Italy

Commitment & contract: collaboration contract

Location: Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies in Lecce, Italy

Step into a world of endless possibilities, together let’s leave something for the future!

At IIT, we are committed to advancing human-centered Science and Technology to address the most urgent societal challenges of our era. We foster excellence in both fundamental and applied research, spanning fields such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid technologies and robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and material sciences, offering a truly interdisciplinary scientific experience. Our approach integrates cutting-edge tools and technology, empowering researchers to push the limits of knowledge and innovation. With us, your curiosity will know no bounds.

We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering diversity in all its forms, creating an inclusive environment. We value the unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives of our people. By embracing diversity, we believe science can achieve its fullest potential.

THE ROLE

You will be working in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary group. The team is composed by material scientists, physicists, neuroscientists, electronic engineers, computational scientists, biotechnologist and biomedical engineers, sharing their expertise to work at the border of these multiple disciplines.

The Multifunctional Neural Interfaces Research Unit is coordinated by Prof. Ferruccio Pisanello, who has extensive experience in the development of new photonic and optoelectrical technologies for interfacing with deep brain regions. You will share with the team the main responsibility of developing of new generation of multifunctional neural endoscope based on a novel type of metasurfaces, in a research falling withing the ERC CONSOLIDATOR project “Multifunctional nano-bio INterfaces wIth deep braiN reGions” MINING g.a. n° 101125498.



MINING aspires at generating a novel class of multifunctional neural endoscopes, able to trigger and detect electrical and molecular signaling with cellular resolution in vivo. The result will be the unprecedented ability to correlate multiple types of signals in the same volume, with spatial and temporal resolution at depth. The limitation of current state of the art will be surmounted by exploiting light-matter interactions in hybrid metal-dielectric metasurfaces and their synergistic integration with organic electrochemical transistors.

The main objectives of MINING are:

- Devise hybrid metal-dielectric metasurface (HMS) neural endoscopes, enabling simultaneous
- (i) high- resolution functional imaging of neural signals,
- (ii) label-free optical monitoring of chemical compounds from both wide and localized brain volumes and
- (iii) optogenetic and thermoplasmonic modulation of neural functions with cellular resolution,

- Integration of organic electrochemical transistors on HMSs endoscopes, generating a novel optoelectrical neural interface with cellular resolution based on active electronics,

- Development of methods for spatial-resolved multifunctional studies, to demonstrate the power of MINING endoscopes to reveal so far hidden patterns of electrochemical functional dynamics in the living mouse brain.

REQUIRED ELEMENTS FOR FIRST POSITION

- A PhD in Photonics, Physics, Nanotechnologies or related disciplines
- Documented strong experience in optics and photonics applied to solid-state physics




- Documented experience on time resolved measurements (streak cameras)
- A strong publication record
- The ability to properly report, organize and publish research data
- Documented experience in coaching junior scientists
- Good command in spoken and written English
- Coding skills in Phyton, Matlab and C++ are required for all positions

REQUIRED ELEMENTS FOR SECONDO POSITION

- A PhD in Biology, Neuroscience or equivalent
- The following previous experiences
- Manipulation of murine models
- Competencies in accordance with the Ministerial Decree of 5 August 2021, covering at least roles a) and d), or also b) and c).
- Use of stereotaxic methods for experiments in murine models

- Good command in spoken and written English

ADDITIONAL SKILLS FOR BOTH POSITIONS

- Good communication skills
- Strong problem solving attitude
- High motivation to learn
- Spirit of innovation and creativity
- Good in time and priority management
- Ability to work in a challenging and international environment
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

- A yearly gross salary ranging between 30.000,00 and 37.000,00 euro for each position.
- Private health care coverage depending on your role and contract
- Candidates from abroad or Italian citizens who have carried scientific research activity permanently abroad and meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a deduction from taxable income of up to 90% from 6 to 13 years.

This open position is financed by ERC CONSOLIDATOR project “Multifunctional nano-bio INterfaces wIth deep braiN reGions” MINING g.a. n° 101125498

Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed CV, cover letter, and 2 reference letters

Application’s deadline: November 19th, 2026

To discover more about life at IIT, visit the dedicated section here: https://www.iit.it/en/work-at-iit

📌 Two post doc positions to develop a new generation of multifunctional neural interfaces (Lecce)
🏢 Istituto Italiano Di Tecnologia
📍 Lecce