Postdoc Pönisch Lab (Biophysical Modelling)

Location: Milan, Italy

Salary: up to €43,000 per year

Company

hirify.global is a life science institute focused on biomedical discovery through interdisciplinary research and advanced technologies.

What you will do

• Analyse large imaging datasets of in vitro cell aggregates and biological tissues.
• Develop a multimodal analysis framework representing collective cell dynamics as a low-dimensional stochastic dynamical system.
• Study the coupling between individual cell morphodynamics, cell topology, and cellular state.
• Integrate quantitative image analysis, morphometrics, data analysis, and theoretical physics.
• Collaborate with experimental partners to identify general principles of collective cell dynamics.

Requirements

• PhD in theoretical physics, applied mathematics, computer science, engineering, data science, or a related discipline.
• Experience with computational modelling of biological many-body systems, including particle-based, Voronoi/Vertex, or Cellular Potts models.
• Experience with MATLAB, Python, or another scientific programming language.
• Strong troubleshooting, documentation, critical thinking, planning, and organisational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, work independently, and collaborate in an international research setting.

Nice to have

• Experience in quantitative image analysis and 2D/3D image segmentation.
• Experience with biological datasets in cell biology, developmental biology, or biomedical research.
• Experience with machine learning, deep learning, or graph neural networks.
• Experience supervising students or pursuing an independent research fellowship.

Culture & Benefits

• Four-year employment contract under CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, Level B2.
• International and interdisciplinary research environment at a growing institute.
• Training, mentoring, and dedicated career-development opportunities.
• Flexible working policies, competitive welfare provisions, work–life balance, and parental support.
• Relocation support and potential tax benefits for researchers moving to Italy.

Hiring process

• Submit a CV, a motivation letter in English, and contact details for two referees.
• Applications close on 06.09.2026.