Professor Daniela Cecconi invites post-docs with strong expertise in untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics of biomedical samples to present expressions of interest in applying jointly with University of Verona (Italy), Department of Biotechnology, for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) on Metabolomics and Lipidomics to Decode Cancer Cell Responses to Mitochondria-Targeting Agents.
This project applies untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics to characterize metabolic reprogramming in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cells treated with novel mitochondria-targeting anticancer compounds. The postdoctoral researcher will establish and optimize LC-MS/MS workflows — covering untargeted metabolomics, lipidomics, and 13C‑labelling fluxomics — and apply them to existing biological samples to identify treatment‑induced dysregulation. Analyses will be performed on an Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid/nanoUHPLC platform using Compound Discoverer. Prior experience with high‑resolution MS, metabolomics data pipelines, and biomedical sample handling is required. The position is based at the University of Verona and contributes to the mechanistic characterization of a novel class of mitochondria‑targeted agents with therapeutic relevance in PDAC.
Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate able to work independently, with a background in analytical chemistry and the following skills: untargeted metabolomics, lipidomics, and fluxomics in complex biological matrices (nanoUHPLC‑Orbitrap Fusion Lumos Tribrid MS preferred); metabolite identification and annotation via Compound Discoverer and metabolite databases; multivariate statistical analysis of large omics datasets; biomedical sample preparation for metabolomics/lipidomics (cell extracts, conditioned media, or equivalent). Experience integrating multiple omics datasets is an advantage, as is the ability to write scientific papers and reports. The fellowship will be hosted at the Proteomics Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona (Italy), with access to instrumentation at the Centro Piattaforme Tecnologiche (CPT).
Hosting research group / Supervisor
Excellent postdoctoral researchers are invited to apply for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) to be hosted at the Department of Biotechnology, University of Verona (Italy).
The Fellow will be supervised by Prof. Daniela Cecconi, Associate Professor in Analytical Chemistry and Director of the Proteomics Research Group at the Department of Biotechnology. The group currently includes a tenure‑track researcher, a PhD student in Biotechnology, and Master's students from the Molecular and Medical Biotechnologies programme. Prof. Cecconi's research focuses on the development and application of proteomics and metabolomics methodologies for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of proteins, peptides, and metabolites in biological samples, with particular emphasis on the characterization of molecular mechanisms of action of novel antitumour agents. She has authored more than 105 peer‑reviewed publications and serves as Associate Editor of the Journal of Integrated OMICS and as Editorial Board member of Journal of Proteomics (Elsevier) and Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio).
Selected candidates will receive full academic and administrative support for proposal preparation from the host Department and the University of Verona Grant Office.
Candidates must be eligible according to the criteria established by the 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral fellowship call:
* To have a PhD at the call deadline (September 9, 2026)
* To have up to 8 years research experience after PhD
* To be citizens of an EU State or of an Associated Country or long‑term resident in Europe (only for Global Fellowship)
* Not to have resided or carried their main activity in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months before call deadline (September 9, 2026) – for European Fellowship
* Not to have resided or carried their main activity in the country of the Host Institution in the third country for more than 12 months in the 36 months before call deadline (September 9, 2026) – for a Global Fellowship.
Besides, candidates should be fluent in English, should have excellent teamwork attitude, organisational skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.
* A short CV including personal data (name, date of birth, present position, name of a referee who has agreed to send a reference letter for you)
* A two‑pages research proposal
* One reference letter should be sent by a referee at the same address
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