Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology
Organisation / Company University of Teramo Department Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
This postdoctoral project will focus on enrichment of plant-based fermented foods (i.e. olive patè, legumes) with selected lactic acid bacteria as a tool to selectively foster the human fecal microbiota with beneficial bacteria, including bifidobacteria. Evaluation of prebiotic activities of LAB-enriched plant-based fermented foods and beverages with particular focus on bifidogenic activities by the means of simulated digestion process and an ex-vivo simulated colon model (GutModel System) for the screening of gut microbial fermentation processes.
The research will address the following three key questions:
Functional enrichment of plant-based food matrices with selected lactic acid bacteria
Mining the human intestinal condition by an ex-vivo simulated colon model (GutModel System)
Impact of plant-based fermented foods on human gut microbiota by prebiotic and bifidogenic activities
The project aims to:
advance knowledge in Fermented Foods / Gut microbiome ;introduce innovative theoretical and/or methodological perspectives;strengthen interdisciplinary and international approaches;contribute to addressing relevant scientific and societal challenges.
How will you carry out your work?
Methodologically, the project will adopt bioreactor for food fermentation/small scale bioreactors to simulate intestinal fermentation to study food-induced gut microbiota shift (Simulated GutModel System) /established LAB culture collection/preliminary data/instrument equipment’s and software for microbiomics analysis, ensuring scientific rigor, originality, and a high level of ambition.
The selected fellow will be encouraged to progressively develop an independent research profile within this framework.
Who will supervise you – and why is this strong mentoring?
The project will be supervised by Prof. Roberta Prete, an established researcher with strong international experience in Food Microbiology and Host-microbes’ interactions.
Prof. Prete has an active research profile in food microbiology, with particular interest on fermented foods and probiotics associated to fermented foods and their impact on the host by studying microbe-host interactions and human diet-intestinal microbiota relationship in intestinal and in animal models with demonstrated expertise in probiotic characterization of LAB, simulated intestinal models / host-microbes interaction, the impact of the microbiota and probiotics in inflammatory diseases, by applying a multidisciplinary approach in different scientific fields related to the microbiology, and is strongly engaged in international research networks.
The supervisor together with the research group provides a stimulating and supportive environment, fostering scientific independence, excellence, and international exposure.
Why is UniTE a competitive host institution for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship?
The University of Teramo (UniTE) offers a highly structured and supportive environment for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows.
Selected candidates applying to the MSCA PF 2026 call will benefit from:
Full support from the UniTE MSCA Desk throughout the entire pre-award phase ;Dedicated proposal training (MSCA PF Master Class) ;Two-step professional proposal review (sequential reviews before submission).
Funded fellows will also agevolazioni from:
Full support from the UniTE MSCA Desk for the post-award phase;A tailored welcome and mobility support service (arrival, departure, and administrative procedures);Access to LAB cell culture collection /advanced microbial and molecular laboratory equipment’s/food bioreactor and bioreactors for simulating human digestion and ex-vivo intestinal conditions (Gut Model System), other external experimental facilities within national collaborationOpportunities for collaboration with University of Valencia /APC Microbiome Institute/University College Cork) to strengthen the fellow’s international profile;
UniTE is strongly committed to Open Science, Gender Equality, research integrity, and high-quality doctoral and postdoctoral training.
Are you the ideal candidate for this fellowship?
We welcome applications from outstanding early-career researchers who:
hold a PhD in Food Microbiology or related fields;have a strong research background in Gut Microbiome ;demonstrate excellent academic writing skills in English;are motivated to develop an independent and internationally competitive research profile.
What will you gain from this MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship?
By participating in this MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship call, you will be able to address the following key career outcomes:
develop an excellent and innovative research profile in Food Microbiology - Fermented foods and Gut Microbiomeproduce high-quality scientific outputs in leading international journals and outlets;strengthen scientific independence and intellectual leadership.
Impact
enhance your international visibility and reputation within the research community;contribute to the advancement of knowledge and to societal and policy-relevant debates in Fermented foods and Gut Microbiomeactively engage in dissemination, communication, and open science practices.
Employability
acquire advanced transferable skills developing a tailored programme;expand professional networks across academia, policy institutions, and intersectoral stakeholders.improve long-term career prospects within and beyond academia.
Overall, the fellowship will support the fellow’s transition towards a sustainable and competitive research career as an excellent next generation researcher, in line with the objectives of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
How to Apply for the Pre-selection Phase?
Before applying, we invite you to check that you meet all eligibility criteria for the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 by consulting the official European Portal .If you are eligible and interested in choosing UniTE as your Host Institution, please complete the online pre-selection application form by 31 March at 11:00 am (Rome time).
To apply, you will need to submit:
your CV;a short project idea;
Your application will be assessed by UniTE, and you will receive feedback on the outcome within approximately one week.
If selected, you take part in the UniTE MSCA PF Support Programme, designed to help you prepare a strong and competitive proposal. The programme includes:
a proposal writing Masterclass (20 May and 26 May);two proposal review rounds with dedicated feedback.
Final step: with UniTE’s full support, you will submit your MSCA PF proposal through the official European Commission portal, guided throughout the process by the UniTE MSCA Desk.
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