Magnetic ultra-soft untethered microrobots for the olfactory pathway transfer - PhD Position (f/m/x)
Pubblicato il 21-08-2026 - University of Mons in Italia
pBioRobotics Institute of the Scuola Superiore Di Studi Universitari E Di Perfezionamento SantAnna ( /ppOrganisation/Company BioRobotics Institute of the Scuola Superiore Di Studi Universitari E Di Perfezionamento SantAnna ( Research Field Chemistry Engineering Technology Medical sciences Physics Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 31 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Brussels) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 38 Offer Starting Date 15 Sep 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Reference Number EU HORIZON-MSCA-2025-DN-01-01 # Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No /ph3Offer Description /h3pThis project takes place within the Marie Curie Doctoral Network on Soft Active Matter Microrobots for Medicine (SAM3). This doctoral network of 12 PhD candidates aims at exploring the ear-nose-throat area from a microrobotics perspective. Thanks to active matter and small scale microrobotics engineering, three specific goals are targeted: (1) access the middle ear through the Eustachian tube; (2) access the olfactory clefts for mucosal biopsy; (3) access the skull cavity through the nose and the cribble plate for cerebrospinal fluid biopsy. /ppThis specific PhD proposal onMagnetic ultra-soft untethered microrobots for the olfactory pathway transfer is part of the second endoscopic area namely olfactory clefts. The goal of the PhD is the magnetic transfer of ultra-soft untethered microrobots through complex environments like the olfactory foramina in the cribriform plate: the technology could enable the access of untethered microrobots to the brain, bypassing the blood-brain barrier, for innovative diagnostic (biopsy) and therapeutic (drug delivery) procedures. /ppThe expected results are further set as follows:The expected results are: 1) strongUltra-soft untethered microrobots based on magnetic matter /strong with optimised design and preparation to enhance yield, reproducibility and compliance. 2) strongControl and actuation strategies for magnetic transfer /strong of ultra-soft microrobots through complex environments. 3)
strongDemonstration of magnetic transfer of ultra-soft untethered microrobots /strongthrough phantoms of the olfactory foramina within a human cranium-like phantom: preliminary validation in plastic phantoms, final validation in cell-laden phantoms. /ppWe are seeking talented and enthusiastic students to perform a PhD, with a solid background in biomedical engineering, material science/engineering or physics . /ppHe/she will be registered within Doctoral School of Scuola Superiore Di Studi Universitari E Di Perfezionamento SantAnna with Prof. S. PALAGI as supervisor and Prof. V. IACOVACCI as co-supervisor. /ppThe candidate should have good command of spoken and written English, and Italian, German, Dutch or French skills are of course an asset. /ppCandidates are invited to look at other positions and can apply to several positions. /ph3Where to apply /h3pE-mail /ph3Requirements /h3pResearch Field Engineering Education Level Master Degree or equivalent /ppResearch Field Chemistry Education Level Master Degree or equivalent /ppSkills/Qualifications /pulliBackground in biomedical engineering, material science/engineering, physics, or biotechnologies /liliAbility for research management, dissemination, communication with colleagues and supervisors, strong teamwork spirit, creativity, problem solving and attention to safety. /li /ulSpecific RequirementsulliNot having resided in Italy for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date and not having carried out main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy this period.
/lililess than 5 years of career at the recruitment date and not having a doctoral degree; /liliResearch experience in the academic or in the industrial sector will be considered /li /ulLanguages FRENCH Level BasicpLanguages ENGLISH Level Excellent /ppLanguages ITALIAN Level Good /ppLanguages DUTCH Level Basic /ppLanguages GERMAN Level Basic /ppResearch Field ChemistryEngineering Years of Research Experience 1 - 4 /ph3Additional Information /h3pThe candidate will be employed as an Early Stage Researcher according to MSCA DN regulations, which offer excellent employment conditions including a high base salary and many additional benefits such as allowances for travel, mobility and family. The family allowance is allocated if demonstrated at the time of the recruitment. /ppEligibility criteria /ppGeneral eligibility criteria of MSCA; Specific: see above. /ppWe will appoint 1 PhD student on this project, related to 11 other positions open in the SAM3 EU network. /ppTwelves job vacancies are opened for this doctoral network, across three main scientific fields. /ppCandidates are invited to look at other positions; they can apply to several positions. /ppSelection process /ppDuring the job posting, the candidates will have the opportunity to apply online on one or several individual projects, the applications must be filed on-line along with the following supporting documents: a) a digital copy with all academic certificates and the respective official transcription in English; b) a detailed CV and a motivation letter in English; c) 2 letters of recommendation. /ppAdditional comments /ppSAM3 consortium is committed to fostering excellence in research and research training and to guaranteeing equal opportunities for all candidates during the recruitment. In this respect, this recruitment Call is fully aligned with the emEC Code of Conduct. /emAll partners pledge to uphold the principles outlined in the European Code of Research Integrity during the recruitment. In this regard, the SAM3 consortium supports the principle that excellence and diversity are compatible and complementary and recognizes that good equity practices ensure access to the largest possible pool of qualified individuals. The SAM3 consortium will particularly encourage women, members of visible and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities to apply. /ppNumber of offers available 1 Company/Institute BioRobotics Institute of the Scuola Superiore Di Studi Universitari E Di Perfezionamento SantAnna ( Country Italy City Pise Geofield /p #J-18808-Ljbffr