Descrizione dell'offerta
Organisation/Company Università degli Studi di Firenze Department Scienze della Salute Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 31 Aug 2026 - 13:00 (Europe/Rome) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description Background:
SPACE-MEL is an EU-funded MSCA Doctoral Network advancing the next generation of spatial single-cell omics technologies for precision medicine. The programme brings together leading European universities, technology providers, clinical partners and innovative companies to address key experimental and computational challenges currently limiting the clinical translation of spatial biology. By integrating multi-omics approaches, enabling the transition from 2D to 3D tissue analysis and developing advanced data interpretation methods, SPACE-MEL aims to unlock deeper insights into cellular organisation and disease mechanisms. The network will train 15 Doctoral Candidates through an interdisciplinary programme spanning spatial imaging technologies, molecular biology, computational biology, pathology and biomarker discovery.DC13 focuses on Mucosal Melanomas (MuM). Building on its vast experience, UNIFI will carry out a comprehensive Tumor Microenvironment (TME) visualization through double and triple staining followed by computational analyses to detect potential biomarker colocalization. It will correlate the findings with prognostic parameters, refining the prognostic value of the Immunoscore for MuM in order to identify predictive biomarkers and refine TME-based therapies.
Project aim:
The aim of the project is to investigate microenvironmental and sub-clonal heterogeneity in mucosal melanoma during progression. The project will apply spatial multi-omics methods and computational tools to longitudinal MuM samples to compare primary tumours and associated metastases. The project pursues two integrated objectives: (i) to identify spatial and cellular drivers of metastasis; and (ii) to investigate treatment-induced relapse mechanisms using pseudotime modelling. At University of Florence (UNIFI), the Doctoral Candidate will work with human MuM tissues repositories. UNIFI has already collected a large cohort of MuM tissue samples. Based on the huge experience in EORTC projects and from national and international grants, UNIFI will carry out a comprehensive TME visualization and digital assisted computational analysis. Building on previous national and international grant and EORTC collaborations novel multiparametric, tissue-based predictive biomarkers will be investigated by integrating TME features with therapy response and clinical outcome. Integrated spatial analyses will be conducted with
SANOFI
(1st secondment), and clinical assays potential explored with
Diatech Pharmacogenetics S.r.l.
(2nd secondment).
Requirements Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Masterdegree in Biology or Master degree in Medicine or Master degree in D entistry or Master Degree in biotechnology or related fields
Applicants must be doctoral candidates, i.e not already in possession of a doctoral degree.
Mobility rule: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 monthsimmediately before their recruitment date .
Specific Requirements
Strong background in biology, biotechnology, molecular biology, cancer biology, pathology, computational biology or a related biomedical discipline.
Strong interest in melanoma biology, tumour microenvironment, tumour progression, biomarker discovery and translational cancer research.
Basic knowledge of histology, pathology, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology and/or omics-based approaches.
Interest in spatial biology, single-cell/spatial omics technologies and the integration of tissue-based, molecular and clinical data.
Basic computational and data-analysis skills, or a strong willingness to develop them during the project; experience with R, Python or bioinformatic workflows would be an advantage.
Ability to work with human biological material, biobank resources and associated clinical data in accordance with ethical, quality and data-protection standards.
Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and willingness to follow standard operating procedures, quality-control requirements and reproducible research practices.
Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary and international research team.
Willingness and ability to travel, relocate temporarily and spend extended periods abroad as required by the planned international secondments and training activities.
Proficiency in the English language is required, as well as good communication skills, both oral and written. Successful candidates will need to provide proof of an English proficiency test (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English). You may be exempt if you are a national of a majority native-English-speaking country, or have qualifications/degree that has been taught and assessed in English. The supervisor may also confirm that a candidate has the required level of English.
documents confirming the course of studies, including an official transcript of records or diploma supplement;
a curriculum vitae, including the candidate’s educational background, scientific and professional achievements, and a list of publications;
copies of documents confirming scientific or professional achievements;
consent to the processing of personal data for recruitment purposes.
thecandidate may additionally submit a reference letter prepared by a researcher or academic teacher.
