MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 – Hosting Opportunity in Cellular Senescence and Metabolic Aging

10 Apr 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II

Department

Department of Translational Medical Sciences

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology
Medical sciences » Health sciences
Other

Researcher Profile

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Positions

Postdoc Positions

Application Deadline

24 May 2026 - 21:57 (UTC)

Country

Italy

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Offer Starting Date

10 Apr 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - MSCA

Reference Number

MSCA-PF-2026-SPINELLI-UNINA

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Job Description

The Department of Translational Medical Sciences at the University of Naples Federico II invites expressions of interest from outstanding postdoctoral researchers wishing to apply for the 2026 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF).

The fellowship will be hosted in the Laboratory of Metabolic Epigenetics and Cellular Senescence under the supervision of Dr. Rosa Spinelli (Assistant Professor in Clinical Pathology).

This opportunity is designed for candidates aiming to develop an ambitious and competitive MSCA-PF proposal within a strongly translational and interdisciplinary research environment.

Scientific Context

Deciphering how metabolic stress becomes biologically embedded within cellular systems is a central challenge in the biology of aging and disease.

Our research investigates how chronic metabolic perturbations are encoded through cellular senescence and become biologically embedded across tissues, positioning senescence as a key integrative mechanism linking environmental exposures, metabolic dysfunction, and long-term disease risk.

By integrating multi-layered omics, RNA biology, and deeply phenotyped human cohorts, we dissect how senescence programs are established, maintained, and propagated across metabolically active tissues. Particular emphasis is placed on regulatory axes connecting epigenetics, RNA dynamics, and stress responses to senescence states, including pathways such as the ZMAT3–p53 axis.

This work bridges molecular mechanisms with clinically relevant phenotypes, enabling the identification of circulating signatures of tissue-specific senescence and informing precision-oriented strategies in cardiometabolic disease, including the rational development of senescence-targeted therapeutic approaches.developing

Research Environment

The host laboratory operates within a multidisciplinary environment integrating Laboratory Medicine, Internal Medicine, Bioinformatics, Medical Statistics, and Pharmacology.

The fellow will benefit from access to advanced molecular and omics platforms, deeply phenotyped human cohorts, and direct interaction with clinicians.

The laboratory is actively involved in COST Action SENESCENCE2030 and maintains collaborations with leading European research centres, providing opportunities for secondments, co-supervision, and integration into international research networks.

Candidate Profile

We are seeking highly motivated and independent-minded candidates with a strong background in molecular biology, epigenetics, metabolism, cellular senescence, or related computational disciplines.

Applicants should demonstrate the potential to develop an original and competitive MSCA-PF proposal aligned with cutting-edge questions in senescence and metabolic aging.

Candidates must comply with MSCA mobility rules.

What We Offer

The selected candidate will receive dedicated support throughout the MSCA-PF application process, including proposal co-design, scientific mentorship, and integration into an international research network.

The research environment is designed to foster scientific independence, interdisciplinary training, and long-term career development.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates are invited to submit an Expression of Interest through the following link:
https://www.edc.dismet.unina.it/surveys/?s=EFCWETDKFJ3CP89H

Applications will undergo an initial screening to assess eligibility and scientific profile. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a preparatory webinar and will subsequently receive dedicated support in the development of a competitive MSCA-PF proposal.

Keywords

cellular senescence; metabolic aging; epigenetics; RNA biology; cardiometabolic disease; multi-omics; translational research; systems biology; senescence-associated signatures; MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship

Where to apply

Website

https://www.edc.dismet.unina.it/surveys/?s=EFCWETDKFJ3CP89H

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

PhD in molecular biology, cell biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline.
Solid background in cellular senescence, metabolism, epigenetics, or aging research.
Experience with molecular and cellular biology techniques and/or omics approaches.
Knowledge of RNA biology and gene regulation is considered an asset.
Experience in bioinformatics or computational analysis of omics data is a plus.
Demonstrated analytical thinking, scientific writing skills, and ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment. 

Specific Requirements

Applicants must hold a PhD at the time of the call deadline and comply with MSCA mobility rules (i.e., must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months preceding the call deadline).
Candidates should demonstrate the potential to develop an independent and competitive MSCA-PF proposal.
A publication record appropriate to career stage will be considered an advantage.
Previous experience in an international research environment will be considered an asset.
Only candidates fulfilling MSCA eligibility criteria will be considered.the 

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Good

Research Field

Biological sciences » BiologyMedical sciences » Health sciences

Internal Application form(s) needed
MSCA_PF_Hosting_Announcement.pdf
English
(152.1 KB - PDF)
Download
Additional Information
Benefits

The selected candidate will receive dedicated support in the preparation of a competitive MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship application.
The position offers access to a stimulating and interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of molecular biology and translational medicine, including advanced experimental platforms and clinically relevant resources.
The fellow will benefit from structured mentorship in project design and proposal development, with particular emphasis on the consolidation of an independent research profile.
Integration into an international research network will provide opportunities for collaboration, scientific exchange, and long-term career development within the European research landscape.

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must be eligible according to the criteria established by the 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship call:

• Hold a PhD at the call deadline (9 September 2026).
• Have a maximum of 8 years of research experience from the date of award of the PhD (in accordance with MSCA rules).
• Comply with the MSCA mobility rule:
  • European Fellowships: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.
  • Global Fellowships: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the host institution in the third country for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.
• Applicants of any nationality are eligible.

Selection process

Applications will undergo an initial screening to assess eligibility and scientific profile.
Shortlisted applicants will take part in a preparatory webinar introducing the MSCA-PF scheme, the research environment, and the proposal development process.
Following this stage, a subset of candidates will be considered for an interview.
One candidate will then be selected for the joint development of a competitive MSCA-PF proposal in close collaboration with the host laboratory. The successful candidate will receive dedicated support throughout the proposal development phase, including project design, scientific mentoring, and integration into the research environment.

Additional comments

This opportunity is intended for candidates with a clear scientific vision who aim to develop a competitive MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal within a focused and intellectually stimulating research environment.
Particular attention will be given to originality, conceptual depth, and the potential to consolidate an independent research profile in the field of cellular senescence and metabolic aging.

 

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Naples Federico II

Country

Italy

City

Naples

Postal Code

80131

Street

via Sergio Pansini 5

Geofield

Contact

State/Province

Italy

City

Napoli

Website

https://www.unina.it/

Street

Corso Umberto I, 40

Postal Code

80138

E-Mail

rosa.spinelli2@unina.it

STATUS: EXPIRED

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