The MITGEST project is excited to announce a new PhD position at baseclick GmbH, located in Neuried near Munich, Germany. MITGEST aims to educate a young generation of scientists with the scientific and transferable skills needed to tackle the many challenges of the highly complex and integrated roles in cellular metabolism and disease in which mitochondria participate. This opportunity is part of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) within the Horizon Europe programme.
Advancing mitochondrial gene therapy
The successful candidate will contribute to a cutting-edge research project focused on developing innovative strategies for delivering RNA and oligonucleotides into the mitochondrial matrix. Using baseclick’s proprietary click chemistry technology and additional conjugation methods, the research will explore how to effectively transport therapeutic molecules across mitochondrial membranes. The work involves designing and testing mitochondria-targeting peptides, lipid nanoparticles, and receptor-specific ligands to enhance targeted delivery in cellular models. The ultimate goal is to enable mitochondrial delivery of antisense oligonucleotides, paving the way for novel treatments of mitochondrial diseases.
International supervision and mobility
This PhD project will be supervised by Dr. Thomas Frischmuth at baseclick GmbH, with academic co-supervision provided by Dr. Carlo Vascotto (International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines, Warsaw, Poland) and Dr. Hans Spelbrink (Radboud Center of Mitochondrial Medicine, Nijmegen, The Netherlands). The position includes international secondments to both partner laboratories, offering a collaborative, interdisciplinary training experience within the MITGEST network.
Who should apply?
Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Biology, Biotechnology, Biochemistry, or a related discipline and must not already possess a doctoral degree. A strong background in cellular and molecular biology is required, while experience in mitochondrial or RNA biology is a significant advantage. Fluency in English is essential, both spoken and written. Candidates must also meet the MSCA mobility rule—they should not have lived or worked in Germany for more than 12 months during the three years immediately prior to the recruitment date.
The position is full-time and fixed-term, with a planned start date of 1 November 2025. The application deadline is 20 August 2025, 17:00 CEST.