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12+ Fully Funded PhD Positions in Leukodystrophies & Rare White‑Matter Diseases (POLARIS MSCA Doctoral Network)

PhD position

9/14/2026

Opportunity at a glance

  • Programme: POLARIS – Accelerating Therapy Development for Leukodystrophies

  • Type: 12+ fully funded PhD (Doctoral Candidate) positions within a single MSCA Doctoral Network

  • Funding: Horizon Europe – Marie Sklodowska‑Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network

  • Eligibility: Master's degree (or equivalent) in life/health sciences, psychology, or related fields; must satisfy MSCA mobility rule

  • Deadline: 5 October 2026 (most positions)

  • Start: Late 2026 / early 2027 (project‑dependent)

  • Locations: Multiple European countries (Netherlands, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, Cyprus)

Why POLARIS matters

Leukodystrophies are a group of rare genetic disorders that damage the brain's white matter (myelin and supporting glial cells). They often lead to progressive neurological decline, disability, and reduced life expectancy.

Despite growing biological understanding, there are still very few disease‑modifying therapies for most leukodystrophies.

POLARIS brings together:

  • Academic medical centres and research institutes

  • Biotech and technology partners

  • Patient organisations and clinical networks

to accelerate the entire therapy‑development pipeline:

  • From disease biology and advanced models

  • Through therapeutic innovation (gene therapy, small molecules, nanoparticles)

  • To biomarkers, clinical translation, patient engagement, and regulatory/access pathways

As a POLARIS doctoral candidate, you will work in an international, interdisciplinary environment, with structured training, secondments, and close links to patients and clinicians.

The POLARIS PhD projects (by theme)

You can apply to individual positions via their specific AcademicTransfer/Euraxess pages. Some candidates may be eligible for more than one project; check each vacancy for details.

1. Gene Therapy for Leukodystrophies (Amsterdam, NL)

Host: Amsterdam UMC (Netherlands)
Focus: Preclinical assessment of AAV gene therapy in mouse models of vanishing white matter disease (VWM) and metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD).
Methods: In vivo gene therapy, molecular techniques, mouse models, safety and efficacy evaluation.
Supervisor: Dr Niek van Til (Amsterdam Leukodystrophy Center).

2. Oligodendrocyte‑Targeted Gene Therapy for PMLD1 (Nicosia, Cyprus)

Host: Cyprus Institute of Neurology & Genetics (CING), academically enrolled via Amsterdam UMC / Graduate School.
Focus: Develop isogenic iPSC‑derived myelinating organoids as a human in vitro model of Pelizaeus‑Merzbacher‑like disease type 1 (PMLD1) and test gene‑therapy strategies.
Methods: iPSC culture, brain organoids, CRISPR/Cas9 or related genome editing, myelination assays.
Supervisor: Prof Kleopas Kleopa.

3. Lipid Nanoparticle (LNP) Gene Therapy for Leukodystrophies (London, UK)

Host: University College London (UCL), embedded in POLARIS via Amsterdam UMC network.
Focus: In vitro and in vivo preclinical assessment of LNP‑based genetic therapies for leukodystrophies.
Methods: Nanoparticle formulation, delivery to CNS models, gene‑expression and functional readouts.
Supervisor: Prof Ahad Rahim.

4. Drug Discovery for Leukodystrophies (Barcelona, Spain)

Host: Partner institution in Barcelona (within POLARIS network).
Focus: Discover and optimise novel drug candidates targeting GPRC5B, an emerging therapeutic target in leukodystrophy.
Methods: AI‑assisted virtual screening, molecular modelling, experimental validation in cellular models.

5. Pharmacological Therapy for MLC (Rome, Italy)

Host: Istituto Superiore di Sanità·´ (ISS) or partner in Rome.
Focus: Preclinical evaluation of pharmacological therapies for megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC).
Methods: Cellular and/or animal models of MLC, drug testing, phenotypic and molecular readouts.
Supervisor: Dr Elena Ambrosini.

