Postdoc position in Addressing RNA-protein interactions at the molecular scale using an advanced optical microscopy platform
- (2400007C)

Commitment & contract: collaboration contract – up to 24 months
Project: National Center for Gene Therapy and Drugs based on RNA Technology, Investimento 1.4 –“ Potenziamento strutture di ricerca e creazione di “campioni nazionali di R&S” su alcune Key Enabling Technologies”, Componente 2 “Dalla ricerca all’impresa” del Piano Nazionale di Ripresa e Resilienza.
EPNRRCN306 CUP J33C22001130001
Location: CHT - IIT Genova - Erzelli
WHO WE ARE

You will be working in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary research group headed by Prof. Alberto Diaspro, where experts collaborate towards the development of novel technologies and instruments for fundamental research in optics, life sciences and smart materials at the nanometer scale integrated with focused applications in oncology and neuroscience.
We are experienced, beyond super-resolved optical approaches, in the research areas related to quantum microscopy of two-photon excitation/absorption and of single photon detection using SPAD arrays. At our lab you will find a multicultural and multidisciplinary international research environment where physics, biophysics, photonics, bioengineering, optics and computer science including AI are merged in a kind of melting pot with the aim of conceiving, designing, realizing, utilizing methods and techniques to study biological systems to advance nanosciences and life sciences (https://www.iit.it/it/web/nanoscopy-and-nikon-centre-iit).
For this specific project, we aim to develop original and effective approaches to study RNA-protein interactions directed specifically towards our molecular candidates related to the remodeling of nuclear architecture and chromatin organization during neoplastic transformation/progression of Neuroblastoma (NB) cells. Our approach is at the nanoscale level focusing on the interactions of the non-coding RNAs (nc RNAs) with proteins regulating cell proliferation/differentiation. The non-coding RNA NDM29 has been identified as a controller of inhibition of genes sustaining tumor malignancy, and its expression contrasts the development and progression of the malignant phenotype of a NB cell line. This nc RNA acts as a ribonucleoparticle together with some cytoplasmic proteins presumably affecting the translation efficiency of its RNA targets. Understanding this interaction will have potential application implications, allowing the identification of molecules with pharmacological action capable of acting at this level and thus pushing malignant cells towards differentiation. So far, high-resolution (confocal) and super-resolution (STED, STORM, MINFLUX) microscopy techniques are used to evaluate the structural modifications of chromatin and nuclear organization at the nanoscale level to be linked with cooperative behaviors imaged by label-free methods like phase contrast and Mueller matrix microscopy. In parallel we aim to identify the epigenetic differences of chromatin domains of interest to investigate the correlation with the expression of specific target transcripts.
We believe it is crucial to integrate the results obtained with this multidisciplinary approach (genetic engineering / molecular biology / biophysics) with an accurate evaluation, in the different stages of tumorigenesis, of the interactions of specific RNA transcripts in the selected chromatin domains with multiprotein complexes capable of determining structural epigenetic modifications of the chromatin using an advanced optical platform enabling to scale across spatial and temporal dimensions of cellular and molecular imaging. In this regard, we are also interested in the development of a panel of specific RNA-protein interaction investigations to highlight a new level of knowledge of this model of tumorigenesis and to identify new molecular determinants as possible early therapeutic targets in order to develop new direct pharmacological approaches to the chromatin changes responsible for the malignant development of the tumor.
The research is linked with the PNRR EU projects including SEELIFE, Eurobioimaging, COMULIS, MOSBRI and INSTRUCT and the technical scientific collaborations with Nikon, Leica, Advent (Olympus), Spectra Physics and Coherent companies. Two registered marks, LIQUITOPY® (LIQUId Tunable microsc OPY) and MOMIX® (Multimodal Optical Microscopy Image Correlation Sensing), represent a groundbreaking development of the optical microscope carried out at Diaspro Lab with the ambition of establishing a new paradigm in data collection and image formation with high impact in biophysics, bioengineering and biomedicine.
Within such framework we are looking for a Postdoc interested and able to contribute to the above reported research and endowed of a multidisciplinary background in the areas of genetic engineering, molecular and cellular biology, and nanoscale biophysics.

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU SHINE

• Ph D background with an interdisciplinary approach to key problems and topics regarding Applied Biology and Biophysics.

• Documented experience and skills to solve practical problems in biophysics including optical methods and genetic approaches.

• The ability to properly collect, analyze, report, organize and publish research data.

• Good command in spoken and written English.

EXTRA AWESOME

• Experience on optical fluorescence microscopy with specific ability in sample preparation and bioimaging.

• Knowledge of Image processing and statistical software.

• Good communication skills.

• Strong problem-solving attitude.

• High motivation to learn.

• Spirit of innovation and creativity.

• Ability to work in a challenging and international environment.

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary package for international standards

• Private health care coverage

• Wide range of staff discounts

• Candidates from abroad or Italian citizens who permanently work abroad and meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a deduction from taxable income of up to 90% from 6 to 13 years.

WHAT’S IN FOR YOU?

• An equal, inclusive and multicultural environment ready to welcome you with open arms. Discrimination is a big NO for us!

• We like contamination and encourage you to mingle and discover what other people are up to in our labs!

• If paperwork is not your piece of cake, we got you! There’s a specialized team working to help you with that, especially during your relocation!

• If you are a startupper or a business-minded person, you will find some exceptionally gifted professionals ready to nurture and guide your attitude and aspirations.

• If you want your work to have a real impact, in IIT you will find an innovative and stimulating culture that drives our mission to contribute to the improvement and well-being of society!

• We stick to our values! Integrity, courage, societal responsibility and inclusivity are the values we believe in! They define us and our actions in our everyday life. They guide us to accomplish IIT mission!

Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed CV, university transcripts, cover letter (outlining motivation, experience and qualifications) and contact details of 2 references.
Application’s deadline: November 6th 2024
We inform you that the information you provide will be used solely for the purposes of evaluating and selecting professional profiles in order to meet the requirements of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.
Your data will be processed by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, based in Genoa, Via Morego 30, acting as Data Controller, in compliance with the rules on protection of personal data, including those related to data security.
Please also note that, pursuant to articles 15 et. seq. of European Regulation no. 679/2016 (General Data Protection Regulation), you may exercise your rights at any time by contacting the Data Protection Officer (phone Tel: +39 010 28961 - email: dpo@iit.it ).

Primary Location GENOVA ERZELLI

Job Postdoc

Organization Nanoscopy & NIC@IIT

Job Posting Oct 22, 2024, 5:24:42 AM