FPU2025 - Nanomechanical and Nanofluidic Characterization of Viral Vectors for Gene Therapy

The Bionanomechanics Lab invites applications for an FPU - PhD position in a cutting-edge research project at the interface of nanophysics, biophysics, and gene therapy. This project focuses on the development of novel single-particle technologies for the physical characterization of viral vectors used in advanced therapies, with the goal of improving the safety, efficacy, and scalability of gene therapies. Project Overview: Gene therapies such as CAR-T cell therapies are transforming medicine. However, their broader clinical application is limited by inconsistencies in viral vector production, particularly affecting potency and safety. This PhD project will focus on the design and application of nanomechanical and nanofluidic devices for single-particle analysis of gene therapy vectors. Specifically, the candidate will develop and optimize technologies to measure viral vector mass, stiffness, and electrophoretic mobility which are key physical properties that correlate with vector titer, purity, and potency. These label-free, high-resolution techniques will enable a new generation of physical quality control tools, going beyond traditional ensemble-based biochemical assays and addressing a critical need in therapeutic manufacturing pipelines. Mentor CV: Montserrat Calleja 15 patents, over 90 indexed articles, over 7,400 citations and an h-index of 43. Leader of national and international research projects, including two prestigious ERC Grants (StG and CoG) and three ERC Pr