Build the science that shapes the future of human health. 
Application closing date: 06.09.2026 

Join a place where ambitious science thrives 

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. 

Within this mission, the newly established Pönisch Group studies how biological matter changes shape during development and disease. We combine quantitative image analysis, morphometrics, and theoretical modelling to uncover the principles underlying stochastic shape dynamics in biological systems. We study these questions across scales, from the shape dynamics of single cells to dynamic behaviours in cell collectives and tissues. We are a theory lab, working at the interface of physics, data science, and biology and in close collaboration with experimental partners.  

We seek an ambitious postdoc to study how individual cell morphodynamics is coupled to cell topology and cellular state in cell collectives.  

The successful candidate will analyse large imaging datasets of in vitro cell aggregates and biological tissues and develop a multimodal analysis framework to represent collective cell dynamics as a low-dimensional stochastic dynamical system. 

The aim of this project is to distinguish intrinsic from extrinsic contributions to the stochastic morphodynamics of cells and to develop a holistic understanding of the collective behaviour of biological matter. 

Working closely with experimental collaborators, the new lab member will integrate data analysis and theoretical physics to identify general principles driving collective cell dynamics. 

Grow your skills 
You will enhance your scientific and professional skills by working with: 

• Imaging datasets of cell collectives generated in collaboration with experimental partners. 

• Advanced bioimage analysis, including image segmentation in 2D and 3D. 

• Multimodal analysis of cellular features (shape, gene expression, topology).  

• Computational modelling of biological systems  

• Interdisciplinary collaboration at the interface of physics, data science, and biology. 

• Cutting-edge facilities at HT. 

• A growing and dynamic interdisciplinary research group at HT with a collaborative and supportive lab culture that nurtures the professional development of members with diverse backgrounds. 

Human Technopole supports career development through training, mentoring and dedicated learning opportunities. 

What you'll bring 

Essential 

• PhD in (theoretical) physics, applied mathematics, computer science, engineering, data science or other relevant discipline. 

• Experience in computational modelling (e.g., particle-based models, Voronoi/Vertex models, Cellular Potts models) of biological many-body systems (e.g., molecules, cells, tissues). 

• Experience in MATLAB/Python or other scientific programming languages. 

Preferred 

• Experience in quantitative image analysis.  

• Experience working with biological datasets, especially datasets in the field of cell biology, developmental biology and biomedical research. 

• Experience with machine and deep learning (particularly graph neural networks). 

• Experience in supervision of students. 

• Experience in managing their own workload and good planning/organisational skills. 

• Track record or interest in securing independent research fellowship. 

Organisational and social skills 

• Proactivity attitude in seeking out and maintaining collaborations. 

• Excellent troubleshooting, documentation, and critical thinking skills. 

• Ability to manage multiple projects in parallel. 

• Ability to work independently to a high standard 

• Commitment to working in a diverse, inclusive and international research setting. 

At HT, your discoveries contribute to a global effort to improve human health.