RiboPro is hiring!

PhD position in the MSCA-DN project CanGoNano “Synthesis and optimization of mRNA and Glyco-Lipid NanoParticles for targeted mRNA delivery” 

CanGoNano is a European Training Network funded in the framework of HORIZON Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN), focusing on glyconanomaterials as precision tools to unveil key insights on the triggering of the antigen presenting cells against cancer using antigenic peptides and mRNAs encoding for these peptides.

Within CanGoNano, Doctoral Candidates (DCs) will be equipped with a thorough multifaceted knowledge of the potential of glycoscience in cancer immunotherapy and the necessary transferable skills.

CanGoNano will provide an international, intersectoral and interdisciplinary educational program, according to the EU Principles for Innovative Doctoral Training. This will put DCs in an advantageous position for job opportunities in both academia and industry.

As part of the CanGoNano network RiboPro is hiring a Doctoral Candidate for the (DC6) PROJECT with focus on:  
Synthesis and optimization of mRNA and Glyco-Lipid NanoParticles for targeted mRNA delivery

• Design, enzymatic synthesis, and characterization of high-quality mRNAs encoding for the antigenic peptides;
• Use of microfluidic mixing to produce size-defined LNPs;
• Set up of the strategies for the CuAAC functionalization of LNPs with alkyne-tagged carbohydrate fragments/fluorescent probes, and for mRNA encapsulation;
• Set up of LNP-mRNA formulated with adjuvants;
• Training in enzymatic synthesis, microfluidics, bionanotechnology, carbohydrate & click chemistry, GNM formulation and anti-cancer activity.

The position will be supervised by Alexander H van Asbeck (RiboPro, NL) and Co-supervised by Roland Brock (Stichting Radboud Universitair Medisch Centrum, NL) and Carmen Alvarez-Dominguez (Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, ES).

Skills/Qualifications 

• Master degree in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Nanomedicine and/or Nanomaterial Science.
• Practical experience in molecular biology and molecular biology characterization techniques.
• Preferred but not mandatory experience with nanoparticle formulations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Good level of English proficiency (understood, spoken and written).
• Flexible, pro-active and team spirit

Please see the Marie Curie Doctoral Networks rules and requirements at: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-networks

𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴:
CanGoNano A training network on glyconanomaterials as precision tools to unveil key insights on the triggering of the immune response against cancer 101226412 (European Commission – Horizon Europe)

Our offer 
Each recruited Doctoral Candidate will be offered a temporary gross research fellowship.

• Duration: 36 months, starting October/November 2026.
• Fulltime position
• Your salary and other compensation will be in accordance with the MSCA rules. “Applicable Unit Contributions” (page 118 and following) of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2025 for MSCA-DN actions): https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/…- call/2023-2024/wp-2-msca-actions_horizon-2023-2024_en.pdf
• At RiboPro you will be working in a fast-growing start-up/scale-up, in an enthusiastic, dynamic, talented, multi-interdisciplinary and multi-national team.
• You will be enrolled in the PhD School enrolment: Stichting Radboud Universitair Medisch Centrum https://www.radboudumc.nl/en/research/research-groups/biochemistry-of-integrative-systems
• Planned secondments include: 1. University of Milan (IT), L. Lay, (II year, 2M), training on the synthesis of carbohydrate fragments for lectin targeting; 2. Universidad Internacional de La Rioja (ES), C. Alvarez, (II year, 3M), training on the anti-cancer capacity of GNM in vivo.

Learn more at the position at https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/424664

Applications must be submitted through: www.cangonano.eu 

About RiboPro:
At RiboPro, we are not just making mRNA medicines; we are reimagining how they are built. Based in the heart of the Dutch Life Sciences corridor in Oss, RiboPro is a high-growth biotech innovator dedicated to democratizing mRNA technology.
Our mission is twofold: we operate a world-class facility producing custom mRNA constructs and formulations, and we empower the global scientific community through our proprietary “RiboFlux” continuous-flow manufacturing systems. By reducing the transition time from academic discovery to clinical application, these new machines are providing the infrastructure for the next generation of pandemic response, personalized medicine and medicine in general.