Job Description

The Pharmaceutical Technology Research Group led by Prof. Dr. Paola Luciani at the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, of the University of Bern, Switzerland, is accepting applications for a PhD position in Drug Delivery. The position is available for four years and is financed through the European Research Council's ERC Synergy Grant funding scheme. The starting date is 01 April 2026.


Many modern biotherapeutic molecules, such as peptides and proteins, cannot reach their targets inside the cell because they cannot pass through the protective cell membrane. The ERC Synergy project "Covalent Chaotropic Membrane Transport for Biotherapeutic Delivery" (acronym: CARAMEL) will investigate a new, groundbreaking strategy to transport these impermeable molecules into cells, abandoning classical design principles in favor of a completely new approach. This will be achieved within the next 6 years through the use of superchaotropic boron clusters.



The CARAMEL team will be composed of several PhD students and postdoctoral fellows from four leading European universities: the University of Bern (Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences; Luciani lab), the University of Santiago de Compostela (Center for Research in Biological Chemistry and Molecular Materials (CiQUS), Spain; Montenegro lab), Constructor University (Bremen, Germany; Nau lab) and Marburg University (Marburg, Germany; Hantschel lab). Aim of the project, carried out in a highly multidisciplinary and international team in Bern, will be to work on the therapeutic proof-of-principle of superchaotropic boron clusters in cells and cell-derived material.


Tasks
Leveraging machine learning to predict the most efficient parameters for membrane transport Working on a doctoral project with the aim of efficiently introducing biotherapeutics into cancer cells using superchaotropic boron clusters and understanding membrane transport mechanisms investigating intercellular communication. Collaborative research in a multidisciplinary and international environment in the ERC project CARAMEL Collaboration on the preparation of scientific publications and presentations Project development, documentation, and communication with project partners

Requirements


University degree (MSc or equivalent) in a life science, chemical, biomedical engineering, medical or pharmaceutical field High level of motivation and good lab experience in cell biology, chemical biology, molecular biology, or pharmacy Hands-on experience with cell culture techniques Completion of machine learning and computational methods courses with demonstrated academic proficiency FELASA B certificate or willingness to obtain one in the first half of the PhD project will be considered an advantage Willingness to work in a multidisciplinary team Excellent teamwork and communication skills Very good English oral and writing skills

We offer


The successful candidate would have the opportunity to undertake potential secondments in the laboratories of the other ERC Synergy PIs (Santiago, Bremen and Marburg) to gain complementary skills and access specialised facilities, subject to the project plan and mutual agreement.

Contact: Prof. Paola Luciani

E-mail: paola.luciani@unibe.ch

To apply, interested candidates are expected to submit:

A motivation letter Curriculum vitae, including copies of academic transcripts and degree certificates Contact information of at least one referee.

Information on the selection procedure:

Deadline for applications: 1 February 2026 Evaluation criteria: academic performance, research experience, motivation, alignment with project goals. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview

www.karriere.unibe.ch
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