Job Description
Postdoc in Developmental Neurobiology - Kalebic lab

Join a place where ambitious science thrives

Application closing date: August 8, 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.

 

Within this mission, the Kalebic Group employs spatial biology across scales to uncover the cellular logic by which the cerebral cortex is built, with a particular focus on how neural stem cell morphology instructs proliferation, fate and tissue architecture during development and how these processes are disrupted in neurodevelopmental disorders. By combining high-resolution imaging, spatial transcriptomics, gene perturbation assays, quantitative morphology and AI-based analysis across in vitro and in vivo model systems, we seek to understand how defects in stem cell morphology contribute to neurodevelopmental disorders, such as Down syndrome.

 

Your mission

We are seeking and ambitious postdoctoral researcher to drive our efforts in mechanistic understanding of neurodevelopmental phenotypes in Down syndrome:

  • Conduct research, generate high-quality data, develop innovative methods and tools, and ensure accurate documentation of activities.
  • Plan and manage experiments and data analysis in line with the group’s vision and mission.
  • Contribute to writing scientific publications, present findings at conferences, seminars, and workshops.
  • Train and support students and junior staff, while collaborating with internal and external researchers.

 

Grow Your Skills

You will engage in cutting-edge research in the life sciences, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams and utilizing advanced technologies to contribute to impactful scientific publications. You will support the advancement of existing research and contributing to the evaluation and establishment of new research directions. Human Technopole supports career development through structured training, mentoring, and dedicated learning opportunities.

 

What you'll bring

Essential

  • Ph.D. in neurobiology, cell biology, molecular medicine or a similar field; to be obtained before January 2027.
  • Research background with a track record of publications in the field of developmental neurobiology.
  • Ability to develop and implement robust research projects, including formulating hypotheses, designing experiments and optimizing protocols.
  • Expertise in generating cortical brain organoids.
  • Expertise in mouse in utero electroporation.
  • Expertise in acquiring, handling and analyzing light microscopy datasets, ensuring data quality, reproducibility and appropriate interpretation.

 

Preferred

  • Previous experience with Down syndrome research

 

Organisational and social skills

  • Self-motivated, able to work independently and organize own workload
  • Enthusiastic team player and able to work collaboratively and across different disciplines.
  • Strong problem-solving abilities.
  • Networking and public speaking proficiency.
  • Ability to evaluate research findings, troubleshoot technical issues, and draw meaningful conclusions.

 

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.

 

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

 

Submit

 

How to apply

  •  CV
  •  Motivation letter
  •  Contact details of two referees

 

 

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

 

Salary range: € 40 - €43k, based on the 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.

Information at a Glance
Legal Entity:  Fondazione Human Technopole
L2:  Neurogenomics Research centre
L3:  Kalebic Group