3 years PhD position - MSCA project METAMIC 3 Project

17 Feb 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

University of Pisa

Department

Department of Biology

Research Field

Biological sciences » Biology

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

PhD Positions

Application Deadline

16 Mar 2026 - 12:00 (Europe/Rome)

Country

Italy

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 May 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - MSCA

Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number

101225682

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

No

Offer Description

The advertised doctoral position will be carried out at the University of Pisa (https://www.unipi.it/ ; https://www.biologia.unipi.it/) with the most of the research work carried out at the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB:https://www.icgeb.org/ ) in Trieste over a period of 36 months. The recruited researcher will be supervised by Prof. Mariagrazia Di Luca (https://www.icgeb.org/mariagrazia-di-luca/ ). The doctoral candidate will be registered for the PhD programme at the Università Di Pisa, Italy. 

The PhD project aim to i) develop high-content screening of microbial effectors to be used against both planktonic and biofilm-embedded bacteria based on high-resolution confocal microscopy and Operetta system, including fluorescent labelling of phages by click chemistry; ii) isolate and molecular characterize new bacteriophages targeting specific human bacteria of different microbiomes by phage enrichment from environmental samples using different bacteria as host iii) test bacteriophages and other effectors (such as antimicrobial peptides) against specific pure culture bacteria by using methods developed in objective i); iv) analyse in silico and metaproteomics phageome present in microbiomes and prediction of phage-host interaction; v) design a manufacturing process for selected phage candidates for future applications, and vi) develop a biobank collecting phages, antimicrobial peptides, and novel antibiotics. The project will confirm the mode of action and specificity of the microbial effectors targeting validation of the results. Moreover, the project will allow the selection of phages and antimicrobial peptides as candidates for the development of new drug to be applied according to the One Health Approach.

The Phd position (DC13) is offered within the project “METAMIC 3 – Metaproteome-based Leveraged Microbiome Management in the Context of One Health”, funded under the HORIZON–MSCA–2024–DN call.    

The METAMIC 3 Project (Metaproteome-based leveraged microbiome management in the context of One Health) is a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network which addresses key One Health challenges by investigating microbiomes across human, animal, and environmental systems (https://metamic3.isas.de/ ). Using advanced metaproteomics, METAMIC 3 aims to unravel the functional dynamics of microbial communities and their response to microbial effectors such as antimicrobial peptides and phages. By developing and applying next-generation analytical workflows, the network seeks to enable targeted microbiome modulation and restoration strategies.

The consortium brings together leading European universities, research institutes, and industry partners, providing an interdisciplinary and international research environment. Doctoral Candidates will receive comprehensive training in microbiology, analytical technologies, bioinformatics, and translational research. The programme includes structured training events, transferable skills development, and international secondments across academic and non-academic sectors.

METAMIC 3 offers a unique opportunity to join a collaborative European network at the forefront of microbiome research, preparing a new generation of scientists to develop innovative solutions for health, biotechnology, and environmental sustainability.

The PhD work will also include a research stay of up to four months at the spin-off company Fagoterapia LAB s.r.l.  (www.fagoterapia.it Pisa, Italy), providing training in developing phage therapy for human use. Moreover, the project envisages the following secondment: a three-months secondment to D. Benndorf’s lab at the Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Köthen, Germany, for click chemistry labeling of phage proteins.

Where to apply

E-mail

mariagrazia.diluca@unipi.it

Requirements

Research Field

Biological sciences

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• Applicants must hold a Master’s degree in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Pharmacy or a closely related field.
• Conditions of international mobility of researchers: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their recruiting organization (Italy) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.
• A strong command of written and spoken English is required.
• Good organisation and communication skills, willing to travel for short or longer periods.
• Flexible and co-operative with a well-structured and autonomous working style.

Specific Requirements

Experience in at least one of the following areas:

• Microbiology,
• Bacteriology,
• Microbiome,
• multi-OMICS technologies (e.g., metagenomics and metaproteomics),
• Bioinformatics

Other valuable skills are detailed below:

• Bacteria manipulation in Biosafety level II
• Isolation and characterisation of bacteriophages
• Genome extraction and molecular cloning
• DNA sequencing
• Peptide synthesis, purification and labelling
• Click-chemistry techniques
• Bioinformatic analysis of Bacteria/Virus genomes
• Antimicrobial assays in bacteria
• Bacterial biofilm analysis
• High resolution microscopy analysis.

Languages

ENGLISH

Level

Excellent

Years of Research Experience

None

Additional Information
Benefits

The contract is for 3 years and the official start date of the contract is 01.05.2026 (one month later would also be acceptable).

Contract type according to national legislation and MSCA Doctoral Networks requirements.

The monthly gross salary will comprise a living allowance (€4010/month corrected with the country factor of the recruiting institution, including compulsory deductions under national law, such as employer and employee social security contributions and direct taxes), mobility allowance (€710/month) and if applicable a family allowance (€660/month). The family allowance will be implemented if the doctoral candidate has or acquires family obligations (i.e. marriage or relationship with equivalent status to a marriage recognised by the legislation of the country or region where this relationship was formalised or dependent children who are actually being maintained by the researcher) during the action duration. 

Eligibility criteria

Candidates must have a master's degree or a similar degree with an equivalent academic level in Biology, Biotechnology, Bioscience (or equivalent), master’s degree that gives access to a PhD program in the country where it was obtained and meets the admission requirements of the PHD program of the university for this position. In order to be recruited to the network as a doctoral candidate, applicants must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree (i.e. a Ph.D. degree).

Conditions of international mobility of researchers: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their recruiting organization (Italy) for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. For more info on MSCA-DN visit the website https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/doctoral-ne… .

Selection process

Interested candidates are strongly advised to carefully read the job description and eligibility criteria before applying. For inquiries, please contact Prof. Mariagrazia Di Luca at mariagrazia.diluca@unipi.it

The application must sent by e-mail to mariagrazia.diluca@unipi.it  including the following documents in PDF format: 

1. Covering letter (max. one page);

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position;

3. A copy of the degree certificate or a written statement from the institution if the certificate has not been issued;

4. Publication list;

5. Names and contact information (email address) of two references (if available).

Please use the formula “METAMIC3 – APPLICATION DC13” in the object of your correspondence. 

Eligible applicants will undergo a pre-selection evaluation based on the CV, experience and skills. Short-listed applicants will be invited for an interview with the evaluation committee members: Prof. Mariagrazia Di Luca (University of Pisa), Prof. Rober Heyer (Leibniz-Institut fuer Analytische Wissenschaften), Dr. Giuseppe Maccari (Fagoterapia LAB s.r.l.),  Dr. Melanie Heghmanns (METAMIC 3 Project manager)

Recruitment will follow the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their Recruitment.

Additional comments

Approval and Enrollment in the PhD programme

The activation of the Phd position is subject to academic approval by the University, to be made after the selection process. The candidate will be enrolled in one of the PhD programmes (PhD Program in Biology) at the Department of Biology of University of Pisa, under the supervision of Prof. Mariagrazia Di Luca.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

University of Pisa

Country

Italy

City

Pisa

Geofield

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

Country

Italy

City

Trieste

Geofield

Contact

City

Pisa

Website

https://www.biologia.unipi.it/

Street

Via Ghini, 13

Postal Code

56123

E-Mail

amministrazione@biologia.unipi.it
mariagrazia.diluca@unipi.it

STATUS: EXPIRED

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