Learning From Animals How To Regenerate:
multidisciplinary training programme in regenerative biology

The REGENERATE-IT Network is funded by the European Union and is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) programme. The network brings together a full spectrum of disciplines – from fundamental to applied research – to train the next generation of researchers in regenerative biology and adjacent fields.

While the natural regenerative ability of humans is limited, some animals have remarkable regenerative capacity. By identifying the common biological principles underlying the regenerative processes in these different animal models, we can learn a great deal on how to improve regenerative interventions in humans. Currently, regenerative animal models are studied in isolation, preventing the discovery of such shared mechanisms, and the REGENERATE-IT Network fills this gap.

OUR NETWORK

MEET THE CONSORTIUM

12

Open PhD Positions

12

Research Institutes

10

European Countries

14

Training Partners


All projects are now Closed for Applications!

Are you interested in regenerative biology? Check out our 12 fully funded PhD positions to work with leading European researchers to advance the frontiers of regenerative biology and medicine. You can find a list of all available projects and corresponding links to submit applications on the Apply page.

The REGENERATE-IT Doctoral Network, funded by the Marie-Sklodowska-Curie Action(MSCA), brings together a full spectrum of disciplines – from fundamental to applied research – to train the next generation of researchers in regenerative biology and adjacent fields. It is a consortium of high-profile researchers from various universities, research institutions, and companies spanning 12 academic institutions in 10 European countries (the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Austria, Sweden, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Switzerland, and the UK).

We offer exceptional opportunities for promising young students to work on cutting-edge topics in regenerative biology and medicine to address the questions of how cell types and tissues are formed during regeneration and how this can be controlled and manipulated.

Keywords:  Regenerative biology and medicine, tissue and organ regeneration, highly regenerative animal models (flatworms, cnidarians, crustaceans, frogs, salamanders, and zebrafish), stem cells, single-cell sequencing, live imaging.

Career Stage: Doctoral Candidates (DCs). These are 3-year PhD positions open for graduated students (Master or equivalent).

We are looking for highly motivated, perseverant, and creative individuals with strong analytical and problem-solving skills willing to leave their footprint on science. Candidates should hold an MSc (or equivalent) in biological sciences obtained within the last 3 years and have good knowledge of cellular and molecular biology.

THE CANDIDATES WE ARE LOOKING FOR SHOULD

  • Have a deep interest in regenerative biology
  • Be passionate about doing research and have or be willing to develop the skills to communicate this passion with other scientists and the general public.
  • Have relevant skills and experiences, and a strong interest in both theoretical and applied science.
  • Welcome the opportunity to conduct research abroad and to work within an international and multidisciplinary team.
  • Hold an MSc (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (which can be, but is not limited to biology, biomedical engineering, genetics, medicine, neuroscience, (bio)physics).
  • Have excellent English speaking and writing skills.

Be an eligible candidate according to the eligibility conditions indicated below.

Applicants need to fully respect three eligibility criteria:

  1. Supported researchers must be Doctoral Candidates (DC), i.e., not already in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
  2. Recruited researchers can be of any nationality and must undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. In particular, at the time of selection by the host organization, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.
  3. The candidates’ ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English should be sufficiently high for them to derive the full benefit from the network training.

Successful candidates will receive an attractive salary following the MSCA regulations for doctoral candidates. The exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment and is dependent on the host country (to allow for the difference in the cost of living in different EU Member States). The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and a family allowance (if the recruited doctoral candidate has or acquires family obligations during the duration of the fellowship). The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all doctoral candidates will benefit from further training, which includes internships/secondments in other laboratories, a variety of training courses (including transferable skills), and active participation in workshops and conferences.

Candidates should apply electronically (using the link indicated in the PhD position(s) of their interest) for their preferred project.

You can find a list of all available projects and corresponding links to submit applications on the Apply page.

Candidates should provide the following documents.

  1. a detailed CV, including information on the candidate’s proficiency in English
  2. a motivation letter
  3. additional documents that could help to evaluate the applicants’ education/training (specified in the application portal of each institution)

The deadline for applications is the 31st of March 2023.

The selected (short-listed) candidates will be

  • Asked to provide two references, and
  • Invited for an interview by the supervisors.

The final decision on whom to recruit will be made by the selection committee before 1st May 2023.

The selected DCs are to start their research before 1st November 2023.

Candidates may submit applications to different labs (up to 3 projects) within the network.