UNICAM is pleased to support excellent researchers interested in applying for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships 2025. Below you can explore the key research topics offered by our academic staff, together with the supervisors who are available to host and support applicants throughout the fellowship.

Tweaking sleep infraslow fluctuations of the EEG signal to improve glymphatic clearance in neurodegenerative diseases. 

Macroarea: Neurosciences
Supervisor: Prof. Michele Bellesi - School of Biosciences and Biotechnology
Contact: michele.bellesi@unicam.it

Project Overview

This project investigates whether modulating infra-slow fluctuations of EEG sigma power (ISFS) during sleep can enhance noradrenergic activity and glymphatic clearance in an Alzheimer’s disease (AD) mouse model. Using closed-loop sensory stimulation (auditory or vestibular), it aims to determine optimal ISFS phases to reduce beta-amyloid accumulation. It integrates neuroscience, biomedical engineering, and sleep research.

Laboratory & Facilities

The lab includes an animal sleep laboratory (microdialysis, electrophysiology, calcium imaging), behavioral testing tools, molecular biology and histology labs, and a high-end human sleep laboratory (video-polysomnography). It is recognized by the European Sleep Research Society and part of the DREAM consortium.

Research Network & Funding

Prof. Bellesi is affiliated with the Society for Neuroscience, European Sleep Research Society, World Sleep Society, Italian Sleep Academy (AIMS), Italian Society of Neuroscience (SINS), and Italian Society of Neurology (SIN). His research is funded by the Wellcome Trust, Bial Foundation, and Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR).

Ideal Candidate

Background in neuroscience or biomedical engineering, interest in sleep research and neurodegeneration; experience with electrophysiology or animal models is a plus.

Gut microbiota, gut brain axis and bacterial extracellular vesicles: from mechanisms to therapy

Macroarea: Clinical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Supervisor: Prof. AnnaMaria Eleuteri - School of Biosciences and Biotechnology
Contact: annamaria.eleuteri@unicam.it

Project Overview

The project explores the role of extracellular vesicles and postbiotics in gut-brain axis communication and their potential to counteract oxidative stress, AGEs, and intestinal inflammation in ageing and neurodegeneration. Analyses will include proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics of bacterial secretomes.

Laboratory & Facilities

Prof. Eleuteri’s labs include equipment for HPLC, TEER systems, cell culture, 2D electrophoresis, and western blotting. University-wide access includes omics platforms, microscopy, mass spectrometry, and animal facilities.

Research Network & Funding

Collaborations include Pennington Biomedical Research Center (USA) and Zhengzhou University of Light Industry (China). She is active in international networks in biochemistry and molecular biology.

Ideal Candidate

Life sciences or molecular biology background; interest in microbiota-host interaction, postbiotics, and cellular stress.

Interactions between microbial symbionts and insect vectors

Macroarea: Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Biology, Applied Life Sciences and Non-Medical Biotechnology
Supervisor: Prof. Guido Favia – School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine
Contact: guido.favia@unicam.it

Project Overview

The research investigates microbial symbionts' roles in vectorial capacity, insecticide resistance, environmental adaptation, and microbial competition in mosquitoes. It also aims to refine paratransgenic symbiont-based control strategies using Asaia bacteria.

Laboratory & Facilities

Includes molecular/microbiology equipment, PCR systems, an olfactometer, and a 70m² insectarium with various mosquito species.

Research Network & Funding

Prof. Favia directs the Italian Malaria Network, collaborates with the NTD Italian Network, and partners with Fiocruz (Brazil) on mosquito research.

Ideal Candidate

Interest in entomology, host-microbe interactions, and applied vector control.

Plant diversity and ecosystem management

Macroarea: Botany
Supervisor: Prof. Stefano Chelli – School of Biosciences and Veterinary Medicine
Contact: stefano.chelli@unicam.it

Project Overview

Focus on biodiversity dynamics in pastures and forests under climate and land-use change. Combines taxonomic and functional trait approaches at various spatiotemporal scales.

Laboratory & Facilities

Access to Herbarium Universitatis Camerinensis (CAME), Herbarium Apenninicum (APP), the Montagna di Torricchio LTER Reserve, and ICP Forests datasets.

Research Network & Funding

Member of LTER-Europe, ICP Forests, TraitDivNet, and TRY/ITV-Net; coordinates the Checklist of the native vascular flora of Italy.

Ideal Candidate

Background in plant biology, ecology, or environmental sciences; interest in biodiversity conservation.

Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for gas storage and catalysis.

Macroarea: Chemistry
Supervisor: Prof. Riccardo Pettinari – School of Science and Technology
Contact: riccardo.pettinari@unicam.it

Project Overview

The project focuses on MOF development for gas storage and catalysis, integrating organometallic chemistry, surface science, and environmental/medical applications.

Laboratory & Facilities

State-of-the-art lab includes diffractometers, porosimetry systems, microwave reactors, IR/UV-VIS spectrometers, and thermal analysis platforms.

Research Network & Funding

Collaborates across disciplines including biology, physical chemistry, and pharmaceutical sciences. Strong publication and citation record.

Ideal Candidate

Chemistry or materials science background; interest in catalysis, synthesis, and interdisciplinary applications.
 

Advanced Biofabrication of Smart Biomaterials for Drug Delivery, Regenerative Medicine, and Therapeutic Applications

Macroarea: Advanced Drug Delivery
Supervisor: Prof. Roberta Censi – School of Pharmacy
Contact: roberta.censi@unicam.it

Project Overview

This research explores the synthesis, formulation, and biofabrication of smart biomaterials for precision medicine. It focuses on 3D bioprinting and microfluidics for:

• Targeted Drug Delivery using stimuli-responsive nanoparticles
• Regenerative Medicine via bioengineered scaffolds
• Cancer Therapy with tumor-on-a-chip models
• Infectious Disease Treatment through antimicrobial 3D-printed materials

Laboratory & Facilities

Prof. Censi's labs host advanced instruments like 3D bioprinter BIOX 6, microfluidics platforms, ultracentrifuges, rheometers, DLS, SEM, XRD, and drug formulation systems (freeze/spray dryers). Additional access includes NMR and animal testing facilities.

Research Network & Funding

Funded by the OSTEOTHER, ADMIRE, LIFE, and PRIN TANDEM projects, totaling €3 million. Collaborations span polymer chemistry, nanotech, pharmacology, and materials science.

Ideal Candidate

Background in pharmaceutical sciences, biomedical engineering, or nanotechnology. Passionate about translational research in smart biomaterials.

The Sustainable Twin Transition

Macroarea: Private Law
Supervisor: Prof. Lucia Ruggeri – School of Law
Contact: lucia.ruggeri@unicam.it

Project Overview

This legal research addresses sustainability in both ecological and technological transitions, guided by the UN Agenda 2030. It assesses:

• Legal intersections of clean energy and sustainable consumption
• Impacts of EU legal packages (Green Deal, Data Economy)
• Civil law adaptations on contracts and liability

Laboratory & Facilities

The School of Law offers access to interdisciplinary legal research networks, EU documentation centers, and public-private partnerships in sustainability law.

Research Network & Funding

Prof. Ruggeri leads the Jean Monnet CLOSER project, and participates in ELFA, EAPIL, Observatory on European Family and Succession Law, ENSIEL, and SISDIC. Interdisciplinary projects include ECPE and ESCOP4Green.

Ideal Candidate

Background in private/comparative law, interest in sustainability, legal innovation, and EU law.

Corrosion impact in existing steel-concrete composite structures: a structural health monitoring perspective

Macroarea: Structural and Geotechnical Engineering
Supervisor: Prof. Alessandro Zona – School of Architecture and Design
Contact: alessandro.zona@unicam.it

Project Overview

Focuses on long-term corrosion monitoring of steel-concrete composite (SCC) structures. It evaluates cracking, load impact, fatigue life, and sensor technologies. Outcomes will support the next-generation Eurocodes.

Laboratory & Facilities

Includes structural and shake-table testing labs (under development), simulation tools, and health monitoring systems.

Research Network & Funding

Connected to the RFCS, E-RIHS, FABRE, ReLUIS, HPC4DR, RELAND, and ASSISI networks.

Ideal Candidate

Structural engineering or materials science background. Interest in corrosion modeling, monitoring technologies, and resilient infrastructure.

Integrated planning and design for urban regeneration, landscape and protected natural areas

Macroarea: Architecture, Urban Planning and Landscape
Supervisor: Prof. Massimo Sargolini – School of Architecture and Design
Contact: massimo.sargolini@unicam.it

Project Overview

Explores climate-resilient planning and urban regeneration using GIS, thermal modeling, and multi-hazard assessment. Focus on public space quality, nature-based solutions, and sustainable infrastructure.

Laboratory & Facilities

Supported by ADA Climate Change Lab, SaadLab Energy, CLIC Lab, and STRIC.

