Job Information
Researcher Profile
First Stage Researcher (R1)
Position
PhD Profile
Application Deadline
20, June, 2026 – time (italian time)
Type Contract
Temporary
Job Status
Full-Time
Offer Starting Date
November 2026
Duration
36 months
Is the job founded through the EU Researcher Framework Programme?
Horizon Europe – MSCA
Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number
No. 101226686
Is the job related to staff position within a Researcher Infrastructure?
No
Offer Description:
University of Foggia, Department of Medical and Surgical Science and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, invites motivated candidates to apply for a fully funded PhD position within the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) – BIO-MICRO Project
Number of Places:
n.1 – Position RF9
RF 9 – We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join the project ‘Investigating the effects of individual micronutrients (MNs) on cellular function in PBMCs in health and inflammation (WP5)’. The candidate will work at the interface of cellular metabolism, and micronutrient biology, performing in vitro experiments to characterise how individual MNs influence mitochondrial function and metabolic pathways in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This position is ideal for someone with a strong interest in experimental cell biology, biochemistry, and the pathophysiology of inflammation.
What will you do
Position RF 9: Investigating the effects of individual MNs on cellular function in PBMCs in health and inflammation
Supervisors: A. Cotoia, C. Piccoli, C. Pacelli, K. Koekkoek
Enrolment in a Doctoral Course: The doctoral course will be selected from among those offered by the medical departments of the University of Foggia for the XLII cycle – academic year 2026/2027, subject to obtaining ministerial accreditation pursuant to Ministerial Decree 226/2021.
Project Description
POSITION RF9 -The project focuses on understanding how individual micronutrients (MNs) influence cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function in health and inflammation. Although MN deficiencies and altered intracellular MN dynamics are frequently observed in critical illness, the mechanistic pathways through which specific vitamins (B1, B6, B9, C, D, E) and trace elements (selenium, zinc) affect immune cell function remain poorly defined. To address these gaps, this project will establish baseline intracellular MN concentrations in PBMCs from healthy adults and investigate how individual MNs modulate mitochondrial activity, metabolic pathways, and oxidative stress. Using controlled in vitro exposure experiments combined with high‑resolution analytical techniques (HPLC, ICP MS, Seahorse XF), the PhD student will characterize MN kinetics, dose‑response relationships, and concentration‑effect patterns. By comparing healthy PBMCs with PBMCs exposed to inflammatory stimuli, the project will clarify how inflammation alters MN distribution and function, ultimately generating mechanistic insights that can inform future clinical strategies to optimize MN status in critically ill patients.
Your main tasks and responsibilities in this project are:
POSITION RF9
- Isolating PBMCs from healthy adults and critically ill patients and performing controlled in vitro exposure to individual micronutrients.
- Measuring intracellular MN concentrations and assessing mitochondrial function and cellular metabolism using established analytical techniques.
- Characterising MN kinetics, dose‑response patterns, and concentration‑effect relationships in healthy and inflamed PBMCs.
- Comparing MN profiles and metabolic responses between health and inflammation.
- Analysing data, preparing scientific outputs, and collaborating with supervisors and project partners.
What do we expect
We seek a highly motivated scientist who is able to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, demonstrates strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, and shows a proactive and curious mindset. The candidate should be precise and well‑organized in experimental work, communicates clearly in both written and spoken form, and should confortable collaborating across clinical and laboratory environments. A strong sense of responsibility, willingness to learn new techniques, and the ability to manage multiple tasks within an international research network are essential. The research project should result in a PhD thesis.
Requirements
To be eligible for this position, applicants must meet the MSCA Doctoral Network eligibility criteria for admission:
- The applicant must not already hold a doctoral degree. Candidates who have successfully defended a PhD thesis but have not yet been formally awarded the degree are considered ineligible.
- The applicant must comply with the MSCA mobility rule: Candidates may be of any nationality but must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Italy for more than 12 months in the three years (36 months) immediately before the recruitment date at University of Foggia.(start of the course).
Skill/Qualifications
In addition, applicant must have following requirements and experience:
- A Master’s degree in a field relevant to the project, such as Biochemistry, Nutrition & Biomedicine, Molecular and Cell Biology, Human Nutrition / Nutritional Sciences.
