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Open Calls

We’re hiring!
Medical and Biological Research Lab. at the Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (IMB-BAS), led by Prof. Dr. Margarita Apostolova, is looking for two Doctoral Candidates (DC5 and DC11) to join us within the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Network project “Biosensors Using Graphene for Infection Diagnostics” (BUG-ID): https://bug-id.dtu.dk/
This project is focused on developing a knowledge base and methods for innovative infection diagnostics using graphene-functionalized sensors and artificial intelligence (AI). The network brings together seven European universities, one research institute, one hospital, six private companies, and 15 PhD candidates working closely with a broad interdisciplinary platform, including microbiology, molecular biology, “omics” analyses, advanced nanotechnology, and AI-based big data analysis in many collaborations and great team spirit!
The details
Programme: MSCA Doctoral Network BUG-ID (Standard Doctoral Networks)
Location: Roumen Tsanev Institute of Molecular Biology – Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Medical and Biological Research Laboratory – Sofia, Bulgaria; and AMGT – Botevgrad, Bulgaria.
  • DC5 – Project title: “Discovery of biomarkers for detecting infections on medical implants” (IMB-BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria)
  • DC11 – Project title: “Development of piezoresistive and electrically conductive microsensors for bacterial infections” (AMGT, Botevgrad, Bulgaria)
Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Margarita Apostolova
Consultant: Vladimir Stavrov
Application deadline: 15 April 2026
Start date: August – September 2026
Contract duration: 36 months (full-time; fully funded)

Who can apply
  • All interested candidates, irrespective of country of origin, age, gender, race, disability, religion, or ethnic background, are encouraged to apply.
  • MSCA mobility rule: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Bulgaria for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.
  • Master’s degree in Biology, Natural Sciences, or Chemistry, with an overall grade point average of at least “very good” (4.50).
  • No doctoral degree at the time of recruitment.
  • Fluency in written and spoken English.
What’s in it for you
  • Living allowance (gross): €2,594.47/month
  • Mobility allowance: €710/month
  • Family allowance: €495/month (if applicable)
Application documents
Please prepare the following:
  • Europass CV
  • Grade transcripts and MSc diploma
  • Certificate of recognized higher education if the diploma was issued by a non-Bulgarian higher education institution: https://nacid.bg/en/foreign_qualifications_in_bulgaria_b_m/info/
  • Medical certificate for applicants who are not Bulgarian citizens and are not citizens of another EU Member State, an EEA state, or the Swiss Confederation. The certificate must be issued no earlier than one month before the application date and certified by the relevant authorities in the applicant’s country.
Contact
For questions and additional information, please contact: Please indicate “Application to DC5” and/or “Application to DC11” in the email subject line.
Departments
Gene Regulation
Molecular Biology of the Cell Cycle
Laboratory of molecular genetics, epigenetics and longevity
Structure and Function of Chromatin
Biochemical Pharmacology and Drug Design
Medical and Biological Research Laboratory
Laboratory of Genomic stability