Postdoc position in the field of optical microscopy for measuring diffusion dynamics

IIT; Genova; On-site; EUR 21,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health care

ERC MotionPicture project funding

Job summary

IIT – Italian Institute of Technology in Genoa invites applications for a Postdoc position in optical microscopy focused on measuring molecular diffusion dynamics. The appointment is funded for 24 months (+12 renewable) and located at IIT CHT Erzelli, Genoa.

The successful candidate will design a custom confocal laser scanning microscope, develop data analysis pipelines for fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy, and supervise a PhD student within a multidisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• PhD required in physics/biophysics/engineering or related field.
• Documented experience in aligning optical microscopes.
• Strong publication record.
• Ability to report, organize and publish research data.
• Good teamwork and problem-solving attitude.
• Good command of English.

Responsibilities

• Design and implementation of a custom confocal laser scanning microscope for diffusion measurements with FFS.
• Develop a data analysis framework for autonomous, real-time data evaluation for FFS.
• Perform proof-of-principle FFS measurements on test samples.
• Support supervision of a PhD student.

Skills

Publication track record

English proficiency

Teamwork

Data reporting

Education

PhD in physics/biophysics/engineering or related

Tools

LabVIEW

Python

Job description

Postdoc position in the field of optical microscopy for measuring diffusion dynamics

Italy

Commitment & contract: 24 months (+12 renewable)

Location: IIT CHT Erzelli, Genoa, Italy

Step into a world of endless possibilities, together let’s leave something for the future!

At IIT, we are committed to advancing human-centered Science and Technology to address the most urgent societal challenges of our era. We foster excellence in both fundamental and applied research, spanning fields such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid technologies and robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and material sciences, offering a truly interdisciplinary scientific experience. Our approach integrates cutting-edge tools and technology, empowering researchers to push the limits of knowledge and innovation. With us, your curiosity will know no bounds.

We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering diversity in all its forms, creating an inclusive environment. We value the unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives of our people. By embracing diversity, we believe science can achieve its fullest potential.

THE ROLE

You will be working in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary environment, where junior and senior scientists collaborate, each with their expertise, to carry out a scientific activity with a shared research goal.

The Optical Investigation of Dynamical Systems research unit was established in 2026 by Eli Slenders, following the award of an ERC starting grant. The research focuses on the development of optical microscopy systems for measuring molecular diffusion and biomechanical properties in biological systems. This includes designing custom-built optical microscopes, developing control software, and building data analysis pipelines to extract quantitative information from dynamic samples.

Within the research team, your main responsibilities will be:

• Design and implementation of a custom confocal laser scanning microscope, optimized for measuring molecular diffusion with fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy (FFS) by combining pulsed excitation with state-of-the‑art array detectors and photon time‑tagging
• Implementation of a data analysis framework for robust, autonomous, and real‑time data evaluation for FFS
• Proof‑of‑principle FFS measurements on various test samples
• Support the supervision of a PhD student

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A PhD in physics, biophysics, engineering or a related discipline
• Documented experience in aligning optical microscopes
• Strong publication record
• The ability to properly report, organize and publish research data
• The successful candidate should have good practice with teamwork and a problem‑solving attitude.
• Good command of spoken and written English

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Strong motivation to contribute to the establishment and growth of a new research line
• Experience with programming in LabVIEW and/or PythonAbility to work in a challenging and international environment

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• A yearly gross salary up to 35.000 EUR
• Private health care coverage depending on your role and contract
• Candidates from abroad or Italian citizens who have carried scientific research activity permanently abroad and meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a deduction from taxable income of up to 90% from 6 to 13 years.

This position is funded by the European Union through the ERC starting grant project Comprehensive Platform for Correlating Biomolecular Dynamics and Biomechanics with Multiscale Optical Spectroscopy (MotionPicture), No. 101219234.

This position will remain open until filled.

To discover more about life at IIT, visit the dedicated section here: https://www.iit.it/en/work-at-iit