MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship on antioxidant properties of insoluble fiber.

Organisation / Company Università degli Studi di Verona Department Department of Biotechnology Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The Department of Biotechnology of the University of Verona (Italy) invites scholars to present expressions of interest in applying jointly with Prof. Gianni Zoccatelli for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) on the study of antioxidant properties of insoluble fiber.

This project aims to challenge the current paradigm that insoluble-bound phenolics (IBPs) must be fully released from food matrices to exert biological activity. Using coffee silverskin as the main model matrix, the project will investigate how the structural association between phenolics, insoluble dietary fiber, and Maillard-derived melanoidins governs antioxidant functionality and bioaccessibility. Olive pomace, a more established phenolic-rich agri-food by-product, will serve as a complementary matrix with a distinct phenolic and structural profile.

Mild enzymatic treatments, together with conventional acid and alkaline hydrolysis used as reference controls, will be applied to generate different levels of phenolic release. FTIR spectroscopy and complementary chemical analyses will characterize structural modifications and phenolic–matrix interactions. Simulated gastrointestinal digestion (INFOGEST), antioxidant assays, metal chelation, and lipid oxidation models will compare native matrices, partially treated matrices, and extensively hydrolyzed systems.

Finally, phenolic-rich insoluble matrices will be explored as structurally active antioxidant fillers in simple encapsulation systems, evaluating their contribution to oxidative stability and controlled release during digestion.

Hosting research group / Supervisor

We are looking for applicants for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship to be presented with our Centre / Department as main host institution.

The Food Chemistry research group of the University of Verona has developed strong expertise in the characterization of food matrices, with particular emphasis on bioactive and antioxidant compounds derived from plant-based materials, agri-food by-products, and waste valorization processes. The group is actively involved in the study of the extraction, stabilization, bioaccessibility, and functional properties of phytochemicals and other nutraceutical compounds, with a focus on sustainable approaches for the recovery and utilization of high-value ingredients from food processing residues. In addition, the group has extensive experience in the micro- and nano-encapsulation of bioactive compounds through multiple technological approaches, including biopolymer-based delivery systems and controlled release strategies. These competences are applied to improve the stability, protection, and targeted release of sensitive compounds during processing, storage, and simulated gastrointestinal digestion.

The group also possesses consolidated expertise in the evaluation of antioxidant properties using both chemical and cell-based assays, as well as in the investigation of structure–function relationships within complex food matrices. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the group aims to develop innovative and sustainable functional ingredients with potential health-promoting applications.

Selected candidates will be offered both academic and administrative support from the Center / Department and the University of Verona Grant Office with regard to the proposal preparation.

ELIGIBILITY

Candidates must be eligible according to the criteria established by the 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral fellowship call:

• To have a PhD at the call deadline (September 9, 2026)
• To have up to 8 years research experience after PhD
• To be citizens of an EU State or of an Associated Country or long-term resident in Europe (only for Global Fellowship)
• Not to have resided or carried their main activity in Italy for more than 12 in the 36 months before call deadline (September 9, 2026) – for European Fellowship
• Not to have resided or carried their main activity in the country of the Host Institution in the third country for more than 12 in the 36 months before call deadline (September 9, 2026) – for a Global Fellowship.

Besides, candidates should be fluent in English, should have excellent teamwork attitude, organizational skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.

• A short CV including personal data (name, date of birth, present position, the name of a referee who has agreed to send a reference letter for you)
• A two-pages research proposal
• One reference letter should be sent be a referee at the same address