Call for applications for admission to the 41st cycle of the PhD programme in Life Sciences and Biotechnologies with a position funded by the European Union, HORIZON-MSCA-2022-DN-01-01, METAMIC 3 Project

Description of the position 

University of Sassari (UNISS) is seeking for a Doctoral candidate (DC) to be enrolled as PhD student in the MSCA Doctoral Network (DN) METAMIC 3 (Metaproteome-based leveraged microbiome management in the context of One Health). METAMIC 3 is funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe framework programme (Grant Agreement number 101225682). The DC position is one of fifteen offered in METAMIC 3 

In the Department of Biomedical Sciences at UNISS (Sassari, Italy) we invite applications for a full-time

PhD position in Metaproteome research:

Metaproteomic profiling of gut microbiota to identify microbial effectors with prognostic and predictive value in patients with colon cancer during chemotherapy

About METAMIC 3

One Health is an integrated, unifying approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and environment ecosystems. All three domains are interconnected by microbiomes. Microbiomes are present universally and are connected by species exchange, impacting human and animal health but also environmental and biotechnological processes. Targeted control of the taxonomic and functional microbiome composition by microbial effectors such as antibiotics, antimicrobial peptides, and phages could be a game changer for these fields. However, the impact of microbial key factors on modulating microbiomes, the mechanisms implicated and the functional consequences, are barely understood. A novel approach which provides unique insights into the dynamics and the roles of microbial effectors is metaproteomics. The metaproteomics approach allows us to quantify the microbial composition and the expressed metabolic functions as well as to detect phages, antimicrobial resistance associated proteins, and non-ribosomal peptides. Leading European scientists of the Metaproteomics Initiative (https://metaproteomics.org/) formed a strategic alliance to set up a powerful and interdisciplinary network called METAMIC to capitalize on the potential of metaproteomics for developing novel strategies for microbiome control, manipulation/engineering, and restoration based on microbial effectors. METAMIC will achieve this by training a new generation of highly skilled microbiome and metaproteomics scientists, spreading their knowledge in research, industry, the medical sector, and public authorities. Developing novel metaproteomics workflows and exemplifying them in various clinical and biotechnological field studies will provides important steps towards better understanding and managing our microbiomes in the future, fitting the key EU missions, including “climate change”, “climate-neutral and smart cities”, “soil deal”, “restore ocean and water”, and “cancer”.

About the research group

At the University of Sassari (UNISS) the Department of Biomedical Science (DBMS) holds over 80 members active in several research fields including anatomy, physiology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, and pathology. The DBMS main areas of interest are: Experimental and Applied Biology, Chronic Degenerative Diseases, and Precision Medicine.

The group of Research and Education on the Microbiota at DSBM is seeking a motivated PhD student to join the research team, focusing on “Functional Microbiome Alterations Driving Colon Cancer Treatment Outcomes”.

Within the Department of Biomedical Sciences (DSBM) at the University of Sassari (UNISS), our research group, led by Prof. Sergio Uzzau, investigates the functional roles of the gut microbiota in non-communicable diseases, with implications ranging from diagnostics to therapy optimization. To date, our metaproteomic analyses on colon cancer patients aimed at identifying microbial and host protein signatures linked to tumor characteristics such as stage, grade, and lymphocyte infiltration. These metaproteomic studies will be further expanded and strengthened within the framework of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network METAMIC.

Job description

A fully funded PhD position (gender neutral) is available. The PhD candidate will perform research activities within the framework of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral network METAMIC 3 - Metaproteome-based leveraged microbiome management in the context of One Health. 

METAMIC is funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe framework programme (Grant Agreement number 101225682). The METAMIC project will embed Doctoral Candidates (DCs) in a unique training environment to advance microbiome science through metaproteomics. The program addresses One Health challenges by integrating research on microbial mechanisms, microbiome dynamics in various ecosystems, and translational applications in clinical and biotech fields. DCs will benefit from expertise across molecular biology, bioinformatics, clinical research, and environmental science, supported by collaborations among academia, industry, and public sector partners. The PhD student will be part of a European training network and is expected to collaborate closely at UNISS-DSBM.

PhD candidate will also have the chance to conduct research visits at leading institutes, including the Department of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science and Statistics at Ghent University (Belgium), the Leibniz-Institut für Analytische Wissenschaften (Germany), and the Oncology Clinic of the University of Cagliari (Italy).

The PhD student will be responsible for

• The metaproteomic analyses of fecal microbiota from colon cancer patients, including all wet lab activities related to sample preparation and the data analyses of mass spectrometry data.
• Attending a total of six months secondments to learn novel algorithms form improving fecal MP samples' taxonomic and functional characterization the exploitation of open-source software platform specifically designed for the analysis and interpretation of metaproteomics data
• Attending a one-month secondment to learn about colon cancer, immunotherapy, dietary intervention and other aspects that impact gut microbiota in clinical trial designs. 

