Specialist | Human Technopole, Milan

Build the science that shapes the future of human health.
Application closing date: 20.05.2026

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 Pigino Lab works at the interface between structural and molecular cell biology. We combine state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography, correlative light and electron microscopy, advanced fluorescence microscopy, and 3D image processing to study the structure, function, and assembly of cilia, ubiquitous eukaryotic organelles with essential roles in motility, signalling, and sensing. Our work spans motile and primary cilia in health and disease, across a range of model systems: from the unicellular alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii to mammalian cell lines, organoids, and tissues from ciliated organs. Our ambition is to translate mechanistic insight into a deeper understanding of human ciliopathies and related disorders.

We are now seeking an ambitious Specialist with deep expertise in ciliary biology to join the lab and bring the experimental design skills, technical depth, and methodological leadership that our most complex projects demand.

Your mission
As Specialist in the Pigino Lab, you will:

• Lead the design, optimisation, and execution of advanced experimental pipelines that integrate cryo-ET, light and electron microscopy, biochemistry, and molecular cell biology.
• Deliver high-quality, reproducible data that directly feed our publications, grant proposals, and long-term scientific strategy.
• Act as the lab’s subject-matter expert for cryo-ET and correlative imaging — advising the team on methodology, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• Build and maintain robust quality-control workflows for experimental and computational pipelines.
• Scout and integrate emerging methods (AI-based image analysis, new hardware, new sample-preparation approaches) into ongoing projects.
• Mentor PhD students and junior researchers, sharing your expertise in ciliary biology, experimental design, and specialised techniques.
• Collaborate closely with HT facilities (cryo-EM, light microscopy, image analysis) and with external partners.

Grow your skills
You will work alongside international experts and have access to:

• HT’s state-of-the-art cryo-EM and light-microscopy facilities.
• High-performance computing and image-analysis infrastructure.
• A dynamic interdisciplinary environment spanning structural and cell biology, genomics, computational biology, neuroscience, and health data science.
• Dedicated training, mentoring, and career-development programmes.
  
  

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

What you'll bring

Essential

• PhD in Cell Biology, Structural Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Nanobiophysics, or a closely related field.
• At least 5 years of post-PhD research experience, with a strong record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Proven expertise and deep knowledge in ciliary biology.
• Cryo-ET specialist, with end-to-end command of the pipeline — from sample preparation and data collection to tomogram reconstruction, subtomogram averaging, and model building.
• Habitual and confident user of a wide range of light and electron microscopes.
• Hands-on experience with diverse cellular systems (Chlamydomonas, 2D cultures, tissue dissection).
• Experience with in vitro reconstitution systems involving microtubules, motor proteins, and/or axonemal reactivation.
• Resourceful wet-lab scientist, able to develop and optimise new protocols and methods.
• Intermediate programming and AI skills for ad hoc data analysis (e.g. Python, image-analysis frameworks, ML-based segmentation/classification tools).
• Experience writing and revising manuscripts and preparing high-quality scientific data visualisations.

Preferred

• Familiarity with mass-spectrometry sample preparation and data interpretation.
• Experience mentoring junior scientists and supervising technical work.
• Track record of contribution to grant proposals.
• Experience with booking systems (e.g. PPMS) and institutional procurement platforms (e.g. SAP).

Organisational and social skills

• Dedicated collaborator and independent worker.
• Strong communication skills.
• Drive, curiosity, and enthusiasm.
• Comfortable in a multicultural, interdisciplinary research environment.

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
• Motivation letter (English)
• Contact details of two referees

This is a 5-year contract offered under CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, Level B1

Salary: up to € 51.000,00 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).