MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Calcium signalling in microalgae

Position: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship on Calcium signalling in microalgae
Università degli Studi di Verona – Department of Biotechnology – SOLE‑LAB invites scholars to present expressions of interest in applying jointly with  Prof. Matteo Ballottari  (University of Verona – Italy) for a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship on Calcium signalling in microalgae.

A major current research line at SOLE‑LAB explores Ca²⁺ signalling as a key regulator of photosynthesis and stress acclimation in microalgae. These findings position Ca²⁺ as a master regulator of photosynthetic performance and cell responses to abiotic stresses, opening new opportunities to manipulate cellular responses for both fundamental discovery and biotechnological applications.

Responsibilities

Mechanisms of Ca²⁺ signalling in chloroplasts and cytosol

Identification of channels, sensors, and downstream effectors

Integration of Ca²⁺ dynamics with photosynthesis and metabolism

Engineering of stress‑resilient and high‑performance microalgae

The fellow will join a highly interdisciplinary and international environment, with access to advanced tools in live‑cell imaging, molecular genetics, and photosynthetic analysis, and strong expertise in translating fundamental research into applications.

Supervisor and Host Institution
The SOLE‑LAB is an internationally recognised research group working at the interface of photosynthesis, microalgal biotechnology, and cellular signalling. The lab combines molecular biology, biophysics, physiology, and synthetic biology to understand and engineer photosynthetic organisms for both fundamental discovery and biotechnological applications.

Led by  Prof. Matteo Ballottari , Full Professor of Plant Physiology, ERC grantee, and Pro‑Rector for Knowledge Transfer, the group has a strong track record in photosynthetic regulation, stress responses, and metabolic engineering in microalgae, supported by multiple national and European grants (including ERC and EIC projects).

Why SOLE‑LAB

Established leader in photosynthesis and microalgal biotechnology

Strong publication record and international collaborations

Proven experience in training early‑career researchers

Selected candidates will be offered both academic and administrative support from the Centre / Department and the University of Verona Grant Office with regards to proposal preparation.

Eligibility
Candidates must be eligible according to the criteria established by the 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral fellowship call:

To have a PhD at the call)

To have up to 8 years research experience after PhD

To be citizens of an EU State or of an Associated Country or long‑term resident in Europe (only for Global Fellowship)

Not to have resided or carried their main activity in Italy for more than 12 in the 36 months before call) – for European Fellowship

Not to have resided or carried their main activity in the country of the Host Institution in the third country for more than 12 in the 36 months before call) – for a Global Fellowship

Besides, candidates should be fluent in English, should have excellent teamwork attitude, organisational skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary environment.

Application Materials

A short CV including personal data (name, date of birth, present position, the name of a referee who has agreed to send a reference letter for you)

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