- The degree must qualify the applicant for enrollment in the Doctoral Course at University of Foggia: a second level academic qualification (according to the Bologna Process) or a Master Degree that gives access to the doctoral courses in the country of origin and that has been released from an officially recognised academic institution. The candidates who already possess equipollence of their title released by the Italian University must attach to the application the relative self-certification (which indicates the extremes of the provision). Eligibility of the foreign qualification that instead hasn’t already been declared equivalent to the degree. This then is verified from a judging commission in accordance to the actual Italian legislation
- Fluency in English (written and spoken) and excellent communication skills;
- Candidates who expect to obtain the required degree no later than the enrolment date for the PhD programme — and in any case by October 31 at the latest — are also eligible to apply. Failure to obtain the degree by this deadline will result in forfeiture of admission. In such cases, admission to the selection process will be granted conditionally, and successful candidates must provide proof of qualification through self-certification, under penalty of exclusion.
Your Working Environment
You will join a vibrant, multidisciplinary research environment that brings together experts in nutrition, immunology, critical care, and cellular metabolism. The project is embedded within a collaborative network of Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences and Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, at University of Foggia and at Policlinico of Foggia . The team culture is highly supportive, interactive, and research‑driven, providing ample opportunities for scientific exchange, co‑supervision, and cross‑disciplinary learning. The research group is led by Prof. Antonella Cotoia (main supervisor), together with Prof. Claudia Piccoli and Prof. Consiglia Pacelli as co‑supervisors, ensuring a rich blend of clinical, biochemical, and cellular expertise. The University of Foggia provides fully autonomous, modern research facilities and infrastructure, offering an excellent environment for conducting high‑quality experimental and translational research.
POSITION RF9 – External supervision in this project comes from partners at MH, a large university‑affiliated clinical teaching hospital in Groningen, the Netherlands. The secondment will have a duration of 6 months during the second year of the PhD, under the guidance of Dr. Kristine Koekkoek (Intensivist and Clinical Researcher, Impact Coordinator) and Prof. Dr. Marianne Nieuwenhuis (Research Coordinator at the MH Burn Centre).
During this period, the researcher will work within the highly specialized environment of the MH Burn Centre, one of the three Dutch Burn Care Centres and part of the national Alliance of Dutch Burn Care. The fellow will analyse micronutrient status in relation to inflammation using blood samples from burn patients enrolled in the clinical observational trial (WP3), as well as samples collected from international burn centres.
The secondment provides access to MH’s extensive clinical research infrastructure, including a dedicated scientific institute for research facilitation, experienced research nurses, senior researchers (including expertise in statistics and methodology), and a specialized Burn Research Lab focusing on inflammation. The fellow will also contribute to clinical data collection in the Dutch Burn Centres, gaining valuable experience in translational research and strengthening the link between laboratory findings and patient‑centred outcomes.
What we offer
This PhD position is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) of the European Union’s Europe 2024 research and innovation program under grant agreement No 101226686. You will be enrolled as fulltime PhD student for 3 years at University of Foggia in a doctoral course will be selected from among those offered by the medical departments of the University of Foggia for the XLII cycle – academic year 2026/2027, subject to obtaining ministerial accreditation pursuant to Ministerial Decree 226/2021.
Salary scale: Market competitive based on a 36 hour week, depending on qualifications and experience. Successful candidates will receive an attractive base-salary in accordance with the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, for 36 months. The exact (net) salary depends on the EU-defined country correction factor, and on local tax regulations (for additional information see EU MSCA website). Exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment.
Doctoral candidates will receive a living allowance of €4010/month (correction factor to be applied per country, and local employer’s contribution and tax regulations). They will also benefit from a monthly mobility allowance of € 710. In additional a family monthly allowance of €660 (if applicable) is on offer to fellows with a spouse and/or child/children. Successful applicants are eligible for parental leave in compliance with the Italian legislature.
In addition to your local PhD training, you will participate in a comprehensive and attractive educational programme specifically designed for the 13 Research Fellows within the BIO-MICRO consortium. The BIO-MICRO training programme offers a blended learning approach that combines monthly interactive live online sessions (60–90 minutes) with in-person workshops. The online curriculum covers essential topics in clinical research, including epidemiology, biostatistics, observational and clinical trial design, statistical computing, and scientific writing. In addition, four intensive three-day in-person workshops are dedicated to the development of both academic and transferable skills. In addition, all fellows will carry out 12 months of secondments and will be enabled to participate in relevant international scientific conferences. Together, this structured training programme is designed to optimally prepare you for a successful career as cellular metabolism, micronutrient biology, and immune-metabolic research expert.
If you don’t have the nationality of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you will need a residence permit to live and work in Italy.
How to apply
Applying for this vacancy will be possible soon.
