candidates interested in this position must also apply for the PhD programme. Employment will be conditional upon acceptance into the programme.

If you have any questions, please contact the supervisor of the PhD position directly or send an email to info@plasmact.eu.

DC1: Oxidation-driven processes in human keratinocytes analyzed by mass spectrometry

The project assesses the biochemistry aspects of gas plasma treatment in actinic keratosis. This includes the analysis of protein expression and post-translational modifications, including oxidative modifications, of in vitro cultured cells obtained by this DC as well as specimens from animal experiments and patients obtained by other PlasmACT DCs. The research aspects potentially extend to immunopeptidomics analysis. Technically, the main method to be employed is ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, and the project tasks the entire mass spectrometry workflow from sample generation, sample preparation, sample acquisition, and sample analysis. In addition, two secondments to an academic and industrial partner institution are already planned to broaden the network and differentiate the student’s skills and knowledge. Furthermore, the project provides ample opportunities for professional exchange and networking with other academic and industrial partners.

Requirements:

  • Master of Science in Biochemistry or Master of Engineering
  • Excellent English language skills
  • Mass spectrometry analysis, the main type of experiment in this project, requires a strong affinity to computer processes, software operation, and large data handling. Programming skills are an asset but are not required.

DC2: Cell biology and inflammation in plasma-treated diseased keratinocytes

The project assesses cell biology aspects of gas plasma treatment in actinic keratosis, mainly in several cell lines investigated in vitro. This includes the analysis of various parameters linked to cell viability and metabolism, and investigating the specific mode of cell death following gas plasma exposure. For this, quantitative microscopy based on high-content imaging as well as multi-color flow cytometry are utilized next to molecular biology tools. In addition, hallmarks of inflammation damage-associated molecular patterns that can potentially affect immune cells are investigated. This project will aid in cell biology and inflammatory tissue analysis obtained from other PlasmACT DCs. In addition, two secondments to an academic and industrial partner institution are already planned to broaden the network and differentiate the student’s skills and knowledge. Furthermore, the project provides ample opportunities for professional exchange and networking with other academic and industrial partners.

Requirements:

  • Master of Science in Biology or similar
  • Excellent English language skills
  • Strong communication skills, as acquiring know-how on multiple methods from team members is required to fulfill the project goals.

DC3: Multijet cold plasma for medical applications: physical and electrical characterization, optimization and safety assessment

The PhD candidate will take care of the plasma jet’s physical and electrical characterization, optimization, and safety evaluation. The student will compare different configurations of plasma jet and multijet reactors. The student will learn to use an ample variety of instruments and techniques such as iCCD cameras, Schlieren, optical emission and absorption spectroscopy, electrical high voltage measurements, infrared cameras. The data and insight acquired by the student will contribute to the improvement of the multi-jet technology and to the final development of a medical device based on this. The PhD student will also acquire knowledge on EU medical devices guidelines with a special focus on novel international guidelines for plasma medical devices. In addition, two secondments to an academic and industrial partner institution are already planned to broaden the network and differentiate the student’s skills and knowledge. Furthermore, the project provides ample opportunities for professional exchange and networking with other academic and industrial partners. At the end of the project the PhD student will likely have acquired the following competences:

  • Research and Development methodology
  • Advanced knowledge in cold plasma physics
  • Knowledge in medical devices international standards
  • Presentation and reporting skills
  • European network of contacts both in the academic and industrial sector

Requirements:

  • The GREMI laboratory is a Zone à Regime Restrictif (ZRR). Applicants applying for a position in the GREMI laboratory must obtain a security clearance issued by the French Ministry of Defense in order to work there. Therefore, applicants must submit their application form together with a completed ZRR application including a scan of their identity card/passport and a CV
    →  Download ZZR for DC3
  • Master of Science degree in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Electrical/Energy/Mechanical/Automation Engineering
  • Previous experience in laboratory research (ex. internship, project, etc…) is required.
  • Experience/skills in one of the following domain are appreciated:
  • Experience in atmospheric pressure plasma
  • Programming skills (ie. Matlab and Phyton)
  • Knowledge in image analysis
  • Skills in electrical measurements
  • Skills in 3D design

DC4: Study and optimization of a plasma jet device interacting with biological tissues for medical applications

The PhD candidate will study and optimize the effect of different gas composition on the plasma jet devices operation as well study the interaction between plasma and biological tissues. The student will implement diagnostic system for the in situ characterization of plasma and the monitoring of plasma delivery. The student will learn to use an ample variety of instruments and techniques such as iCCD cameras, Schlieren, optical emission and absorption spectroscopy, electrical high voltage measurements, infrared cameras, gas and liquid chemical characterization. The student will be guided in the implementation of an automatic acquisition system and in the use of analysis methods based on Artificial Intelligence.

The data and insight acquired by the student will create new knowledge on the plasma-tissue interaction and contribute to improve plasma medical devices control strategies and protocol optimization. In addition, two secondments to an academic and industrial partner institution are already planned to broaden the network and differentiate the student’s skills and knowledge. Furthermore, the project provides ample opportunities for professional exchange and networking with other academic and industrial partners.