Research Field Biological sciences » Biology
Additional Information The Doctoral Candidate will receive a 36-months salary to cover living, as reported in the following table and in accordance with the MSCA-DN guidelines:
Living allowance: € 4.010,00 x person month xcountry correction coefficient
Mobility allowance: € 710,00 per person month
Family allowance (if applicable): € 660,00 per person month
These are gross amounts paid by the REA including compulsory deductions under national law (such as employer and employee social security contributions and direct taxes or the fixed-amount fellowship). The Researcher will be paid the amounts indicated minus the compulsory deductions under national legislation. Net salaries will depend on the national taxation applied by the recruiting Institution's country and on possible extra-benefits granted by the employing Institution.
The Family allowance is applicable to the DCs having or acquiring family obligations (i.e. persons linked to them by (i) marriage, or (ii) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognized by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalized; or (iii) dependent children who are being maintained by them during the action duration.
Additional comments
Host laboratory:
The PhD fellow will be based at the Advanced Bioimaging Research center (ABiR), Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy, under the supervision of Prof. Daniela Massi. ABiRis a research laboratory specialized in TME research and computational pathology in human tumor tissues. The host institution possesses solid expertise in the study of skin diseases, particularly melanoma.
The host provides access to advanced instrumentation such as Roche Ventana Discovery Ultra immunostainer, Leica AT2 and Leica CS2 Slide Scanners, for Whole Slide Imaging, Zeiss Axio Imager 2 microscope equipped with Apotome.2 structured illumination and HALO (Indica Labs) software for advanced image analysis on digital scans.
The candidate will benefit from expertise in melanoma pathology, bioimaging and computational pathology, providing the setting required o investigate the TME in MuM.
Secondments: This project is carried out in strong collaboration with the following groups, and visits to their laboratories are expected during the project. A willingness to travel and spend time abroad is therefore essential:
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Offer Description Background:
SPACE-MEL is an EU-funded MSCA Doctoral Network advancing the next generation of spatial single-cell omics technologies for precision medicine. The programme brings together leading European universities, technology providers, clinical partners and innovative companies to address key experimental and computational challenges currently limiting the clinical translation of spatial biology. By integrating multi-omics approaches, enabling the transition from 2D to 3D tissue analysis and developing advanced data interpretation methods, SPACE-MEL aims to unlock deeper insights into cellular organisation and disease mechanisms. The network will train 15 Doctoral Candidates through an interdisciplinary programme spanning spatial imaging technologies, molecular biology, computational biology, pathology and biomarker discovery.DC13 focuses on Mucosal Melanomas (MuM). Building on its vast experience, UNIFI will carry out a comprehensive Tumor Microenvironment (TME) visualization through double and triple staining followed by computational analyses to detect potential biomarker colocalization. It will correlate the findings with prognostic parameters, refining the prognostic value of the Immunoscore for MuM in order to identify predictive biomarkers and refine TME-based therapies.
Project aim:
The aim of the project is to investigate microenvironmental and sub-clonal heterogeneity in mucosal melanoma during progression. The project will apply spatial multi-omics methods and computational tools to longitudinal MuM samples to compare primary tumours and associated metastases. The project pursues two integrated objectives: (i) to identify spatial and cellular drivers of metastasis; and (ii) to investigate treatment-induced relapse mechanisms using pseudotime modelling. At University of Florence (UNIFI), the Doctoral Candidate will work with human MuM tissues repositories. UNIFI has already collected a large cohort of MuM tissue samples. Based on the huge experience in EORTC projects and from national and international grants, UNIFI will carry out a comprehensive TME visualization and digital assisted computational analysis. Building on previous national and international grant and EORTC collaborations novel multiparametric, tissue-based predictive biomarkers will be investigated by integrating TME features with therapy response and clinical outcome. Integrated spatial analyses will be conducted with
SANOFI
(1st secondment), and clinical assays potential explored with
Diatech Pharmacogenetics S.r.l.