6. Translational In Vivo Neuroscience (Leiden, NL)

Host: Innoser Laboratories / Leiden partners within POLARIS.
Focus: Combine in vivo neuroscience, behavioural research, and data analysis to improve preclinical evaluation of leukodystrophy therapies.
Methods: Rodent behavioural assays, imaging, quantitative analysis, translational outcome measures.
Supervisor: Dr Maarten Loos.

7. Zebrafish Models of Leukodystrophies (York, UK)

Host: University of York (UK).
Focus: Develop robust preclinical outcome measures in zebrafish models of leukodystrophies (e.g., RNASET2 deficiency, ALD, Krabbe disease, MLD).
Methods: Behavioural phenotyping, advanced imaging, quantitative image analysis, cross‑model standardisation.
Supervisor: Dr No鶶mie Hamilton.

8. Advanced MRI Biomarkers in Cerebral ALD (Paris, France)

Host: ICM / Paris partners within POLARIS (2 positions).
Focus: Develop and validate innovative MRI‑based outcome measures to monitor disease activity and progression in cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (C‑ALD).
Methods: Advanced MRI sequences, image analysis, correlation with clinical and biological markers.
Contact: Hemmo Yska.

9. Liquid Biomarkers for Leukodystrophies (T€ubingen, Germany)

Host: University Hospital T€ubingen / partner centres.
Focus: Identify and validate liquid biomarkers (e.g., blood/CSF markers) for leukodystrophies to support diagnosis and therapy monitoring.
Methods: Omics (proteomics, metabolomics, etc.), patient samples, statistical modelling, clinical correlation.

10. Quality of Life & Resilience in Leukodystrophy (T€ubingen, Germany)

Host: University Hospital T€ubingen (Eberhard Karls Universit€at T€ubingen).
Focus: Improve how quality of life (QoL) is measured in leukodystrophy; develop and validate patient‑ and family‑centred tools; study risk and resilience factors linked to parental distress, coping, and long‑term outcomes.
Methods: Mixed‑methods research (qualitative + quantitative), psychometrics, questionnaire development, longitudinal/multilevel modelling, Delphi methods, engagement with patient organisations (e.g., ELA).
Eligibility: Master's in psychology, medicine, health/nursing sciences, public health, rehabilitation sciences, epidemiology, or related social/behavioural/biomedical fields; strong empirical research and statistics background.
Supervisor: Prof Dr Samuel Groeschel.

11. Regulatory & Access Pathways for Leukodystrophy Therapies (Utrecht, NL)

Host: Medicines Evaluation Board (MEB), Utrecht, Netherlands.
Focus: Investigate regulatory pathways, sustainable access, and reimbursement for innovative leukodystrophy therapies (including orphan medicines and ATMPs).
Themes:

  • Facilitating development of orphan medicines in academic settings

  • Small‑scale ("n‑of‑few") manufacturing and quality control of ATMPs

  • Patient‑reported outcomes relevant to leukodystrophy therapies

  • European access and reimbursement pathways

Methods: Regulatory document analysis, expert interviews, case studies, policy and health‑system analysis.
Supervisor: Dr Marjon Pasmooij.

Who should apply

Typical backgrounds (vary by project):

  • Gene therapy / molecular therapy projects:

    • Master's in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Biomedical Sciences, Genetics, or related fields

    • Experience with molecular techniques, cell culture, and/or animal models

    • Interest in AAV/LNP gene therapy, genome editing, and translational research

  • Drug discovery / pharmacology projects:

    • Background in Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmacology, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or related areas

    • Familiarity with computational chemistry, molecular modelling, or AI‑assisted screening is advantageous

  • Biomarkers / imaging / zebrafish / in vivo neuroscience projects:

    • Master's in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Biology, Bioinformatics, or related disciplines

    • Experience with imaging, behavioural assays, omics, or quantitative data analysis

