Doctoral Candidate positions
The 16 Doctoral Candidate positions in relation to host nation & host institutions are presented here.
Why apply?
SHIELD provides a unique opportunity for You as one of 16 highly talented Doctoral Candidates (DCs) to pursue your PhDs within a dynamic European network. This initiative connects universities and industry partners across 26 institutions in 11 countries: France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Starting date 1 March 2026 for all positions
The 16 Doctoral positions & projects are presented below, in alphabetical order by nation:
France
Host Institution: ANTHOGYR SAS (ANTHOGYR)
DC position 11: Evaluation of biomimetic geometries and nanostructured titanium surfaces to secure peri-implant tissues against infectious complications
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application Deadline: 31 Oct 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Paris)
Germany
KLINIKUM DER UNIVERSITÄT REGENSBURG (UHREG)
DC position 3: Establishment of in vivo chronic orthopedic device-related staphylococcal infection models
APPLY NOW - Application Deadline: 30 Nov 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)
DC position 9: Development of bacteriophage-based therapies for infection prevention in bone conduction hearing implants: optimizing delivery and efficacy
APPLY NOW - Application Deadline: 30 Nov 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin)
TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DRESDEN (TUD)
DC position 14: Evaluation of hydrogel-based bacteriophage formulations to combat oral biofilms on metallic implant surfaces
APPLY NOW - Application Deadline: 24 Nov 2025 - 23:59:59 (Berlin/Germany)
Ireland
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE DUBLIN(UCD)
DC position 5: Assessing the effect of antimicrobial peptides on biofilm formation on biopolymer-coated medical implants
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application Deadline 7 Nov 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Dublin)
ASHLAND SPECIALTIES IRELAND LIMITED (ASHLAND)
DC position 12: Design and development of advanced antimicrobial polymers for therapeutic applications
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application Deadline 31 Oct 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Dublin)
Italy
UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI TORINO (UNITO)
DC position 13: Design of advanced biocompatible Ti-based amorphous and crystalline alloys and development of antimicrobial surfaces via dealloying and plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO).
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application Deadline 15 Oct 2025 - 12:00 (Europe/Rome)
Norway
UNIVERSITETET I OSLO (UiO)
DC position 15: Development and validation of debridement technologies for infection control in dental implants
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application deadline: 7th Oct 2025
Spain
FUNDACIÓN PÚBLICA MIGUEL SERVET (FMS)
DC position 4: Phage-based solutions for treating and protecting prosthetic implants against bacterial recontamination
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application Deadline: - Application Deadline: 31 Oct 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)
UNIVERSITAT AUTÓNOMA DE BARCELONA (UAB)
DC position 7: Preventing bacterial infections in hearing implants using biocompatible materials with surface modifications: a cell culture study
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application Deadline: 8 Nov 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)
Sweden
GÖTEBORGS UNIVERSITET (UGOT)
DC position 1: Optimization of prophylaxis and infection management in hip and knee arthroplasty
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application deadline: 24th Oct 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Stockholm)
DC position 2: Advanced approaches to understanding biofilm-related infections in orthopedic implants: from in vitro to in vivo models
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application deadline: 24th Oct 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Stockholm)
DC position 10: Antimicrobial peptides as infection control strategies in hearing bone conduction implants
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application deadline: 24th Oct 2025 - 00:00 (Europe/Stockholm)
Switzerland
AO - FORSCHUNGSINSIUT DAVOS (ARI)
DC postion 16: Establishment of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection models in vitro and in zebrafish and response to combination treatments.
APPLY NOW - Application Deadline: 10 Dec 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Zürich)
United Kingdom
THE CHANCELLOR MASTERS AND SCHOLARS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (UCAM)
DC position 8: Production and characterisation of conformable antibacterial polymers
APPLICATION IS CLOSED
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (UoB)
DC position 6: Molecular and tissue determinants of adverse tissue outcomes in hearing implants
APPLICATION IS CLOSED - Application Deadline 16 Oct 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/London)