(2nd secondment).
Requirements Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Education Level Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
Masterdegree in Biology or Master degree in Medicine or Master degree in D entistry or Master Degree in biotechnology or related fields
Applicants must be doctoral candidates, i.e not already in possession of a doctoral degree.
Mobility rule: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 monthsimmediately before their recruitment date .
Specific Requirements
Strong background in biology, biotechnology, molecular biology, cancer biology, pathology, computational biology or a related biomedical discipline.
Strong interest in melanoma biology, tumour microenvironment, tumour progression, biomarker discovery and translational cancer research.
Basic knowledge of histology, pathology, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology and/or omics-based approaches.
Interest in spatial biology, single-cell/spatial omics technologies and the integration of tissue-based, molecular and clinical data.
Basic computational and data-analysis skills, or a strong willingness to develop them during the project; experience with R, Python or bioinformatic workflows would be an advantage.
Ability to work with human biological material, biobank resources and associated clinical data in accordance with ethical, quality and data-protection standards.
Excellent organisational skills, attention to detail and willingness to follow standard operating procedures, quality-control requirements and reproducible research practices.
Ability to work both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary and international research team.
Willingness and ability to travel, relocate temporarily and spend extended periods abroad as required by the planned international secondments and training activities.
Proficiency in the English language is required, as well as good communication skills, both oral and written. Successful candidates will need to provide proof of an English proficiency test (e.g., IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge English). You may be exempt if you are a national of a majority native-English-speaking country, or have qualifications/degree that has been taught and assessed in English. The supervisor may also confirm that a candidate has the required level of English.
documents confirming the course of studies, including an official transcript of records or diploma supplement;
a curriculum vitae, including the candidate’s educational background, scientific and professional achievements, and a list of publications;
copies of documents confirming scientific or professional achievements;
consent to the processing of personal data for recruitment purposes.
thecandidate may additionally submit a reference letter prepared by a researcher or academic teacher.
Research Field Biological sciences » Biology
Additional Information The Doctoral Candidate will receive a 36-months salary to cover living, as reported in the following table and in accordance with the MSCA-DN guidelines:
Living allowance: € 4.010,00 x person month xcountry correction coefficient
Mobility allowance: € 710,00 per person month
Family allowance (if applicable): € 660,00 per person month
These are gross amounts paid by the REA including compulsory deductions under national law (such as employer and employee social security contributions and direct taxes or the fixed-amount fellowship). The Researcher will be paid the amounts indicated minus the compulsory deductions under national legislation. Net salaries will depend on the national taxation applied by the recruiting Institution's country and on possible extra-benefits granted by the employing Institution.
The Family allowance is applicable to the DCs having or acquiring family obligations (i.e. persons linked to them by (i) marriage, or (ii) a relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognized by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalized; or (iii) dependent children who are being maintained by them during the action duration.
Additional comments
Host laboratory:
The PhD fellow will be based at the Advanced Bioimaging Research center (ABiR), Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy, under the supervision of Prof. Daniela Massi. ABiRis a research laboratory specialized in TME research and computational pathology in human tumor tissues. The host institution possesses solid expertise in the study of skin diseases, particularly melanoma.
The host provides access to advanced instrumentation such as Roche Ventana Discovery Ultra immunostainer, Leica AT2 and Leica CS2 Slide Scanners, for Whole Slide Imaging, Zeiss Axio Imager 2 microscope equipped with Apotome.2 structured illumination and HALO (Indica Labs) software for advanced image analysis on digital scans.
The candidate will benefit from expertise in melanoma pathology, bioimaging and computational pathology, providing the setting required o investigate the TME in MuM.
Secondments: This project is carried out in strong collaboration with the following groups, and visits to their laboratories are expected during the project. A willingness to travel and spend time abroad is therefore essential:
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Candidatura e Ritorno (in fondo)
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