Project: MINING
Commitment & contract: Postdoctoral position 24 months (renewable)
Location: Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies in LECCE, ITALY

WHO WE ARE
At IIT we work enthusiastically to develop human-centered Science and Technology to tackle some of the most pressing societal challenges of our times and transfer these technologies to the production system and society. Our Genoa headquarter is strictly inter-connected with our 11 centers around Italy and two outer-stations based in the US for a truly interdisciplinary experience.

YOUR TEAM

You will be working in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary group. The team is composed by material scientists, nanotechnologists, physicists, neuroscientists, electronic engineers, computational scientists, biotechnologist and biomedical engineers, sharing their expertise to work at the border of these multiple disciplines.

The Multifunctional Neural Interfaces Research Unit is coordinated by Prof. Ferruccio Pisanello, who has extensive experience in the development of new photonic and optoelectrical technologies for interfacing with deep brain regions. You will share with the team the main responsibility of developing a new generation of multifunctional neural endoscope based on a novel type of metasurfaces, in a research falling within the European Commission - ERC CONSOLIDATOR project "Multifunctional nano-bio INterfaces wIth deep braiN reGions" MINING g.a. n° 101125498. MINING aspires at generating a novel class of multifunctional neural endoscopes, able to trigger and detect electrical and molecular signaling with cellular resolution in vivo. The result will be the unprecedented ability to correlate multiple types of signals in the same volume, with spatial and temporal resolution at depth. The limitation of current state of the art will be surmounted by exploiting light-matter interactions in hybrid metal-dielectric metasurfaces and their synergistic integration with organic electrochemical transistors.

The main objectives of MINING are:

1) Devise hybrid metal-dielectric metasurface (HMS) neural endoscopes, enabling simultaneous (i) high- resolution functional imaging of neural signals, (ii) label-free optical monitoring of chemical compounds from both wide and localized brain volumes and (iii) optogenetic and thermoplasmonic modulation of neural functions with cellular resolution.

2) Integration of organic electrochemical transistors on HMSs endoscopes, generating a novel optoelectrical neural interface with cellular resolution based on active electronics.

3) Development of methods for spatial-resolved multifunctional studies, to demonstrate the power of MINING endoscopes to reveal so far hidden patterns of electrochemical functional dynamics in the living mouse brain.

WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU SHINE

• A PhD in nanotechnologies, physics or related disciplines.
• Strong interest or previous experience in micro and technologies applied to photonics and/or photonic sensing.
• Documented experience on micro and nanofabrication and cleanroom technologies, including electron beam evaporation, focused ion beam milling and deposition, electron beam induced deposition
• A strong publication record.
• The ability to properly report, organize and publish research data.
• Documented experience in coaching junior scientists.
• Good command in spoken and written English.

EXTRA AWESOME

• Previous experience in fabrication of metallic or dielectric metasurfaces.
• Good communication skills.
• Strong problem solving attitude.
• High motivation to learn.
• Spirit of innovation and creativity.
• Good in time and priority management.
• Ability to work in a challenging and international environment.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive salary package for international standards.
• Private health care coverage (depending on your role and contract).
• Wide range of staff discounts.

WHAT'S IN FOR YOU?

• An equal, inclusive and multicultural environment ready to welcome you with open arms. Discrimination is a big NO for us!
• We like contamination and encourage you to mingle and discover what other people are up to in our labs!
• If paperwork is not your piece of cake, we got you! There's a specialized team working to help you with that, especially during your relocation!
• If you are a startupper or a business-minded person, you will find some exceptionally gifted professionals ready to nurture and guide your attitude and aspirations.
• If you want your work to have a real impact, in IIT you will find an innovative and stimulating culture that drives our mission to contribute to the improvement and well-being of society!
• We stick to our values! Integrity, courage, societal responsibility and inclusivity are the values we believe in! They define us and our actions in our everyday life. They guide us to accomplish IIT mission!

If you feel this tickles your appetite for change, do not hesitate and apply!

Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed CV, university transcripts, cover letter (outlining motivation, experience and qualifications) and contact details of 2 references.

Application's deadline: 1st April 2025

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Your data will be processed by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, based in Genoa, Via Morego 30, acting as Data Controller, in compliance with the rules on protection of personal data, including those related to data security.

Please also note that, pursuant to articles 15 et. seq. of European Regulation no. 679/2016 (General Data Protection Regulation), you may exercise your rights at any time by contacting the Data Protection Officer (phone Tel: +39 010 28961 - email: dpo@iit.it ).