University of Turin
Call for Post-Doctoral Position (Contratto di Ricerca): Plant Physiology & Space
University of Turin, Italy, New York, United States
Organisation/Company University of Turin Department Life Sciences and Systems Biology Research Field Biological sciences » Other Researcher Profile Established Researcher (R3) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Italy Application Deadline 30 Oct 2025 - 15:00 (Europe/Rome) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 30 Offer Starting Date 2 Jan 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Reference Number 24/CDR Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Position Title:
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Contratto di Ricerca)
Unit:
Plant Physiology Unit – Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology
Duration:
2 Years (January 2026 – December 2027) Project Context and Scope The Plant Physiology Group is seeking a highly qualified Post-Doctoral Researcher to join the project funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI):
“Symbiosis and Pathogenicity in Plants Exposed to a Combination of Microgravity (
μ
g) and the Absence of a Magnetic Field (MF) - SPACE-
μ
gMF” . This groundbreaking project aims to investigate the critical intersection of
microgravity
( μ g) and a
reduced magnetic field
(MF) on plant adaptation, symbiosis, and pathogenicity. The research addresses fundamental questions critical for developing reliable
Space Agriculture
systems and advancing basic plant biology under extreme conditions. Identification of primary and secondary metabolites synthesized in roots and shoots of model plants under reduced magnetic field (MF) and microgravity conditions. Identification of root and germline genes expressed by RNA-Seq and validation by qPCR. Implementation via multiomics analyses (MOSB), to comprehensively evaluate the omics responses of plants under simulated microgravity and reduced MF conditions. Variations of mineral ions in the magnetosensing of plants in microgravity. Evaluation of plant culture devices already tested on the ISS (such as Veggie cushions) under varying MF and gravity and definition of critical parameters in weightless and MF environments. Evaluation of ROS and NRS production, localization, and gene expression in plants exposed to reduced MF and simulated microgravity. The ideal candidate will be an expert in
Plant Physiology
with a strong background in
Molecular Biology
and
Multi-Omics Analysis . The key research activities will include: Metabolomic Profiling:
Identification and quantification of
primary and secondary metabolites
in roots and shoots of model plants exposed to simulated microgravity and reduced MF. Advanced Transcriptomics:
Identifying root and germline genes expressed via
RNA-Seq
and validation using
qPCR . Multi-Omics System Biology (MOSB):
Implementing integrated multi-omics analyses to comprehensively evaluate the plant’s global responses to simulated μ g and reduced MF. Magnetoreception & Nutrient Dynamics:
Evaluating the variations in
mineral ions
crucial for
magnetosensing
in plants under microgravity conditions. Space Biotechnology:
Assessing
plant culture devices
(e.g., ISS-tested Veggie cushions) under varying MF and gravity levels; defining critical environmental parameters for growth in weightlessness and MF environments. Oxidative Stress Study:
Analyzing the production, localization, and gene expression of
ROS
(Reactive Oxygen Species) and
NRS
(Nitrogen Reactive Species) in plants exposed to reduced MF and simulated μ g. Specific Requirements
Molecular Biology
and
Multi-Omics Analysis Languages ENGLISH Level Good Research Field Biological sciences » BiologyChemistry » Biochemistry Years of Research Experience 4 - 10 Additional Information
Eligibility criteria The candidate must attach exclusively online, in PDF format, to the dedicated section of the dedicated IT application: - project proposal with reference to the research program being selected; - scientific and professional CV complete with all relevant information for the evaluation of previous research activities, as well as any work experience, relevant to the content of the research program being selected (in particular, for qualifications, indicate: date/duration, place of completion, etc.); - scientific publications relevant to the research program, already printed by the deadline of the call for applications, or texts accepted for publication, together with confirmation of acceptance from the publisher deemed relevant for the selection process. (Specifically, on the dedicated IT platform, the PDFs of the publications must be attached by the candidate, whether they are entered manually or via the MIUR login). Selection process The Selection Committee will evaluate the candidates based on the following criteria: a) the quality, originality, and innovation of the project proposal, with reference to the research program being selected; b) relevance and relevance of previous research activities, as well as any work experience, to the content of the research program being selected; c) relevance of the attached publications to the research program being selected; d) suitability for carrying out the research activity covered by the contract and for implementing the submitted project proposal, assessed through an interview and simultaneous assessment of knowledge of English and/or foreign languages relevant to the research. The Committee has 100 points to be divided into: I) 70 points for assessing the relevance of the proposed research project to the subject of the call for proposals and possession of a professional scientific curriculum vitae suitable for carrying out the research activity, as well as relevance of the attached publications to the research program being selected; II) 30 points for the interview. Only candidates who achieve at least 50 points for item I) will be admitted to the interview. Candidates who achieve less than 20 points for item II) will not be considered eligible. A minimum score of 70 points out of a total of 100 will be considered successful. Additional comments The list of candidates admitted to the interview and the schedule for the same are published on the University's Official Noticeboard at least fifteen days before the interview, and are accessible on the website www.unito.it in the "Competitions and Selections" section. Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology Country Italy City Turin Postal Code 10135 Street Via Quarello 15/a Geofield
