MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship on Regenerative Medicine and 3D Bioprinting

Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology

Organisation / Company Università degli Studi di Verona Department Surgery, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology Laboratory Prometeo NanoLab Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Professor Luca Giacomello

invites scholars to present expressions of interest in applying jointly with Prometeo NanoLab for a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA‑PF) on placenta‑derived mesenchymal stem cells, 3D bioprinting applications and regenerative medicine.

Placenta‑derived mesenchymal stem cells (PMSCs) are a promising source for regenerative medicine due to their accessibility, high proliferative capacity, and immunomodulatory properties. Isolated from the fetal side of term placentas, they can be obtained through non‑invasive and ethically acceptable procedures. Increasing attention is being given to culturing PMSCs in three‑dimensional hydrogel systems that mimic the biochemical and mechanical features of the extracellular matrix. These 3D environments enhance cell viability, maintain stemness, and support paracrine activity involved in tissue repair and angiogenesis.

Three‑dimensional bioprinting enables the precise deposition of cells and biomaterials to fabricate tissue‑like structures. When combined with PMSCs and hydrogel‑based bioinks, this technology allows the creation of biomimetic scaffolds that support cell viability and differentiation. Such systems provide reproducible and customizable platforms for engineering functional tissue models.

The integration of PMSCs with 3D bioprinting offers new opportunities for regenerative medicine and in vitro disease modeling. Bioprinted constructs can reproduce physiologically relevant tissue architectures, enabling more accurate studies of disease mechanisms and drug responses. These platforms may also support the development of personalized regenerative therapies while reducing reliance on animal models.

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.

Prometeo NanoLab headed by Prof. Luca Giacomello is a joint laboratory born from the collaboration of the University of Verona and the company Nanomnia. The team combines different professional expertise in terms of biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology, with a focus on translational medicine and signal transduction.

The laboratory is equipped with cutting‑edge technologies as the confocal microscopy Cell Discoverer 7, which also allows live cell imaging, and two 3D bioprinters, extrusion and DLP (digital light processing)‑based. Moreover, the equipment includes molecular and cellular biology instrumentation (such as RT‑PCR machines, cell incubators, sterile hoods, and microscopes).

The laboratory of Prometeo NanoLab is located in the L.U.R.M. (University Laboratory of Medical Research) Research Center of the University of Verona, a multidisciplinary center equipped with different instrumentation and dedicated staff. As part of L.U.R.M., Prometeo NanoLab has full access to technological equipment as flow cytometer, a cell sorting facility, Leica‑Thunder microscope, mass spectrometry apparatuses and spectrophotometers.

Selected candidates will be offered both academic and administrative support from the Centre / Department and the University of Verona Grant Office with regards 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 by a referee at the same address