UPsYDe Doctoral Network Open Positions
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, starting November 1st, 2026
Deadline: March 10th 2026
Understanding and Postponing Yeast Cell Death (UPsYDe) to improve production is a doctoral network of 13 PhD candidates funded by Horizon Europe: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.
UPsYDe consists of seven host institutes (Wageningen Universiteit, Universidade do Minho, Danmarks Tekniske Universitet, Austrian Centre for Industrial Biotechnology, Imperial College London, Università degli Studi di Milano Bicocca and Chalmers Tekniska Högskola) together with fifteen associated partners, ranging from start-up to large biotechnology companies and renowned research institutes. This consortium aims to understand how yeast cells die under industrial process conditions and to use this knowledge to improve biomanufacturing.
Different yeast species play a vital role in industrial biotechnology for the sustainable production of a wide range of products, for example ethanol as a biofuel or protein ingredients for alternatives to animal-based products. However, also the lifespan of these yeast cells is finite, and their death negatively impacts processes: for example, process duration or product quality. Therefore, we will integrate fundamental cell and molecular biology, systems and synthetic biology with bioprocess and metabolic engineering to improve both our understanding of these cell death processes as well as the survival and performance of different yeast species in industrial bioprocesses.
Each of 13 doctoral projects will focus on a different aspect, more detailed descriptions are below, but in strong synergy with the other projects. As such, each PhD will receive a strongly interdisciplinary training alongside performing exciting research. This includes secondments at two or more partners in the consortium.
To be eligible for the positions, both host-institute specific (see below) and general conditions apply. These general conditions include:
- Not be in possession of a doctoral degree at the date of the recruitment;
- Comply with the mobility rule: no residence or main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 months before their recruitment date), this includes the country of the institution for which the main activity was performed.
1 Position is offered at University of Milano-Bicocca, Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences.
Doctoral Candidate 3 – UNIMIB
Project title: Impact of metabolism and signalling pathways on aging and cell death
The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is used in microbial biotechnology to produce various compounds, ranging from ethanol as a biofuel to insulin to treat diabetes. It is furthermore widely used as model organism to study eukaryotic biology, for example mechanisms involved in aging, the cell cycle and regulated cell death. In context of industrial processes, cells must remain alive and producing in order to have longer fermentation processes. Loss of viability is however often observed, which has a strong negative impact on product yield (as feedstocks are needed to renew the cell factories), product quality (as lysis of cells releases product degrading and contaminating factors) and production rates (as dead cells do not form product). Extension of the yeast productive lifespan, even by just some days, will strongly improve process economics and sustainability. A key-challenge therefore lies in postponing cell death under industrial conditions for as long as possible. In this project, we aim to identify specific functions in nutrient sensing to improve yeast survival and longevity and to manipulate selected nutrient and other signalling pathways to obtain strains of different yeast species with modified cell death and senescence profiles under industrial bioprocess conditions. This knowledge will be used to improve the bioproduction of chemicals.
You will work here:
The research is embedded at the Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, at the University of Milano-Bicocca. You will be supervised by Prof. Paola Coccetti (https://www.btbs.unimib.it/en/paola-coccetti).
Within the project, you will collaborate with the other consortium members of UPsYDe and especially with the Wageningen Universiteit (Netherland), to learn cultivation techniques to study industrially relevant nutrient limitation and excess and with the company Lantana (France), to study the impact of aromatics on signaling cascades and test yeast mutants for prolonged survival.
Your qualities
You have a passion for understanding cellular mechanisms and microbial physiology and translating this bioprocesses and have high standards for working accurately. You have the flexibility to work in a team within a well-equipped laboratory and communicate results to experts of different, but related fields.
You also possess:
- a successfully completed MSc degree in biotechnology, biology or related field;
- the ability to work independently in the lab;
- a strong desire and ability to quickly master new laboratory techniques to effectively tackle complex, multidisciplinary scientific queries;
- experience microbial cultures, molecular biology and biochemistry;
For this position your command of the English language is expected to be at C1 level.
We offer you
University of Milano-Bicocca offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:
- paid parental leave;
- working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
- there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
- a pension scheme.
In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position (starting November 1st, 2026) and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.
The annual gross salary is € 44.085 (about € 3.600 per month gross salary, including living and mobility allowances). This is based on a full-time working week and activities are agreed upon from time to time with the supervisor.
University of Milano-Bicocca offers plenty of opportunities for growth and development, with a strong internal recruitment policy and excellent training programme.
Coming from abroad
University of Milano-Bicocca is an inter-disciplinary university. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Milan, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.
Because we expect you to work and live in the Italy our team of advisors on Italian immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.
Do you want more information?
For more information about the position, please contact Prof. Paola Coccetti, via email: paola.coccetti@unimib.it
Welcome, safe, and valued
University of Milano-Bicocca highly values diversity and inclusion because we believe that different insights lead to innovative solutions. We create a work environment where everyone feels welcome, safe, and appreciated, regardless of background, identity, or experience. Together, we are building a culture where everyone's unique contribution adds to the success of our organization.
We are
The campus of the University Milano-Bicocca is well-organized, featuring extensive teaching support services, state-of-the-art laboratories, and modern infrastructures. It encompasses 14 departments, 32 buildings, 3 libraries, 4 congress facilities, 195 modern classrooms, 46 computer science laboratories and 226 research laboratories. Additionally, the campus provides residence halls, canteens, cafeterias, theaters, cinemas, well-equipped sports facilities, and study and leisure areas for over 38,000 students. With about 1,180 teachers and researchers, 843 administrative and technical staff, UNIMIB offers a diverse range of educational programs, consisting of 70 courses. Additionally, there are 21 PhD programs coordinated by a single Doctoral School, 37 Specialization Schools, and various first/second level postgraduate programs, as well as summer and winter schools.
How to Apply
e-mail Prof. Paola Coccetti (paola.coccetti@unimib.it) your CV, transcript(s) and motivation letter indicating in the title of the email [UPsYDe PhD application – NAME].
Deadline for application is March 10th 2026 and interviews will be scheduled shortly after.