Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher (ESR)

School of Biosciences

Cardiff University is looking for an Early Stage Researcher within the Division of Neuroscience for the collaborative research projects ‘Modelling HD to study mechanisms of somatic CAG expansion and the role of microglia and astrocytes in disease onset and progression.’ of the EU Horizon2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action: “ViSi-On-Brain” Training on Cutting-edge human in Vitro and in Silico biomedical tools on Brain disorders.

The Training on Cutting-edge human in Vitro and in Silico biomedical tools on brain disorders ETN is a four-year project, funded by the European Union Horizon 2020 Programme (HORIZON-MSCA-2024-DN-01-01) under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Initial Training Network and Grant Agreement No. 101227124. ViSi-On-Brain-Training is addressing existing gaps within Human Stem Cell-based Neuronal disorders (NDs) Modelling (NDM) for research to develop new medicines for the treatment of neurological disorders (e.g. Parkinson´s (PD), Huntington´s (HD) and Demyelination’s (DM) diseases), which occur as a result of acute or progressive loss of cells, glial or neuronal, and structures and function in the brain.

As part of the position, the successful candidate will be enrolled as a staff candidate for a PhD at Cardiff University.  ESR PhD students will benefit from a dedicated training program in the various fields of expertise of the consortium partners.

Conditions of international mobility of researchers: Researchers will undertake trans-national secondments (i.e. move from one country to another). At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.  The candidates must not yet have been awarded a doctorate degree and should have <4 years past M.Sc. or equivalent.

English language: It is a requirement that applicants will show that their ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English is sufficient for them to derive the full benefit from the network training, and to embark on a doctorate at a UK University.

ViSi-On-Brain pursues a policy of equal opportunities on matters of gender and disability and will seek to recruit an equal proportion of male and female applicants. Employment procedures and contracts will conform to the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

This is a full-time position (35 hours per week), fixed-term for 3 years and is available from 1^st October 2026.

For informal enquiries please contact Professor Nick Allen ([email protected]).  

It is anticipated the basic annual salary will be in the region of £43,115 to £48,527 per annum, exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment.  In addition to basic salary, Marie Sklodowska-Curie Early Stage Researcher positions also attract living and mobility allowances, dependent on individual circumstances.

ESR eligibility criteria

Applicants should not have resided or performed their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 year period immediately prior to the start date of the PhD research.

Applicants for the ESR PhD positions should be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers and not yet have been awarded a doctorate. This 4 year period is measured from the date of obtaining the degree which would formally entitle to embark on a doctorate.

Applicants must confirm and be prepared to provide evidence that they meet the Marie Sklodowska-Curie eligibility criteria as specified below.

Conditions of international mobility of researchers: Researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up the appointment. At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

*The Marie Sklodowska-Curie programme offers highly competitive and attractive salary and working conditions. The successful candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the Marie Sklodowska-Curie regulations for early stage and experienced researchers.

Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment. In addition to their individual scientific projects, all fellows will benefit from further continuing education, which includes internships and secondments, a variety of training modules as well as transferable skills courses and active participation in workshops and conferences.