  • Quality of life & resilience project:

    • Master's in Psychology, Medicine, Health/Nursing Sciences, Public Health, Rehabilitation Sciences, Epidemiology, or related social/behavioural/biomedical fields

    • Strong foundation in empirical research methods and applied statistics

    • Interest in patient‑reported outcomes, psychometrics, and rare‑disease research

  • Regulatory & access pathways project:

    • Background in Regulatory Science, Health Policy, Public Health, Pharmacy, Law (with health focus), Health Economics, or related fields

    • Interest in orphan medicines, ATMPs, reimbursement, and patient access

English language requirement:

  • Strong written and spoken English is required for all positions.

  • Some hosts may ask for formal proof (e.g., IELTS/TOEFL) if your degree was not in English.

MSCA eligibility rules (must be met at recruitment):

  • You must not already hold a PhD

  • You must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) at the time of recruitment

  • You must comply with the MSCA mobility rule:

    • In the 36 months before recruitment, you must not have lived or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the recruiting country for more than 12 months

  • Candidates of any nationality may apply

Funding & benefits

POLARIS PhDs are funded under the MSCA Doctoral Network framework.

Successful candidates can expect:

  • A full‑time doctoral research position with a salary according to MSCA regulations and local employment rules (typically 36–48 months, depending on the project)

  • Country‑specific adjustments reflecting differences in living costs

  • International and interdisciplinary research experience across multiple institutions and sectors

  • Research secondments at academic, clinical, and/or industry partner organisations

  • Specialised scientific training in leukodystrophy biology, gene therapy, biomarkers, clinical translation, patient engagement, and regulatory/access science

  • Transferable skills development: scientific writing, presentation, project management, open science, IP, entrepreneurship, and research leadership

  • Participation in network‑wide workshops, training schools, consortium meetings, and conferences

  • Opportunities to engage with patient organisations and contribute to patient‑centred research

Exact contract length, salary scale, and benefits depend on the host institution and country.

How to apply

  1. Shortlist the projects that best match your background (e.g., gene therapy + mouse models; MRI biomarkers; QoL & resilience; regulatory science).

  2. Prepare your application materials, typically including:

    • Detailed CV (with publications, thesis topic, key techniques, and coding/analysis skills if relevant)

    • Academic transcripts and degree certificates (Bachelor's and Master's)

    • Motivation letter tailored to POLARIS and your chosen project(s)

    • Evidence of research experience (thesis abstract, project reports, code repositories, posters, etc.)

    • English proficiency proof (if available or required)

  3. Apply via the specific vacancy page. Each position has its own application portal and may request additional documents.

  4. In your motivation letter, you may be asked to mention up to two additional POLARIS projects of interest if you are open to related topics.

Because each project is advertised separately, you submit separate applications for each position you are interested in.

Recruitment timeline

  • Vacancies published: Early September 2026

  • Application deadline: 5 October 2026 (most positions)

  • Selection period: October–November 2026 (project‑dependent)

  • Expected start: Late 2026 / early 2027 (depending on project and host)

How we can help

If you're considering POLARIS:

  • We can help you match your profile (e.g., gene therapy + AAV, MRI/ imaging, zebrafish/behaviour, psychometrics/QoL, regulatory science) to the most suitable projects and hosts.

  • Your mentor can help you craft targeted motivation letters that clearly link your past work (thesis, techniques, patient/rare‑disease interest) to POLARIS goals and the specific project aims.

  • We can review your CV and research statement to highlight the skills POLARIS supervisors value: experimental design, in vivo work, imaging/omics, statistics, coding, patient engagement, and interdisciplinary thinking.

Found a fit? Share your shortlist (e.g., "Gene therapy VWM/MLD", "MRI biomarkers C‑ALD", "QoL & resilience") and a draft CV, and we'll help you turn these into strong, submission‑ready applications before the 5 October deadline.

For more personalized tips or templates contact our team.

www.applywithmentors.com