About this role
Laboratory of Cellular and Humoral Innate Immunity
📍 Work location: Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, Pieve Emanuele (MI)
📄 Contract type: Fellowship
Why Humanitas
Choosing Humanitas means joining an environment where quality of care is built every day through clinical expertise, innovation and teamwork, where everyone contributes to the patient care journey.
Who we are
Humanitas Research Hospital is a highly specialized research and university hospital, and the first in Italy to be certified as an Academic Hospital by the Joint Commission International. Research is driven daily by over 500 physicians, biologists, physicists, data scientists, and technologists working across hospital wards and 10,000 sqm of high-tech laboratories. Our mission is to transform discoveries into concrete cures, with a strategic focus on five key areas: cancer, immunology, neuroscience, gastrointestinal medicine, and molecular cardiology.
The context
The Laboratory of Cellular and Humoral Innate Immunity at IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital is seeking a motivated Predoctoral Research Fellow to join a research project funded by the Italian Ministry of Health (Ricerca Finalizzata 2024) .
Our research aims to understand how soluble innate immune effectors (including PTX3 and the complement system ) regulate inflammation, antimicrobial immunity, and bone remodelling during bacterial osteomyelitis and periprosthetic joint infection . By integrating high-content information from experimental models and human clinical samples, we seek to identify novel molecular mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets.
The position offers an opportunity to gain research experience and potentially progress to the PhD program in Molecular, Experimental and Computational Medicine (MECM) at Humanitas University , starting in November 2027, subject to successful admission
The successful candidate will actively contribute to the experimental activities of the project, including:
- performing cell and molecular biology , microbiology , and biochemistry experiments;
- working with cellular models of bacterial infection and host-pathogen interactions;
- investigating pathways involving PTX3, complement, and other soluble innate immune effectors;
- generating, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data in collaboration with senior researchers;
- contributing to scientific publications and conference presentations.
The candidate will also have the opportunity to participate in in vivo studies using mouse models of bacterial osteomyelitis .
The person we are looking for
We are looking for enthusiastic and curious graduates with a strong interest in experimental biomedical research.
Applicants should have:
- basic laboratory experience in cell and molecular biology, microbiology, and/or biochemistry;
- familiarity with mammalian cell culture and standard molecular and biochemical techniques;
- a genuine interest in basic and translational biomedical research;
- motivation, scientific curiosity, and willingness to learn new experimental approaches;
- good communication skills and command of English.
Experience with experimental animal models, particularly mice, will be considered an advantage.
An MSc in Biotechnology, Biology, Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Technologies, or a related discipline is desirable but not essential. Motivation, commitment, and enthusiasm for experimental research will be the primary selection criteria.
The position will be based in the Laboratory of Cellular and Humoral Innate Immunity under the scientific supervision of Prof. Antonio Inforzato (https://www.humanitas-research.com/researchers/antonio-inforzato/) .
The successful candidate will work alongside senior postdoctoral researchers and experienced research technicians , receiving close scientific mentoring and hands-on training. The candidate will join a multidisciplinary research environment bringing together expertise in innate immunity, microbiology, osteoimmunology, proteomics, computational biology, and clinical research
What we offer
- a fully funded 1-year position, starting in January 2027, with a gross salary from 20.000 to 23.000 euro
- the possibility of progressing to a 3-year PhD program in Molecular, Experimental and Computational Medicine (MECM) at Humanitas University, starting in November 2027, subject to successful admission;
- close scientific supervision, hands-on training, and strong technical support;
- access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities;
- a collaborative and international research environment;
- opportunities for scientific publications, international conferences, and professional development.
This offer is open to candidates in compliance with Legislative Decrees 198/2006, 215/2003 and 216/2003.