The STEM-CORE Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme aims to explore strategies for developing stem cell therapies and biomaterials. As one of the doctoral candidates, you will receive comprehensive training to become a leading expert in regenerative medicine of the eye, through interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international research. Additionally, you will develop valuable transferable and soft skills, such as
management, leadership and communication.
Current vacancies:
András Dinnyés' team (Biotalentum)
2 vacancies within the STEM-CORE project:
- Doctoral Candidate - STEM-CORE Stem Cell Therapy Development for Corneal Epithelium Regeneration (Application deadline: 17 April 2026, 16.00)
- Doctoral Candidate (14) - STEM-CORE Stem Cell Therapy Development for Corneal Epithelium Regeneration (Application deadline: 17 April 2026, 16.00)
Stefano Ferrari's team (Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto ONLUS)
1 vacancy for a doctoral researcher/doctoral candidate within the STEM-CORE project:
- MSCA Doctoral researcher/doctoral candidate in corneal stem cell research (Application deadline: 30 April 2026)
Nora Szentmary's team (Universitat des Saarlandes)
1 vacancy for a doctoral researcher within the STEM-CORE project:
- MSCA Doctoral Researcher: Biomarkers in Aniridia-Associated Keratopathy (Application deadline: 12 April 2026)
Neil Lagali's team (Linköping University):
1 vacancy for a PhD candidate within the STEM-CORE project:
- PhD student in Medical Science (Application deadline: 23 March 2026)
Heli Skottman's team (Tampere University):
1 vacancy for a PhD candidate within the STEM-CORE project:
- MSCA Doctoral Researcher in corneal stem cell / Väitöskirjatutkija (sarveiskalvon kantasolututkimus) (Application deadline: 12 March 2026)
Paul Kouwer's team (Radboud University):
1 vacancy for a PhD candidate within the STEM-CORE project:
- PhD Position: Animal-free matrices for corneal applications (MSCA STEM-CORE) | Radboud University (Application deadline: 8 March 2026)
STEM-CORE selection procedure
- MSCA mobility rules: the recruited researchers must comply with the following condition: NOT have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date — unless as part of a compulsory national service or a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the
Geneva Convention.
- Screening: The eligibility of candidates will be verified by the prospective supervisors, the project manager, and their HR department. Candidates will be selected based on the following criteria: academic ability and experience with relevant technologies (curriculum vitae, course grades, and previous experience), scientific motivation (application letter) and potential to excel (reference letters). Candidates who are not selected for first-round interview will be notified by the prospective supervisors or their HR, without further motivation.
- First interview: Interviews attended by their prospective (co-)supervisors will be held via online platforms. In general, for the first-round online interview, we will select 3-6 candidates, with a balanced gender representation. Candidates who are not selected for the second interview round will be notified.
- Second interview: The second round of interviews could be held in person, where the candidates are invited to present their relevant experience and expertise, and, potentially, previous research. Two or three candidates selected from the first-round online interview will be further evaluated by their prospective (co-)supervisors, e.g., secondment supervisors. Colleagues of the prospective supervisor’s organizations may also be invited to the interview. Candidates who are not selected for the second interview round will be notified.
Final evaluation: The final selection of a candidate will be made by the prospective supervisor, with input from the co-supervisor and colleagues. The positive or negative selection outcome will be communicated to all applicants. The selected top candidate will first be invited to negotiate and sign a contract.
We will adopt an open, efficient and transparent recruitment procedure, conforming to the ‘European Charter of Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers’, and no discrimination on gender, race, age, nationality, and ethnic or social origin will be tolerated.
