At Nanobiocomp, we are always keen on receiving your applications. If you are looking for a post-doc and you have some computational experience in the field of condensed matter physics or biophysics, just drop us an email. If you are a master student and you are interested in a Ph.D. fellowship, you may apply to Unige's PhD programme in Physics. For more specific inquiries on job opportunities and current projects, please contact Prof. Giulia Rossi and Prof. Riccardo Ferrando directly.
OPEN POSITIONS
We have several openings!
Postdoc position n.1 (NEW!)
The virtual EV (v-EV): a digital twin of extracellular vesicles for health and food
Project abstract Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are biological nanoparticles emerging as inter-cellular communication agents in key physiological and pathological processes. For this reason, EVs show promise in diverse therapeutic and diagnostic applications. However, the field is currently experiencing a paradigm paralysis, because of the lack of theoretical and simulation tools capable of bridging the EV molecular constituents to their mesoscale properties and to their function. Thanks to a synergistic approach that combines multi-resolution simulations and advanced sampling methods, v-EV will develop an integrated digital twin that will enable researchers and industrial users to construct and simulate EVs with user-specific characteristics.
The work will be led in close collaboration with A. Giacomello, University of Rome Sapienza, Italy, in the framework of the Virtual EV (v-EV) project funded by MUR (P2022EKHKL).
Requirements Candidates should have completed a PhD or a Master in physics, chemistry, biology, material science or related areas. We will positively evaluate:
· good programming skills (C++, python)
· past experience with molecular simulation techniques (Molecular Dynamics, Monte Carlo) in the areas in the soft matter area
· experience with enhanced sampling techniques
· experience with the development of coarse-grained models for MD
When? The position will be formally open soon, and the contract should start ideally in March 2024. The contract will have a duration of 1+1 years, possibly renewable for a 3rd year.
Contacts:
Giulia Rossi, Physics Department, University of Genoa, IT
giulia.rossi@fisica.unige.it
Requests for further information and expression of interests are welcome and can be sent via email to Prof. Giulia Rossi, with the subject line “[post-doc 2024]”. Please include a curriculum vitae and the name and email contact of 3 references.
Postdoc position n.2
Unveiling the interaction between lipid rafts and amyloid oligomers at the neuronal membrane via atomistic and coarse-grained simulations
Project abstract Alterations in the structure and dynamics of lipid rafts correlate with abnormal protein distribution and aggregation, distinctive hallmarks of widespread neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's.The aggregation pathway of small amyloid-beta peptide oligomers, possibly influenced by free lipids in solution, can determine the structure of the oligomers and the degree of physical damage they exert on the membrane. However, due to the enormous complexity of the biological environment and the lack of resolution of in-vivo experimental techniques, the investigation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the interplay between neuronal lipid rafts, free lipids in solution, and amyloid peptides is still far from conclusive results. The project aims to unveil the fundamental mechanisms by which neuronal lipid rafts and free lipids in solution drive the aggregation of amyloid peptides into small oligomers and, conversely, by which different oligomers can damage both healthy and diseased neuronal membranes. By answering fundamental questions at the interface between physics, biology, and chemistry, the outcomes of this project will improve our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Alzheimer's disease and hopefully impact its treatment, suggesting new intervention routes.
The work will be led in close collaboration with Dr. V. Conti Nibali, University of Messina, Italy, in the framework of the NeuRaftAmyl project funded by MIUR.
Requirements Candidates should have completed a PhD in physics, chemistry, biology, material science or related areas. We will positively evaluate:
· good programming skills (C++, python)
· past experience with molecular simulation techniques (Molecular Dynamics, Monte Carlo) in the areas of biophysics and soft matter
· experience with enhanced sampling techniques
· experience with the development of coarse-grained models for MD
When? The position will be formally open soon, and the contract should start ideally in March/April 2024. The contract will have a duration of 1+1 years, possibly renewable for a 3rd year.
Contacts
Davide Bochicchio, Physics Department, University of Genoa, IT
davide.bochicchio@fisica.unige.it
Requests of further information and expression of interests are welcome and can be sent via email to Dr. Davide Bochicchio, with the subject line “[post-doc 2023]”. Please include a curriculum vitae and the name and email contact of 3 references.