Eligibility criteria

• Academic Qualification: The applicant must hold a relevant master’s degree or equivalent and must have obtained the degree or equivalent by the DC start date.
• In order to be recruited to the network as a doctoral candidate, applicants must not already be in possession of a doctoral degree (i.e. a Ph.D. degree).
• Conditions of international mobility of researchers: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their recruiting organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.

Further requirements 

We are looking for a dedicated and skilled individual with the following qualifications:

• Masters, Diploma or equivalent degree in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology or similar and must have obtained the degree or equivalent by the DC start date;
• Experience in fundamental biochemical and analytical methods, experiences with LC/MS, in particular proteomics or genomics are of advantage;
• Proficiency in scientific English (written and spoken);
• Willingness to spend several months at other institutions abroad during secondments. The project envisages the following secondments: a three-months secondment to learn novel algorithms form improving fecal MP samples' taxonomic and functional characterization (Prof. Bart Mesuere, Belgium); a three-months secondment to exploit open-source software platform specifically designed for the analysis and interpretation of metaproteomics data (Prof. Robert Heyer, Germany); a one-month secondment to learn about colon cancer, immunotherapy, dietary intervention and other aspects that impact gut microbiota in clinical trial designs (Prof. Mario Scartozzi, Italy);
• Curiosity to perform fundamental and applied research;
• Experience and/or willingness to collaborate across cultures, coordinate with diverse stakeholders, and contribute effectively to complex, multi-partner initiatives.

What we offer

• A clear research topic as well as multi-fold training and support for PhD students in framework of a collaborative training network;
• Working in an outstanding, collaborative, and international network;
• Training and scientific development opportunities in a supportive environment and an excellent working atmosphere in a very dynamic and professional team;
• Enrollment in the PhD Program in Life Sciences and Biotechnologies at the University of Sassari. Such enrollment entails the submission of a project proposal, prepared by the applicant in collaboration with the primary supervisor, and its subsequent approval by the doctoral committee
• Access to all services provided by University of Sassari to its PhD students
• The opportunity to present your data on international conferences and participate in workshops.

About University of Sassari (UNISS)

The University of Sassari (UNISS) is a public university with deeply rooted traditions, a wide syllabus, multi-disciplinary courses and top-quality scientific research. UNISS is the second University in Sardinia, with close to 12,000 students, around 1,000 postgraduate students (Italians and foreigners) and more than 900 employees. UNISS is a space for free research and free teaching, critical sensibility towards knowledge and dissemination of scientific knowledge. The Department of Biomedical Sciences is active in several fields of research including anatomy, physiology, genetics, biochemistry, microbiology, histology, hematology, and pathology. The Department has also extended international collaborations with Universities of Developing Countries. 

Our University/Department wish to reflect the diversity of society and invite all regardless of personal background to apply for the positions.

Terms of employment

The employment as a PhD fellow is full time and for 3 years.

The anticipated start date for the position 01/04/2026.

The PhD study must be completed by the rules and regulations laid down by the European Union’s HORIZON TMA MSCA Doctoral Networks, European Training Network and the UNISS’s rules on achieving the degree. 

The European Research Executive Agency (REA) will provide a monthly amount of €4.531,53. This amount consists of a Living Allowance of €4.010,00 which, after application of the correction coefficient for Italy (95,3%), will amount to €3.821,53, plus a Mobility Allowance of €710,00. If the eligibility requirements of the Doctoral Candidate are met, the above amount will be supplemented by a Family Allowance of €660,00 per month. These amounts are to be understood as gross, before the deduction of all charges (tax, social security, and insurance contributions) applicable to both the University of Sassari and the Doctoral Candidate under current legislation. 

More information

More information about University of Sassari can be found at https://www.uniss.it/en. For further information about the position, applicants may contact Professor Sergio Uzzau (email: uzzau@uniss.it . For problems with submitting applications may contact rnzallu@uniss.it. 

Application

The application must be submitted electronically by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. The application must include the following documents in PDF format: 

1. Covering letter (max. one page);

2. CV incl. education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position;

3. A copy of the degree certificate or a written statement from the institution if the certificate has not been issued;

4. Publication list;

5. A 2-page research statement that clearly describes your research profile and interests in the position as well as your expertise and methodological competencies;

6. Names and contact information of two references (if available).

Application deadline: 6th October 2025, 1:00 PM CET 

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the above-mentioned requirements. APPLY NOW

Selection Process

After application within the established deadline, the selection process consists of evaluating the eligibility criteria and assessment of the academic qualifications and experience for the above-mentioned area of research, techniques, skills and other requirements listed in the advertisement. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. Selected candidates will be interviewed by a selection committee.