MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship on Biochemistry and Biophyics of Retinal Processes in Health and D[...]

Overview

Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences

Organisation / Company Università degli Studi di Verona Department Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The research Group ( ) headed by Prof. Daniele Dell’Orco invites scholars to present expressions of interest in applying jointly with the Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences of the University of Verona(Italy) for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) on Biochemistry and Biophysics of Retinal Processes in Health and Disease.

The project will focus on the molecular investigation of retinal processes in both physiological and disease-associated conditions, with particular emphasis on inherited diseases and novel therapeutic approaches. The PostDoc will be part of a multidisciplinary team that applies in silico, in vitro, and ex vivo techniques — including molecular dynamics simulations, systems biology modeling, recombinant protein production and biophysical characterization (fluorescence spectroscopy, ITC, SPR, CD), and ex vivo retinal models (organotypic cultures, retinal explants, organoids) — to unravel the mechanisms underlying the alteration of molecular processes regulating the phototransduction cascade in cone and rod photoreceptors, as well as other neuronal processes in the retina. Protein- and nanoparticle-based delivery strategies for the retina are also part of the group’s active research portfolio. The ultimate goal is to do mechanistically rigorous science with a clear translational vision. Candidates must hold a PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or a closely related discipline, with demonstrated expertise in at least one of the experimental or computational approaches listed under Required Background below.

Hosting research group / Supervisor

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

The Post Doc will be part of the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics group at the University of Verona ( ). Our research is focused on the experimental and theoretical characterization of protein-protein and protein-ion interactions of biomedical relevance. We are specifically interested in the structure-function properties of Neuronal Calcium Sensors (NCS) and the mechanism of regulation of their targets under physiological and disease-associated conditions, such as genetic diseases. We use a multidisciplinary approach that integrates experimental and computational techniques to unravel the biochemical mechanisms behind complex cell behaviours, in particular we have a long-standing interest in photoreceptor biochemistry under both physiological and pathological conditions. We also investigate the potential of nanodevices, such as nanoparticles and liposomes, as carriers of proteins and other molecules for applications in nanomedicine. Our final goal is to reach a system-level description of the biological system under investigation by comprehensive and deep knowledge of the main components.

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

Required Background

Candidates must hold a PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, or a closely related discipline. The following skills are considered essential:

• Solid foundation in protein biochemistry (expression, purification, biophysical characterization)
• Experience in at least one biophysical technique (e.g., fluorescence spectroscopy, ITC, SPR, CD, or equivalent); OR demonstrated expertise in computational biochemistry/bioinformatics (MD simulations, structural modeling, or systems biology)

The following will be considered strong assets:

• Experience with ex vivo retinal models (organotypic cultures, retinal explants, organoids)
• Familiarity with calcium signaling or neuronal signal transduction
• Prior work on inherited retinal diseases or neurodegeneration

Candidates from adjacent disciplines (bioinformatics, structural biology, neuroscience) are welcome provided they can demonstrate clear methodological overlap with the essential requirements above.

Candidates must be eligible according to the criteria established by the 2024 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 cover letter (max 1 page) explaining your motivation, how your background fits the group’s research, and what you hope to achieve during the fellowship
• A short CV including: personal data (name, date of birth, present position), publication list, and the name of one referee who has agreed to provide a recommendation letter
• A research proposal (max 2 pages, excluding references) outlining an original project idea within one or more of the following thematic areas:
  • Molecular mechanisms of inherited retinal dystrophies: structure-function studies of disease-associated variants of calcium sensor proteins or other phototransduction components
  • Therapeutic targeting of the phototransduction cascade: rational design of molecular tools or delivery strategies (protein- or nanoparticle-based) to rescue photoreceptor function
  • Computational modeling of retinal signaling: kinetic/systems biology models of rod or cone phototransduction, or molecular dynamics investigations of protein-protein and protein-ion interactions
  • Ex vivo retinal models: application of organotypic cultures, retinal explants, or organoids to validate molecular findings in a disease-relevant context

Proposals need not be exhaustive — a focused, scientifically sound idea clearly connected to the group’s expertise will be valued over broad ambition. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a video interview before the formal application is submitted.