We are looking for a motivated and organized PhD student (m/f/d) for a  Collaborative Doctoral Partnership (CDP) programme between the Respiratory Health & NanoMedicine Lab (AG Himly – Paris Lodron Universität Salzburg) and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission in Ispra, Italy.

The CDP builds on the Himly Lab’s established research in nanomaterial safety, respiratory health, immunotoxicology, and advanced materials assessment. The PhD candidate will work on the implementation, critical evaluation, and further development of the  EU Safe and Sustainable by Design (SSbD) Framework for innovation on advanced materials, integrating human safety with environmental, social, and economic sustainability. In close collaboration with the JRC, the candidate will apply SSbD methodologies to concrete case studies, identify methodological gaps and challenges, and contribute to the advancement of SSbD approaches for emerging advanced materials in support of EU policy development. The PhD project will be complemented with the development and application of new approach methodologies (NAMs), including in vitro and in silico tools, for hazard and exposure assessment of advanced materials in Himly labs at PLUS.

Most of this PhD project will be carried out at the JRC in Ispra, Italy. The PhD candidate will be formally enrolled at Paris Lodron University of Salzburg (PLUS) and integrated into its doctoral programme (DSP-BioMHD).

This PhD project is a part of the  Collaborative Doctoral Partnerships programme (CDP), an initiative by the Joint Research Centre to train a new generation of doctoral graduates on the science-policy interface.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates should, prior to the start of the employment contract with the JRC:

Candidates who are already enrolled in the doctoral study program with the HEI (PLUS) for fewer than 12 months can also be considered eligible.

The selected candidate will have no more than 6 months from the request for confirmation of interest in the position, to produce proof of enrolment in the doctoral study program.

Employment conditions

While employed at the JRC, the salary and benefits are those of a JRC grant holder Category 20, following the grant holder Rules. The annual gross salary will be around 45.000 euro and is subject to national income tax.

Selection process

PLUS will screen applications for eligibility and invites a long list of candidates for a first interview organised by PLUS. Based on the results of the first interview, the JRC invites 2 to 5 shortlisted candidates for a second and final interviews.

Minimal requirements:

  • MSc degree in material science, chemistry, toxicology, biomedical sciences, environmental sciences or related fields
  • Ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment – bridging material science and biological or safety-related questions
  • Solid foundational knowledge: toxicology, cell biology, environmental/biological interactions of materials
  • Good written and spoken English; High level of accuracy, data documentation and organization skills

Desirable additional qualifications:

  • Experience in in vitro toxicology or biological assays
  • Familiarity with nanosafety, risk assessment, or regulatory science, particularly in an EU context (SSbD framework, OECD, ECHA,…)
  • Basic knowledge in Life Cycle Assessment
  • Basic knowledge in data FAIRness (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable)
  • Data analysis and computational skills

We particularly welcome applications from candidates who:

  • Have an open and communicative personality and embrace teamwork
  • Enjoy interacting with international collaborators
  • Think creatively and critically

Start date: March 2026

Gross annual salary while employed at the JRC: EUR 45.000

Applications should be sent by e-Mail to the attention of:

Prof. Martin Himly

Application Deadline: February 16, 2026

Dept. of Biosciences and Medical Biology
Paris Lodron University Salzburg
Hellbrunnerstrasse 34
5020 Salzburg
Austria