James Watt School of Engineering

INTRABRAIN - a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network

Sensitive Hydrogels for Therapeutic Delivery

Project: INTRABRAIN - a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network

Supervisors: Dr. Roghaieh Parvizi (Primary), Professor Hadi Heidari (Secondary)

Funding Duration: 3 Years (Starting August 2026)

To conduct advanced research within the INTRABRAIN network focused on developing and refining redox-sensitive hydrogel systems for the targeted delivery of viral vectors and immunomodulatory reagents to treat aggressive malignancies. The role involves optimizing hydrogel synthesis for scalable production and demonstrating the therapeutic advantages of high-capacity payload carriers in modulating the tumour microenvironment.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will investigate and refine the synthesis of various hydrogels, such as PLGA, alginate, to create sensitive delivery systems capable of high-capacity payload delivery of therapeutic agents. This role involves optimizing key parameters including crosslinking density, degradation rates, and encapsulation efficiency, while gaining hands-on experience with the scale-up of hydrogel production to ensure processes are robust and reproducible for potential clinical applications. The appointee will perform the synthesis and rigorous characterization of nanoparticle (NP) systems, potentially integrating polymeric components to form hybrid NPs that offer tuneable release kinetics to mitigate risks of unsustainable release. Furthermore, the doctoral candidate will conduct in vitro testing to evaluate biocompatibility, cytotoxicity, and immune-stimulating effects, alongside in vivo testing in relevant models to validate therapeutic efficacy and safety. Finally, the postholder will participate in network-wide training on neurotechnologies for treatment, including a planned 3-month secondment to integrate delivery systems with advanced imaging and therapeutic monitoring techniques.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Qualifications: A 2:1 Honours degree or Master’s degree in Biomedical Engineering, Materials Science, Chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Knowledge: Strong understanding of hydrogel chemistry, drug delivery systems, and redox-responsive materials. Familiarity with immunotherapy or virology is advantageous.
• Skills: Proficiency in laboratory synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and biological assays (in vitro/in vivo).

Eligibility requirements

In compliance with MSCA eligibility rules, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the recruitment date. Full details are provided below:

• Doctoral Candidate requirement: The applicant must not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the first day of the employment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet been awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible.
• Mobility rule:At the time of recruitment by the recruiting beneficiary, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g., work and studies) in the country of their recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to their recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.
• English language: Network fellows (DCs) must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.

Supporting documents

All candidates should provide the following information:

• Application form Application form
• Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
• Cover letter (max 1 page)
• Certificate of master’s degree (or equivalent) with transcript of records
• Proof of English proficiency.
• Recommendation letters from 2 previous supervisors or employers
• List of publications, if applicable
• Manuscript of listed publication, if applicable
• Work/research experience certificates, if applicable

Please find details on how to apply at University of Glasgow - Postgraduate study - Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z - Electronics & Nanoscale Engineering

 

Implantable Microfluidic Devices for Tumor Therapy

Project: INTRABRAIN - a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network

Supervisors: Dr. Roghaieh Parvizi (Primary), Professor Hadi Heidari (Secondary)

Funding Duration: 3 Years (Starting August 2026)

To design and develop a novel implantable device featuring microfluidic channels capable of controlled, repeated dosing of viral therapies. The role aims to enhance localized immune activation and therapeutic efficacy by overcoming the limitations of single-dose delivery methods, comparing this novel approach against intranasal delivery strategies.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will design and fabricate implantable devices utilizing microfluidic channels to enable the precise, repeated dosing of therapeutic agents directly to the target site. Central to this role is the integration of advanced microfluidics and microelectronics to enhance injection precision and reliability, thereby mitigating the scientific risks associated with inaccurate dosing or device failure. The appointee will develop microfluidic platforms that facilitate real-time monitoring of injection accuracy and changes within the tumour microenvironment during therapy. Furthermore, the role requires a rigorous assessment of device material biocompatibility and the refinement of injection mechanisms to ensure safe, repeated administration without adverse tissue reactions. In parallel, the doctoral candidate will investigate biodistribution and clearance profiles to track vector delivery, comparing therapeutic outcomes against alternative delivery methods. Finally, the postholder will work closely with network partners to validate the device's ability to reduce off-target effects and sustain therapeutic delivery.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Qualifications: A 2:1 Honours degree or Master’s degree in Microelectronics, Mechanical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field.
• Knowledge: Understanding of microfluidics, MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems), and implantable medical devices. Knowledge of viral therapy or oncology is desirable.
• Skills: Experience in device fabrication, microfluidic circuit design, and testing of biomedical devices.

Eligibility requirements

In compliance with MSCA eligibility rules, candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to the recruitment date. Full details are provided below:

• Doctoral Candidate requirement: The applicant must not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the first day of the employment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet been awarded the doctoral degree are not eligible.
• Mobility rule:At the time of recruitment by the recruiting beneficiary, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (e.g., work and studies) in the country of their recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately prior to their recruitment. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not considered.
• English language: Network fellows (DCs) must demonstrate that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.

Supporting documents

All candidates should provide the following information:

• Application form Application form
• Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages)
• Cover letter (max 1 page)
• Certificate of master’s degree (or equivalent) with transcript of records
• Proof of English proficiency.
• Recommendation letters from 2 previous supervisors or employers
• List of publications, if applicable
• Manuscript of listed publication, if applicable
• Work/research experience certificates, if applicable

Please find details on how to apply at University of Glasgow - Postgraduate study - Postgraduate research opportunities A-Z - Electronics & Nanoscale Engineering

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First published: 29 April 2026