Staff Scientist Cell Biology - Zerial Group Milano

Staff Scientist Cell Biology - Zerial Group
Milano
Lombardia, Milano

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: December 27th, 2024

Human Technopole (HT) is an interdisciplinary research institute in Milan (Italy) created and supported by the Italian government to develop innovative strategies promoting human health. HT adopts a multidisciplinary and integrated approach combining genomics, computational and structural biology, neuroscience, and data and decision sciences.

The Human Technopole Foundation is looking for **one highly motivated staff scientist with a solid background in cell and developmental biology to work in the group of Prof. Marino Zerial**.

**About the Lab

The **Zerial Group** studies the molecular mechanisms of cell and tissue organisation across biological scales. Its interests range from the assembly and functional characterisation of the endosomal fusion machinery to establishing hepatocyte cell polarity and liver tissue structure and function. The Group uses a unique interdisciplinary approach combining biochemical and biophysical methods with advanced light microscopy, cell biology and computer-aided three-dimensional tissue reconstruction to investigate the organisation and function of the mouse and human liver tissue.

The Zerial Group has chosen the liver tissue because it poses several interesting problems, such as the complex apico-basal polarity of hepatocytes, its unique 3D organisation and regenerative activity and the ability to manipulate it (RNAi, CRISPR/Cas). The Group aims to identify the rules of self-organisation underlying liver tissue structure and their implementation at the molecular level. The ultimate goal is to demonstrate that it is possible to re-engineer liver tissue structure predictably. To this end, the Group requires the staff scientist to work on the following projects:

- High-resolution imaging of the developing, adult, and regenerating mouse liver to develop a geometrical model of the mouse liver tissue.

- Re-engineering of the liver tissue in vivo.

**See previous work on the research topics of this call

Segovia-Miranda F. et al. Three-dimensional spatially resolved geometrical and functional models of human liver tissue reveal new aspects of NAFLD progression. Nat Med. 2019

Morales-Navarrete H. et al. Liquid-crystal organization of liver tissue. Elife. 2019

**Key tasks and responsibilities

- Conduct systematic spatiotemporal analyses of organelle markers in the developing, adult and regenerating mouse liver after partial hepatectomy using advanced microscopy methods (in fixed tissue and by intra-vital microscopy).

- Develop geometrical models of the liver tissue and identify the underlying molecular pathways responsible for hepatocyte cell polarity and tissue organisation.

- RNAi-mediated gene silencing (Zeigerer et al. , 2012), lentivirus delivery or genome editing (CRISPR/Cas; Yin et al. , 2014) using protocols established in the lab.

- Generate mutant lines with CRISPR/Cas.

- Perform functional characterisation and phenotypic analyses and introduce genetic or pharmacological perturbations to re-engineer the structure and function of the liver tissue.

- Generate reliable data for publication and record all data and results in specified forms (paper and electronic).

- Contribute to the writing of project-related scientific papers.

- Assist in the training of PhD students and contribute to the smooth running of the lab.

**Essential requirements

- A Ph. D. in cell and/or developmental biology.

- Previous experience in imaging (including advanced microscopy techniques and image analysis).

- Experience in advanced cell culture techniques (including isolation of primary cells).

- Experience in advanced gene editing, silencing and overexpression techniques.

- Fluency in English.

**Preferred requirements

- A background in membrane biology, endocytosis and cell trafficking would be advantageous.

- Experience in proteomics would be beneficial.

**Organizational and social skills

- Ability to work independently as well as in a team.

- Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

- Ability to build trust by operating transparently and creating an open and positive environment.

- Excellent communication skills and self-motivation.

**Application Instructions

To apply, please send the following:

- A CV.

- A motivation letter (max two pages) in English relating your track record to the specifics of the call.

- Names and contacts of two referees.

**Why Human Technopole

HT seeks scientific excellence. We recruit the best scientific talents through international open calls.

Our working environment is international, friendly and inclusive. Our scientists work together across disciplines on research topics of biomedical relevance, leveraging synergies between their diverse skill sets and methodological approaches.

We believe that highly diverse teams yield the best and most innovative resul