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Position Title:
Post-Doctoral Research Fellow (Contratto di Ricerca)
Unit:
Plant Physiology Unit – Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology
Duration:
2 Years (January 2026 – December 2027) Project Context and Scope The Plant Physiology Group is seeking a highly qualified Post-Doctoral Researcher to join the project funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI):
“Symbiosis and Pathogenicity in Plants Exposed to a Combination of Microgravity (
μ
g) and the Absence of a Magnetic Field (MF) - SPACE-
μ
gMF” . This groundbreaking project aims to investigate the critical intersection of
microgravity
( μ g) and a
reduced magnetic field
(MF) on plant adaptation, symbiosis, and pathogenicity. The research addresses fundamental questions critical for developing reliable
Space Agriculture
systems and advancing basic plant biology under extreme conditions. Identification of primary and secondary metabolites synthesized in roots and shoots of model plants under reduced magnetic field (MF) and microgravity conditions. Identification of root and germline genes expressed by RNA-Seq and validation by qPCR. Implementation via multiomics analyses (MOSB), to comprehensively evaluate the omics responses of plants under simulated microgravity and reduced MF conditions. Variations of mineral ions in the magnetosensing of plants in microgravity. Evaluation of plant culture devices already tested on the ISS (such as Veggie cushions) under varying MF and gravity and definition of critical parameters in weightless and MF environments. Evaluation of ROS and NRS production, localization, and gene expression in plants exposed to reduced MF and simulated microgravity. The ideal candidate will be an expert in
Plant Physiology
with a strong background in
Molecular Biology
and
Multi-Omics Analysis . The key research activities will include: Metabolomic Profiling:
Identification and quantification of
primary and secondary metabolites
in roots and shoots of model plants exposed to simulated microgravity and reduced MF. Advanced Transcriptomics:
Identifying root and germline genes expressed via
RNA-Seq
and validation using
qPCR . Multi-Omics System Biology (MOSB):
Implementing integrated multi-omics analyses to comprehensively evaluate the plant’s global responses to simulated μ g and reduced MF. Magnetoreception & Nutrient Dynamics:
Evaluating the variations in
mineral ions
crucial for
magnetosensing
in plants under microgravity conditions. Space Biotechnology:
Assessing
plant culture devices
(e.g., ISS-tested Veggie cushions) under varying MF and gravity levels; defining critical environmental parameters for growth in weightlessness and MF environments. Oxidative Stress Study:
Analyzing the production, localization, and gene expression of
ROS
(Reactive Oxygen Species) and
NRS
(Nitrogen Reactive Species) in plants exposed to reduced MF and simulated μ g. Specific Requirements
Molecular Biology
and
Multi-Omics Analysis Languages ENGLISH Level Good Research Field Biological sciences » BiologyChemistry » Biochemistry Years of Research Experience 4 - 10 Additional Information
Eligibility criteria The candidate must attach exclusively online, in PDF format, to the dedicated section of the dedicated IT application: - project proposal with reference to the research program being selected; - scientific and professional CV complete with all relevant information for the evaluation of previous research activities, as well as any work experience, relevant to the content of the research program being selected (in particular, for qualifications, indicate: date/duration, place of completion, etc.); - scientific publications relevant to the research program, already printed by the deadline of the call for applications, or texts accepted for publication, together with confirmation of acceptance from the publisher deemed relevant for the selection process. (Specifically, on the dedicated IT platform, the PDFs of the publications must be attached by the candidate, whether they are entered manually or via the MIUR login). Selection process The Selection Committee will evaluate the candidates based on the following criteria: a) the quality, originality, and innovation of the project proposal, with reference to the research program being selected; b) relevance and relevance of previous research activities, as well as any work experience, to the content of the research program being selected; c) relevance of the attached publications to the research program being selected; d) suitability for carrying out the research activity covered by the contract and for implementing the submitted project proposal, assessed through an interview and simultaneous assessment of knowledge of English and/or foreign languages relevant to the research. The Committee has 100 points to be divided into: I) 70 points for assessing the relevance of the proposed research project to the subject of the call for proposals and possession of a professional scientific curriculum vitae suitable for carrying out the research activity, as well as relevance of the attached publications to the research program being selected; II) 30 points for the interview. Only candidates who achieve at least 50 points for item I) will be admitted to the interview. Candidates who achieve less than 20 points for item II) will not be considered eligible. A minimum score of 70 points out of a total of 100 will be considered successful. Additional comments The list of candidates admitted to the interview and the schedule for the same are published on the University's Official Noticeboard at least fifteen days before the interview, and are accessible on the website www.unito.it in the "Competitions and Selections" section. Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology Country Italy City Turin Postal Code 10135 Street Via Quarello 15/a Geofield
#J-18808-Ljbffr