Postdoc | Human Technopole, Milan

Build the science that shapes the future of human health.
Application closing date: 23.04.2026

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 Zerial Group investigates the molecular mechanisms that control cell and tissue organization, with a focus on the liver. It studies processes such as endosomal fusion and hepatocyte polarity using interdisciplinary approaches that combine biology, advanced microscopy, and 3D reconstruction. The liver is used as a model because of its complex structure, regenerative capacity, and suitability for genetic manipulation.

We are seeking two ambitious Postdocs to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms of liver pathophysiology using liver tissue, primary cells, advanced imaging, and perturbation approaches.

Your mission
• Conduct systematic spatiotemporal analyses of organelle markers in the developing, adult and regenerating mouse liver after partial hepatectomy using advanced microscopy methods (in fixed tissue and by intra-vital microscopy).

• Perform proteomics and lipidomics analyses of primary cells and liver tissue to produce a complete dataset of candidate regulators of hepatocyte polarity.

• Test how candidate genes regulate liver tissue organisation and function in vivo.

• Perform RNAi-mediated gene silencing (Zeigerer et al., 2012), lentivirus delivery or genome editing (CRISPR/Cas; Yin et al., 2014) using protocols established in the Zerial lab.

• Generate mutant lines with CRISPR/Cas.

• Perform functional characterisation and phenotypic analyses and introduce genetic or pharmacological perturbations to modulate the structure and function of the liver tissue.

• Generate reliable data for publication and record all data and results in the required formats in accordance with lab and institutional procedures.

• Contribute to the writing of project-related scientific papers.

• Assist in the training of PhD students and contribute to the smooth running of the lab.

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

• Interdisciplinary collaborations in an international research environment
• Opportunities for professional growth through networking and collaborative research
• Team-based research practices
• Leadership and supervisory experience in a dynamic research setting
• High-level scientific communication, including publications and conference presentations
• Cutting-edge methods in molecular cell biology, including microscopy, genome editing, and protein/RNA analysis

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

What you'll bring

Essential

• A Ph.D. in cell biology, molecular biology, developmental biology, or a closely related biomedical discipline (This requirement must be met within 6 months of the call opening).
• Previous research experience in studying molecular and cellular mechanisms in physiologically relevant systems.
• Previous experience in advanced microscopy and image analysis, ideally including tissue-based imaging.
• Experience in mammalian cell culture, including primary cell isolation and/or handling of complex cellular models.
• Experience in advanced genetic perturbation approaches, including gene editing, gene silencing and overexpression.
• At least one first-author publication in a peer-reviewed journal relevant to the field of this application.
• Fluency in English.

Preferred

• A background in membrane biology, endocytosis and cell trafficking would be advantageous.
• Experience in proteomics would be beneficial.

Organisational and social skills

• Strong problem-solving and organizational abilities.
• Teamwork and good communication skills.
• Networking and public speaking proficiency.

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

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
Submit:

• CV
• A motivation letter (max. two pages) in English explaining how your track record aligns with the position.
• Names and contacts of two referees.

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

Salary: from up to € 43.000,00 depending on the candidate’ 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).