PhD position - Characterization of Aβ-lipid complexes (MSCA DN - LipAgg)

DC1 - LipAgg Doctoral Network project

The LipAgg project seeks to unravel the structural complexities of amyloid protein-lipid aggregates and investigate their role in pathological aggregation, cellular toxicity, and intercellular spread. Focusing on key human amyloid proteins —amylin (IAPP), amyloid beta (Aβ), and α-synuclein (αS)—linked to type 2 diabetes (T2D), Alzheimer's disease (AD), and Parkinson’s disease (PD), respectively, the project builds on recent discoveries made by the consortium. These findings highlight the critical role of free lipids in membrane damage through the formation of stable lipid-amyloidogenic protein complexes, leading to the lipid-chaperone hypothesis.

LipAgg Doctoral Network program

The selected PhD candidate will participate in the EU-funded HORIZON-MSCADN-2024-01 project LipAgg. The LipAgg network brings together partners from 6 European countries and comprises 11 academic or research institutions and 12 industrial partners. The consortium is committed to delivering an outstanding training programme for 15 Doctoral Candidates (DCs) aimed at elucidating the role of lipids in the toxicity and propagation of protein aggregation.

Objectives

This project aims at establishing a reproducible protocol to generate Aβ-lipid complexes made from recombinant Aβ and near physiological vesicle preparations. The kinetics of the complex formation will be determined using Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) and Resonance Rayleigh Scattering (RRS) spectroscopy. Molecular simulations will be applied to determine the affinity (∆G) between Aβ and the different lipids, and to determine the effects on the structure and dynamics of Aβ (at Forschungszentrum Jülich), which will involve collaborations with DC 4 who will perform the same kind of simulations for IAPP and αS.

The expected start date is 1 September 2026.

Eligibility rules

This position is subject to the mobility and eligibility rules of the Marie SkłodowskaCurie Actions. In particular, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than twelve months during the three years immediately prior to the recruitment date, unless as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention. At the date of recruitment, the candidate must be a Doctoral Candidate, i.e. in the first five years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research career and must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.

Funding

The successful candidates will receive a gross salary of The successful candidates will receive a gross salary of 3821.53 € as well as a mobility allowance of € 710.00 per month in accordance with the MSCA regulations for Doctoral Researchers. The net salary depends on local tax regulations and on the country correction factor (to allow for the difference in cost of living in different EU Member States). The salary includes a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and a family allowance (if applicable). The PhD funding is for 36 months.

The University of Catania is a university located in Catania, Sicily. 

The Candidate

 The ideal candidate for this position is a highly motivated and talented researcher holding a Master’s degree (MSc or equivalent) in Chemistry or Biophysics. The candidate should enjoy the challenge of novel scientific concepts and have a highly motivated, persistent and result-driven attitude. The candidate should be able to work well both independently and in an interdisciplinary team. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English are required. Strong organisational and planning skills are also necessary.

Eligibility rules

This position is subject to the mobility and eligibility rules of the Marie SkłodowskaCurie Actions. In particular, the candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than twelve months during the three years immediately prior to the recruitment date, unless as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention. At the date of recruitment, the candidate must be a Doctoral Candidate, i.e. in the first five years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research career and must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.