The application is closed - Doctoral Candidate 4 - Navarrabiomed (FMS), Spain

This candidate and project will explore the use of bacteriophages as a prophylactic approach  during the two-stage revision process for infected prostheses. The project involves designing and testing phage therapies that target specific bacteria using synthetic phages incorporating elements such as CRISPR encapsulated in pathogenic islands. In the second stage, various phage administration methods will be evaluated, such as hydrogels and coatings, with the aim of improving the efficiency of phages in treating infections associated with medical implants. 

The application is closed - Application Deadline: 31 Oct 2025 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Learn more about this position at EURAWESS 

• More information at SHIELD's web page about Research Project 4

Research activities include:

• Design and generate recombinant phages with improved properties for the treatment of infections caused by S. aureus.
• Develop a protocol for preparing a hydrogel containing bacteriophages active against the bacteria causing the infection.
• Evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of phage-based coatings for prostheses prior to reimplantation, ensuring that the bacteriophages in the coating specifically target the bacteria responsible for the infection.
• Implementation of an in vivo model in rats to study the efficacy of a new phage treatment

Training and mobility:

• Research secondments at SHIELD partner institutions:
  • UAB (SPAIN)
  • ARI (Switzerland)

Participation in specialised training workshops and international conferences.

This PhD position is part of the European Doctoral Network “SHIELD” (Strategies for Healing Implant-associated infections and Enhancing Longevity in Devices), led by the University of Gothenburg. 

SHIELD offers an exciting opportunity for 16 early-career researchers to contribute to transforming the management of infections associated with medical implants. Focused on addressing the challenges posed by implant-associated infections (IAIs), SHIELD aims to deepen our understanding of IAI mechanisms and develop innovative antibacterial biomaterials to improve patient outcomes.