Postdoctoral Researcher in Extracellular Vesicles and Flow-Based Bioprocessing

ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA; Genova; On-site; EUR 32,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Private health care coverage

Job summary

ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA Genoa is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher to advance extracellular vesicle production using flow-based and microfluidic methods. You will collaborate in a multidisciplinary team focused on magnetic nanoparticles, vesicles, and immune-cell platforms.

The role emphasizes scalable workflow development, experimental characterization, and contributions to publications under ERC-funded projects. Collaboration contract is 12 months, based in Genoa, Italy.

Qualifications

• PhD in a chemical/biochemical/biomedical, or materials-related field.
• Documented research experience in extracellular-vesicle production, isolation, engineering, or characterization.
• Hands-on experience in cell culture and related assays; immune-cell culture is desirable.
• Experience with microfluidic platforms and flow-based production.
• Strong publication record and proficient English communication.

Responsibilities

• Develop and optimize scalable flow-based and microfluidic workflows for extracellular-vesicle production and engineering, and for immune-cell production and processing.
• Study integration of magnetic nanoparticles with vesicles and/or immune cells, including physicochemical, magnetic, and biological characterization and data analysis.

Skills

Good command of English

Analytical reasoning

Autonomy

Growth mindset

Education

PhD in chemical/biochemical/biomedical/materials science or related

Tools

Microfluidic systems

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher in Extracellular Vesicles and Flow-Based Bioprocessing

Italy

Commitment & contract: collaboration contract 12 months

Location: IIT@CCT-Genoa, Via Morego 30

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 group, where junior and senior scientists collaborate, each with their expertise, to carry out a scientific activity with a shared research goal.

The Nanomaterials for Biomedical Applications Research Unit at IIT Genoa is coordinated by Dr. Teresa Pellegrino. The group develops magnetic nanomaterials and hybrid platforms for biomedical applications. This position will focus on flow-based production, immune-cell platforms, extracellular vesicles, and magnetic nanoparticles.

Within the research team, your main responsibilities will be:

• Develop and optimize scalable flow-based and microfluidic workflows for extracellular-vesicle production and engineering, as well as immune-cell production and processing.
• Study the integration of magnetic nanoparticles with vesicles and/or immune cells, carrying out physicochemical, magnetic, and biological characterization and contributing to data analysis and publications.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A PhD in chemical, biochemical, biomedical, or materials bengineering, biotechnology, nanotechnology, life sciences, or a related discipline
• Documented research experience in extracellular-vesicle production, isolation, engineering, or characterization, and in flow-based or microfluidic production of vesicles or related nanocarriers
• Hands-on experience in cell culture and cell-based assays; experience with immune-cell culture or engineering is highly desirable
• Hands on on microfluidic systems
• A strong publication record
• Good command of spoken and written English

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Experience in liposome formulation, production, or characterization, preferably with flow-based or microfluidic methods, is an advantage
• Knowledge and experience in magnetic-nanoparticle synthesis, functionalization, characterization, or biomedical applications is an advantage
• Familiarity with vesicle and nanoparticle characterization methods, such as NTA, DLS, SEM, or protein assays
• Capacity to work autonomously, strong analytical reasoning, and a growth mindset
• Ability to work in a challenging and international environment

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• A yearly gross salary ranging between euro 32000 and euro 35000
• 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 open position is funded by the European Union through the European Research Council (ERC) under the ERC Consolidator Grant project "GIULIa – Magnetic Hyperthermia for Metastasized Tumor Treatment and Remote Manipulation of Microdevices" Grant Agreement No. 101044020.

Application’s deadline: 25 november 2026

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