Research Network & Funding

Prof. Sargolini has led 15 territorial projects and coordinates 6 labs, observatories, and research centers in environmental planning.

Ideal Candidate

Urban planning, environmental design, or climate science background. Passion for applied research and sustainable urban policy.

Interdisciplinary analysis of volatile and trace elements in planetary and terrestrial materials

Macroarea: Petrology-Volcanology-Geochemistry
Supervisor: Prof. Michael Carrol – School of Science and Technology
Contact: michael.carroll@unicam.it

Project Overview

This project investigates syn-eruptive magma conditions and their impact on nanolite/microlite formation and eruptive style. High-pressure/high-temperature experiments will simulate volcanic conduit dynamics, with implications for volcanology and glass-ceramic materials.

Laboratory & Facilities

Includes HP/HT experimental labs (up to 2 GPa/1800°C), X-ray diffraction, digital imaging, spectroscopy (FTIR, Raman), electron microscopy (SEM/TEM/EMPA), and access to international synchrotron facilities.

Research Network & Funding

Prof. Carrol is a Fellow of the Mineralogical Society of America (MSA), and member of the Geochemical Society, AGU, EGU, GSA, IAVCEI, and SIMP. Collaborates with top European institutions (Bristol, Bayreuth, Orleans, etc.).

Ideal Candidate

Background in geochemistry, volcanology, or materials science. Strong interest in HP/HT experiments and nanomaterial behavior.

Seismic design criteria and fragility curves for reinforced concrete bridges

Macroarea: Structural and Earthquake Engineering
Supervisor: Prof. Andrea Dall’Asta – School of Science and Technology
Contact: andrea.dallasta@unicam.it

Project Overview

Focuses on probabilistic risk assessment and seismic fragility modeling of reinforced concrete bridges. Includes uncertainty quantification, ML-based response models, SHM systems, and experimental validation with lab-scale testing.

Laboratory & Facilities

Three labs: structural components testing, SHM diagnostics, and a large-scale testing facility (in development).

Research Network & Funding

Engaged with FABRE, ReLUIS, E-RIHS, RFCS, HPC4DR, RELAND, and ASSISI.

Ideal Candidate

Structural or earthquake engineering background. Experience in modeling, risk analysis, or experimental testing preferred.

Structural and dynamic properties of confined liquids and complex fluids studied by advanced X-ray scattering and synchrotron radiation techniques

Macroarea: Condensed Matter Physics
Supervisors: Prof. Andrea Di Cicco – School of Science and Technology
Contact: andrea.dicicco@unicam.it

Project Overview

Aims to bridge the gap between quantum technologies and real materials by investigating confined liquids and nanostructures via X-ray scattering, synchrotron techniques, and ab initio modeling. Topics include metastable states, phonon/exciton interactions, and charge transfer dynamics.

Laboratory & Facilities

UNICAM offers advanced infrastructure: X-ray diffractometers, SEM-EDX, Raman/XPS, and XAS/XES systems. Experiments are conducted under extreme conditions and complemented by AI-driven quantum simulations.

Research Network & Funding

Group expertise spans condensed matter physics, nanomaterials, and quantum modeling. Active in experimental and theoretical projects.

Ideal Candidate

Physics or materials science background. Interest in spectroscopy, quantum simulations, and synchrotron experimentation.

Microwave quantum optomechanics and microwave-optical bidirectional quantum transduction

Macroarea: Electromagnetism; Optics, non-linear optics and nano-optics; Quantum optics and quantum information
Supervisor: Prof. David Vitali – School of Science and Technology
Contact: david.vitali@unicam.it

Project Overview

Develops a platform to manipulate microwave cavity states and mechanical resonators at cryogenic temperatures—key for building quantum internet nodes. Explores bidirectional transduction between microwave and optical signals for secure quantum communication.

Laboratory & Facilities

Fully equipped quantum optics lab with nanomechanics, cryogenics, microwave photonics, and quantum control systems.

Research Network & Funding

Prof. Vitali is a Fellow of APS, Senior Member of Optica, and member of SIF. His group collaborates on international quantum infrastructure and communication projects.

Ideal Candidate

Quantum physics, optics, or cryogenics background. Strong interest in quantum information, transduction, and experimental physics.

Contact Us

Interested in applying with UNICAM as your host institution?
Write to:  area.ricerca@unicam.it or directly to the Supervisor

🔗 Visit the official MSCA page: https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/