Postdoc Calviello Lab - Ciliopathies Research Programme

Build the science that shapes the future of human health.
Application closing date: 24.08.2026

Human Technopole (Milan) is a rapidly expanding life science institute where international researchers and cutting-edge technologies converge to accelerate biomedical discovery. Our mission is to transform bold scientific ideas into advances that improve human health.

About the role:

The position will be a joint appointment between the Functional Genomics and the Molecular Cell Biology Research Centres, and jointly supervised by  Dr. Lorenzo Calviello and  Dr. Gaia Pigino . The position is financially supported by the Human Technopole  Ciliopathies Flagship Research Programme , a multidisciplinary initiative that brings together several Research Groups to dissect the molecular mechanisms underlying ciliary function at multiple scales. Our overarching goal is to achieve a mechanistic understanding of ciliopathies, a diverse group of human disorders characterized by heterogeneous clinical manifestations that ultimately arise from dysfunction of the ciliary organelle.

The successful candidate will be work in a world-class environment with international leaders in mRNA biology, Structural Biology, Cell Biology, advanced analytics and cutting-edge -omics technologies, and apply state-of-the art methods in transcriptomics, biochemistry, fluorescence and cryo-electron tomography to illuminate the biology of RNA and protein synthesis in subcellular space. 

This project investigates how RNA localization and compartment-specific translation contribute to the assembly and maintenance of the primary cilium, addressing a largely unexplored layer of organelle regulation. By integrating subcellular transcriptomics, selective ribosome profiling, proteomics, and structural approaches, we aim to define the ciliary transcriptome, identify localized translation events, and characterize ribonucleoprotein complexes that drive ciliogenesis.

Collaborations and interactions with all the involved Research Groups are highly encouraged to develop independent research projects and prepare for a successful future in interdisciplinary science.

What you’ll bring:

Essential

• PhD degree in molecular biology or related discipline, with a focus on RNA biology, biochemistry, structural biology and/or cell biology.
• Proven track record of research activity in molecular biology.
• Strong background in biochemistry, mRNA translation and cell biology.
• Independence in performing standard mammalian tissue culture and basic molecular biology and microscopy tasks.
• Ability to optimize conditions for RNA, proteins, and protein-RNA complex extraction and purification.
• Fluency in English

Preferred

• Expertise in Protein/RNA biology in subcellular compartments.
• Experience in optimizing experimental conditions for isolating RNP complexes (e.g. ultracentrifugation, polysome profiling, immunoprecipitation, proximity labelling, chromatography methods).
• Previous experience with cilia biology.
• Familiarity with cryo-EM and/or cryo-electron tomography.
• Independence in transcriptomics/proteomics data analysis and interpretation.
• Experience with the study of local translation.

Organizational and social skills

• Ability to work independently.
• Willingness to frequently discuss results and ideas, highlighting controls and potential pitfalls, using concise and clear presentations.
• Motivation to interact lively with colleagues in the labs involved in the collaboration, other departments, and the larger scientific community in various events (journal clubs, lab meetings, seminars, international conferences, etc.).
• Strong communication skills and respect for their own and other colleagues’ work, towards fostering a transparent, collaborative, stimulating, and welcoming scientific environment.
• Willingness in identifying third-party funding sources (this is not a strict requirement).

Why Human Technopole
HT offers an international and dynamic workplace, competitive welfare provisions, flexible working policies and relocation support. Researchers moving to Italy may benefit from attractive tax benefits. We promote work–life balance and provide parental support initiatives.

How to apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter detailing relevant experience, motivation and list of publications
• Contact details of at least three referees

This is a 4-year contract offered under CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, Level B2

Salary range: € 40.000,00 - € 43.000,00 depending on candidate's seniority

The position is based in Milan, Italy, within our vibrant international campus.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates belonging to protected categories (L. 68/99).

The Foundation reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to extend, suspend, modify, revoke, or cancel this job posting without giving rise to any rights or claims whatsoever in favor of the candidates; the Foundation reserves, however, the right not to proceed with the awarding of the above-described assignment due to the effect of supervening regulatory provisions and/or obstructive circumstances.

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