3 Postdoctoral Positions - Control of non-coding transcription
Gioacchino Natoli's Lab
(Ref. 2025-10-GN/51)
We are seeking 3 postdoctoral scientists to join Gioacchino Natoli’s Lab at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan for a project funded by the Italian Fund for Science (FIS). The project investigates the mechanisms that control the activity and function of extragenic RNA Polymerase II, leveraging advanced genomics ßtechnologies.
CUP: J53C24004190001
Project Title: The Restrictor complex and the control of extragenic transcription (RESET)
Project Code: FIS-2023-00691
Start date of the contract: January, 2026
Duration: 3 years
Gross salary: 45.000 Euro per year, inclusive of full social security
About the Project
Understanding how cells keep transcription precisely in check is fundamental to genome integrity and normal development. Mammalian genomes contain hundreds of thousands of enhancers and promoters that can release RNA Polymerase II in both directions. If left unchecked, this pervasive initiation generates a massive amount of extragenic RNAs that can disrupt nuclear organization, lead to DNA damage and perturb normal gene regulation.
Our lab has recently discovered Restrictor, a conserved, essential metazoan complex that patrols thousands of non-coding transcription units and halts RNA Pol II with a still unclear mechanism. This non-enzymatic, cleavage-independent off-switch sets Restrictor apart from all known termination pathways and opens new questions about how cells partition productive gene transcription from potentially harmful background noise.
As a postdoc, you will contribute to:
- Dissect the molecular mechanism of Restrictor-driven RNA Pol II dismantling.
- Map its genomic targets.
- Probe the impact of Restrictor loss on genome stability and gene expression programs.
- Collaborate with structural biologists and computational scientists to integrate mechanistic and systems-level insights.
Qualifications:
We seek creative, self-driven scientists with a PhD in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, bioinformatics or a related field. Applicants who will have submitted their PhD thesis by the start date of the contract but have not yet defended it will also be considered eligible. Expertise in chromatin, transcription, or RNA biology is a plus but not required; genuine enthusiasm for tackling fundamental questions with cutting-edge methods is essential.
Application deadlines and modalities:
Applications for participation in the selection must be received no later than 12.00 noon on November 15th, 2025. Applications must be sent through the appropriate link (APPLY Button)
The application must contain:
- a detailed and updated CV, dated and signed, certifying training and professional activities, with specific authorization to process personal data pursuant to art. 13 of GDPR 679/16;
- a cover letter outlining your research interests;
- any document or declaration useful for the assessment by the Examination Board;
- name and contact details of two/three references familiar with your previous work.
The European Institute of Oncology accepts no responsibility for applications not received by the deadline; the official date of receipt shall be the date on which the application is actually received.
Only applications that are complete, include all required documentation and are submitted according to the indicated procedure will be considered.
Selection and evaluation procedure:
The selection of the successful applicants will take place through a comparative evaluation of the candidates based on qualifications and, if considered appropriate, an oral interview. The assessment will include an evaluation of the candidate's curriculum vitae, aimed at verifying the knowledge and skills required for the activities planned in the project.
The oral interview, if conducted, will be aimed at further examining the candidate's professional experience, personal motivation and aptitude, as well as to assess the candidate's availability for the multidisciplinary activities required for the project.
Failure to attend the interview, regardless the reason, will be considered as a withdrawal from the selection process.
Candidate evaluations will be conducted solely for the technical and discretionary purposes of identifying the most suitable candidate for the collaborative relationship covered by this announcement, in accordance with the private autonomy of the European Institute of Oncology pursuant to the Italian Civil Code.
These evaluations will not oblige the European Institute of Oncology to recruit individuals ranked appropriately on the ranking list. Participation in this procedure, therefore, will not entitle the first candidate on the ranking list to be hired.
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 possibleestablishment 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 accordance with the principles of equal opportunity and non-discrimination in employment and remuneration, with particular regard to equality between men and women, pursuant to Legislative Decree No. 198/2006.
Posted on October 14h, 2025