PhD Position in Phenotypic Drug Discovery for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
Join the MSCA Doctoral Network PANDORA to discover novel drug mechanisms for AMD through cutting-edge stem cell and high-content imaging research.
Best for:Best for candidates with a strong background in stem cell biology, cell culture, or biomedical research, and an interest in translational medicine and high-content imaging.
Overview
This PhD position is part of the **MSCA Doctoral Network PANDORA**, focused on uncovering pathomechanisms and optimizing drug treatments for age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The successful candidate will develop disease-relevant cellular models, particularly using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) differentiated into retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, to study oxidative stress and complement system dysfunction. The project combines high-throughput compound screening, high-content imaging, and computational analysis to identify and validate protective compounds against oxidative stress. The work spans stem cell biology, retinal disease modeling, phenotypic drug discovery, and computational biology, offering interdisciplinary training within an international network.
What you'll do
- Develop and characterize disease-relevant cellular models using human iPSCs differentiated into retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.
- Establish high-throughput screening assays to identify compounds protective against oxidative stress and complement-associated damage in RPE cells.
- Perform high-content imaging and Cell Painting to generate multiparametric morphological profiles of cellular responses to oxidative stress and compound treatments.
- Analyze high-dimensional imaging datasets using computational and bioinformatic approaches, including dimensionality reduction and phenotypic clustering.
- Validate promising compounds through concentration-response studies and mechanistic characterization in advanced genetic models of AMD.
- Collaborate with an interdisciplinary network to integrate findings into the broader PANDORA research framework.
Requirements
Degree required: Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as biomedical sciences, cell biology, pharmacology, or related disciplines.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English; excellent proficiency required
Instruction: English
- Experience with human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) culture and differentiation.
- Proficiency in mammalian cell culture and oxidative stress model development.
- Familiarity with high-content imaging techniques and Cell Painting methodology.
- Basic knowledge of bioinformatic and statistical analysis of high-dimensional datasets.
- Strong laboratory skills in molecular and biochemical assays.
- Open to EU and non-EU candidates under MSCA eligibility rules (e.g., mobility rule, no prior PhD).
- Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Spain for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the recruitment date.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-11-15 (Europe/Madrid)
Applicants must submit their CV, a cover letter, a research statement, and academic transcripts via email to the provided MSCA PANDORA contact. Ensure your application includes a clear description of your research interests and how they align with the project goals. Only electronic submissions will be considered.
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Cover letter
- Research statement or project proposal
- Academic transcripts (BSc and MSc)
- Proof of English proficiency (if applicable)
Contact
Rosario Fernandez· Contact for MSCA PANDORA PhD applications
Create a free profile to unlock your personal match score, the full requirements, funding details and how to apply — in English or Persian.