A postdoctoral position is immediately available in the Unit of Gynecological Oncology Research, directed by UgoCavallaro, at the European Institute of Oncology, IFOM-IEO Campus, Milan, Italy, to study new molecular mechanisms and players involved in the crosstalk between the tumor microenvironment and cancer stem cells in ovarian carcinoma (Battistini et al., Cell Death Dis 2024, Nieddu et al, Cell Death Dis 2023, Lupia et al, Int J Cancer 2022, Giordano et al, J Exp Clin Cancer 2021, Lupia et al, Stem Cell Reports 2018; Francavilla et al, Cell Reports 2017; Zecchini et al, EMBO Mol Med 2011).
The postdoc will employ a series of experimental resources ranging from co-culture systems in microfluidic chips to mouse cancer models and patient-derived tumoroids in order to dissect the functional role of microenvironment-derived cues on cancer stem cell-related properties. In particular, she/he will investigate tumor initiation, therapy resistance and the modulation of antitumor immunity.
Notably, the close interaction with the Division of Gynecology grants the opportunity to investigate patient-specificexperimental models of high clinical relevance.
Further info on research activities of the group is available at https://www.research.ieo.it/research-and-technology/principal-investigators/ugo-cavallaro/.
We are looking for a highly motivated scientist willing to apply a wide range of cutting-edge cell and molecular biology techniques (primary cell cultures, organotypic models, tumoroids, immune-related assays, etc.), as well as mouse models of tumorigenesis, to define the impact of tumor microenvironment-derived signals on ovarian cancer pathophysiology and response to treatments.
Job requirements:
- PhD in Molecular Oncology, Cancer Biology or other related disciplines
- Solid expertise in cellular and molecular biology
- Previous experience with 3D cellular models
- Strong motivation and research commitment
- Excellent analytical and organization skill
- Ability to work in team conjugated with independence
- Fluency in English
Competitive salary and type of contract will depend on the candidate’s track record and experience. The position is for one year and is renewable.
Processing of personal Data
The personal data, compulsorily provided, will be processed in compliance with Legislative Decree no. 101 of 10 August 2018, which adapts the Personal Data Protection Code (Legislative Decree no. 196 of 30 June 2003) to the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, and only for the fulfilments related to this procedure and for those consequent to the possible establishment of the working relationship, according to what is also provided for in the privacy policy, which must be accepted by each candidate at the time of sending his/her application.
Equal opportunities
This notice is issued in compliance with equal opportunities between men and women for access to employment (L. 903/77) and economic treatment, pursuant to Legislative Decree no. 198/2006.
Applicants should send their CV along with a brief motivation letter and with the name and contact details of two/three references.
Posted on 11th December 2025