At the end of the project, the PhD student will likely have acquired the following competences:

  • Research and Development methodology
  • Advanced knowledge in cold plasma physics
  • Knowledge in skin anatomy
  • Presentation and reporting skills
  • European network of contacts both in the academic and industrial sector

Requirements:

  • The GREMI laboratory is a Zone à Regime Restrictif (ZRR). Applicants applying for a position in the GREMI laboratory must obtain a security clearance issued by the French Ministry of Defense in order to work there. Therefore, applicants must submit their application form together with a completed ZRR application including a scan of their identity card/passport and a CV
      Download ZZR for DC4
  • Master of Science degree in the fields of Physics, Chemistry, Electrical/Energy/Mechanical/Automation Engineering
  • Previous experience in laboratory research (ex. internship, project, etc…) is required.
  • Experience/skills in one of the following domain are appreciated:
  • Experience in atmospheric pressure plasma
  • Programming skills (ie. Matlab and Phyton)
  • Knowledge in image analysis
  • Skills in electrical measurements
  • Skills in 3D design

DC5: The diagnostics of the plasma in interaction with targets relevant for medicine

This project will focus on the diagnostics of the plasma in interaction with targets relevant for the PlasmACT. One of the goals is to measure electric fields as close as possible to the target. However, other diagnosticswill be employed to gather supporting data. In addition, two secondments to an academic and industrial partner institution are already planned to broaden the network and differentiate the student’s skills and knowledge. Furthermore, the project provides ample opportunities for professional exchange and networking with other academic and industrial partners.

Requirements:

  • Master of Science, preferably in Physics
  • Excellent English language skills
  • Strong communication skills, ability to work in a team

DC6: Plasma safety and effects on human patient samples and DNA-repair mechanisms

The primary objective of this subproject is to test the biological safety of a cold plasma device for the use against actinic keratosis. This testing will be performed at different levels of complexity including cell culture models, in vivo rodent animal models, as well as patient-derived normal skin or actinic keratosis lesions (ex vivo). Cytotoxicity, mutagenicity, DNA-damage, and long-term adverse effects of the treatment will be assessed using cell biology and molecular biology assays as well as state-of-the-art high content imaging microscopy. Given the clinical research environment, the final aim is to support a study with a small volunteer cohort on tolerability aspects of the cold plasma device. In addition, two secondments to an academic and industrial partner institution are already planned to broaden the network and differentiate the student’s skills and knowledge. Furthermore, the project provides ample opportunities for professional exchange and networking with other academic and industrial partners.

Requirements:

  • Master of Science in Biology, Molecular Medicine, Biomedicine, Biochemistry or a related field
  • Excellent English language skills
  • Strong communication skills, ability to work in a team

DC7: Modeling the interaction of plasma species with biomolecules, by molecular dynamics, fluid dynamics and chemical kinetics simulations

The main objective of this PhD project is to study the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) by a plasma jet and their interaction with membrane lipids relevant to actinic keratosis, employing fluid dynamics, chemical kinetics, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. First, combined fluid dynamics and chemical kinetics modeling will give information on the important RONS generated. Next, reactive MD simulations will be performed to model the lipids‘ chemical reactions (oxidation, modification) upon interaction with important RONS, such as H2O2, OH, O, NO, and ONOO-. Because of the high computational cost, these simulations can only be performed on a short timescale (nanoseconds) with small model systems. This model will identify the critical reactive species that react with the biomolecules and the formed lipid peroxidation products. Subsequently, the longer-timescale behavior of the membrane lipids will be investigated with non-reactive MD simulations. These simulations do not allow bond breaking and formation and are thus less computationally intensive; therefore, they allow larger model systems and longer timescales. These simulations will inform the conformational changes of biomolecules and eventual membrane pore formation, allowing plasma-derived RONS to enter the cell. In addition, the free energy profiles of the most important RONS across the membrane will be calculated by umbrella sampling to gain insight into how these RONS can enter the cell. Calculations will be performed for different RONS and lipid molecules and compared with the experiments performed at INP-Greifswald. Specifically, EPR spectroscopy using spin probe-labeled lipids and spin probes confined in model lipid structures (liposomes, giant unilamellar vesicles) will be performed to observe the RONS distribution in lipid systems and the RONS migration into or through membranes. The MD simulation outcome will be further verified by collecting plasma-treated lipids and performing high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis for identification, quantification, and structure elucidation. The compiled information will facilitate improvements in the MD simulation input and identification of relevant plasma-derived species. In addition, two secondments to an academic and industrial partner institution are already planned to broaden the network and differentiate the student’s skills and knowledge. Furthermore, the project provides ample opportunities for professional exchange and networking with other academic and industrial partners.

Requirements:

  • Master of Science in Chemistry, Physics, Biochemistry, Computational Biology, Biomedical or Chemical Engineering
  • Experience with fluid dynamics or molecular dynamics simulations for biomolecules
  • Excellent English language skills
  • Strong communication skills, ability to work in a team

DC8: Immunobiology of actinic keratosis following plasma treatment

The aim of this PhD project is to understand how much of the plasma effect on actinic keratosis malignant keratinocytes can be attributed to cells of the immune system. Actinic keratosis cells will be investigated for their potential to activate immune cells after exposure to plasma generated with the multijet technology. Cell culture experiments will be performed and immune cell activation will be measured using flow cytometry amongst other techniques. Markers of activation or inhibition will be investigated for their presence on plasma-treated skin cells. In addition, different types of cell death will be studied. Several plasma conditions, expression markers, and immune cell subpopulations will be tested. In addition, the combination of plasma treatment with standard-of-care treatment for actinic keratosis will be evaluated to investigate plasma treatment as an adjuvant treatment option. In addition, two secondments to an academic and industrial partner institution are already planned to broaden the network and differentiate the student’s skills and knowledge. Furthermore, the project provides ample opportunities for professional exchange and networking with other academic and industrial partners.

Requirements:

  • Master in Biomedical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Biology, Engineering, Chemistry or Physics
  • Knowledge on immunology, experience with sterile cell culture and immuno-assays
  • Excellent English language skills
  • Strong communication skills, ability to work in a team
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