Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia

Fellowship position in bench- to bed-side development of organic bioelectronic brain interfaces

Italy

Project: Funded by Unione Europea – NexGeneration EU, admitted for funding by the Ministry of Health for the implementation of investment 2.1 - Enhancement and strengthening of biomedical research in the National Health System  – progetto “Brain Lesions Border Characterization: Intraoperative Electrophysiology and Off-line Neurobiology -BLBC” - PNRR-POC-2022-12376380, CUP J53C22004140001

Commitment & contract: Fellowship position for 5months and half starting from June 1st, 2025

Location: Center for Translational Neurophysiology of Speech and Communication (CTNSC), Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Ferrara - 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, where experts in chemistry, material science, physics, biotechnology, physiology, psychology, data analysis and electronic engineering collaborate, each with their own expertise, to carry out common research.

The Multiscale Brain Communication Research Unit is coordinated by Prof. Luciano Fadiga, who has extensive experience in Neurophysiology.

The research line focuses on studying the mechanisms by which the brain processes and understands the communicative behaviors of other individuals. This includes also the study of sensorimotor communication, in healthy participants, by means of neurophysiological methods.

In the PNRR BLBC Project, where this position is opened, the IIT team will manufacture device capable to collect small electrical signals in wet environment with high signal-to noise ratio and fine spatial localization. This will be achieved by endowing recording sites with conductive polymeric coating. The device will be validated in vivo in neurosurgical contexts. The final aim will be the development of novel paradigms for electrophysiological mapping of brain lesion borders.

Within the team, your main responsibilities will be:

  • Standardized fabrication and bench-side assessment of EPIBRAIN arrays;
  • Collection of intraoperative microepicorticography data in the operating units of Ferrara and Milano, according to the timing and needs of the clinical trial on EPIBRAIN arrays developed during BLBC;
  • Analysis of the collected data in search for new electrophysiological fingerprints suitable for discriminating healthy tissue from diseased tissue, also in conjunction with molecular neurobiology data collected during BLBC.

This open position/research is financed by the Italian Ministry of Health within the PNRR-POC-2022-12376380 project.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Experience in the field of translational neuroscience or in related scientific technological fields, with knowledge of the fundamental aspects of organic bioelectronics and of the main techniques of fabrication and characterization of organic (semi-)conductor-based devices;
  • A master degree in Biotechnology, Chemistry or Material Science. In any case it is preferable a strongly application-/device-oriented background (e.g. industrial biotechnology, materials’ chemistry, et similia)
  • Documented experience on the electrochemical characterization of materials and devices based on organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors, encompassing I-V characterization and AC characterization
  • The ability to properly report and organize research data
  • Good command in spoken and written English

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

  • Deep knowledge of Electrolyte-Gated Organic Transistors and Organic artificial Synapses;
  • Advanced data analysis skills with large datasets, also by means of programming languages such as MATLAB, Python, et similia
  • 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 & BENEFITS

  • Competitive salary package for international standards
  • Private health care coverage
  • Wide range of staff discounts
  • 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.

 

Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed CV, university transcripts and a cover letter (outlining motivation, experience and qualifications).

Application’s deadline: April 22nd, 2025

 

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

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