Project Title: Magneto-opto-mechanical nanodevices for immunomodulation

Research Fields: Nanotechnology, cell mechanical stimulation, nanotherapies, cell therapies

Location: Institute of Microelectronics of Barcelona (IMB-CNM,CSIC), Cerdanyola del Valles, Catalonia

Project Summary

Motivated by the systemic toxicity and delivery challenges of current immunotherapies, this PhD project seeks developing novel wirelessly controlled magneto-opto-mechanical (MOM) nanodevices to mechanically and biochemically harness macrophage plasticity for targeted treatments in cancer and inflammatory diseases. The core objective is to achieve remote control over macrophage phenotypes, reprogramming them from pro-tumor to anti-tumor in colorectal cancer, or from pro-inflammatory to regenerative in rheumatoid arthritis. The MOM nanodevices will combine different materials and multiple mechanical actuation modes, including opto-mechanical, photo-strictive, magnetophoretic or magneto-strictive with biochemical stimulation, to modulate macrophages phenotype. The therapeutic efficacy of the MOM nanodevices will be demonstrated in advanced 3D-bioprinted in vitro models.



The project will utilize the largest Clean Room in Spain and will benefit from collaborations and secondments with IBEC and/or IIB Sant Pau for the preclinical validation.

Specific Objectives

- Fabricate (by photolithography, colloidal lithography, etc.) MOM nanodevices
- Develop optical/magnetic actuation setups for characterizing the MOM nanodevices and for remote optical/magnetic biomedical stimulation
- Understand the coupled mechanical and biochemical stimulation effects in the macrophage polarization, and demonstrate the therapeutic effects in 3D bioprinted models of colorectal cancer and rheumatoid arthritis pannus

Candidate Profile

Minimum Requirements: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Nanoscience, Physics, Chemistry, or Biomedical Science; excellent written and spoken English.

Desirable Merits: Experience in nanofabrication/characterization techniques orin vitrocell assays.

Offer & Conditions

Start Date: Before December 15, 2026.

Additional Benefits

- Access to cutting-edge nanofabrication facilities and research resources
- Collaboration with leading researchers in the nanomedical field
- Publishing in high-impact scientific journals and presenting in international conferences
- Enrolment at the UAB PhD program with multidisciplinary training

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📌 PhD Fellowship (Barcelona)
🏢 Consejo Superior De Investigaciones Científicas
📍 Barcelona