A postdoctoral research fellow position is available in the laboratory of Prof. Stefano Santaguida at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan, Italy.
We are seeking a highly motivated and creative scientist to join our research program focused on understanding the cellular consequences of aneuploidy, a hallmark of human cancers characterized by an abnormal number of chromosomes.
The successful candidate will investigate how aneuploid cells cope with proteotoxic stress arising from chromosome copy-number imbalances, with the goal of identifying the molecular mechanisms that allow cancer cells to maintain protein homeostasis and survive despite extensive alterations in their karyotype.
The project will combine mechanistic cell biology with state-of-the-art proteomic and sequencing approaches, including pulsed Stable Isotope Labeling by Amino acids in Cell culture (pSILAC) and ribosome profiling (Ribo-Seq), to quantitatively investigate protein synthesis and translational regulation in aneuploid cells.
Research activities
The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to activities including:
- Investigating the mechanisms underlying proteotoxic stress and protein homeostasis in aneuploid cells.
- Studying how chromosome copy-number changes affect protein synthesis, protein abundance, and cellular fitness.
- Applying quantitative mass spectrometry-based approaches, including pSILAC, to characterize proteome dynamics and protein turnover.
- Using Ribo-Seq and complementary sequencing approaches to investigate translational regulation in response to aneuploidy.
- Integrating proteomic, transcriptomic, and functional data to identify pathways that enable aneuploid cells to tolerate proteotoxic stress.
- Performing mechanistic validation using molecular and cellular biology approaches.
- Contributing to manuscript preparation, scientific presentations, grant-related activities, and collaborative research projects.
Candidate profile
Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in molecular biology, cell biology, cancer biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, genomics, proteomics, or a related discipline.
Strong candidates will have experience in one or more of the following areas:
- Molecular and cellular biology.
- Cancer biology, chromosome biology, aneuploidy, or genome instability.
- Protein homeostasis, proteotoxic stress, translation, or protein degradation.
- Quantitative proteomics and mass spectrometry.
- Functional genomics and next-generation sequencing.
- Computational analysis of proteomic and/or sequencing datasets.
Excellent spoken and written English, scientific curiosity, strong communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative and multidisciplinary environment are essential.
Research environment
The Santaguida Laboratory at the European Institute of Oncology investigates the mechanisms and consequences of chromosome segregation errors and aneuploidy, with particular emphasis on understanding how altered chromosome numbers affect cellular physiology and contribute to disease.
The successful candidate will work in an international and highly collaborative research environment and will have access to state-of-the-art technologies and expertise in cell biology, genomics, quantitative proteomics, mass spectrometry, and computational biology.
The position offers an excellent opportunity to develop independent scientific expertise at the interface of chromosome biology, proteostasis, quantitative proteomics, and functional genomics, while addressing fundamental questions about the vulnerabilities of aneuploid cancer cells.
Position details
Start date: To be agreed
Duration: Initial 12-month appointment, renewable
Salary: Competitive and commensurate with experience
Application
Applicants should send:
- A cover letter describing their research experience, scientific interests, and motivation for applying.
- A curriculum vitae.
- Contact information for at least two referees.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.
Posted on 13th November 2026