Post doc position “Hybrid strategies for vision restoration”

Commitment & contract : 2-years collaboration contract Location : Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology ( ) At IIT, we are committed to advancing human-centered Science and Technology to address the most urgent societal challenges of our era. We foster excellence in both fundamental and applied research, spanning fields such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid technologies and robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and material sciences, offering a truly interdisciplinary scientific experience. Our approach integrates cutting-edge tools and technology, empowering researchers to push the limits of knowledge and innovation. With us, your curiosity will know no bounds. We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering diversity in all its forms, creating an inclusive environment. We value the unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives of our people. By embracing diversity, we believe science can achieve its fullest potential. THE ROLE You will be working in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary group, where junior and senior scientists collaborate, each with their expertise, to carry out a scientific activity with a shared research goal. The Center for Synaptic Neuroscience and Technology, Research Unit “Neuroscience and Smart Materials” is coordinated by Prof. Fabio Benfenati. The research focuses on advanced neural interfaces for neuronal photostimulation and their application for the restoration of vision in neurodegenerative diseases of the retina, such as Retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration. In recent years, we have pioneered active light-sensitive interfaces for neuronal stimulation using organic electronics (Nature Materials 2017; Nature Nanotechnology 2020a; Nature Reviews Materials, 2020; Nature Nanotechnology 2021; Nature Communications 2022) and photochromic compounds (Nature Nanotechnology 2020b; Adv. Sci. 2020; Nanomedicine 2020; Light : Science & Applications 2024; Nature Review Bioengineering 2024). Moreover, an advanced version of the polymer-based prosthesis, as an injectable “liquid prosthesis” made of nanoparticle (NP) suspensions, has been developed. These technologies are quickly evolving from a proof-of-principle stage to real prostheses implanted in rodent and pig models of degenerative blindness. The research project will include : 1. Hybrid electrical synapses for wireless photostimulation. We demonstrated that polymeric NPs form “electrical synapses” with target neurons that are capacitively depolarized to rescue vision in animal models of Retinitis pigmentosa (RP). To make photostimulation cell-specific, we plan to functionalize NPs with recombinant antibodies targeting mGluR6, a unique marker of ON- bipolar cells. This would allow targeting the ON-pathway in a gene-free fashion and restoring the ON / OFF-signature of retinal processing responsible for spatial resolution and contrast sensitivity. We will also exploit the effects of polymeric NIR-sensitive NPs in the brain to stimulate denervated neurons on demand. 2. Membrane-targeted photochromic compounds for neuronal photostimulation. The project aims at investigating novel intramembrane, azobenzene-based actuators that elicit light- triggered neuronal stimulation. The actuators dwell into the membrane and behave as light-driven molecular machines that bidirectionally perturb the membrane, impacting on its passive and active properties and eventually on neuronal excitability. We will exploit these compounds for brain and retina with nanostructures capable of slow and prolonged release in the nervous tissue. In the retina, preliminary ex-vivo evidence shows that these bifunctional compounds successfully recreate the mosaic of ON and OFF cells that generates visual acuity and contrast sensitivity, representing a very interesting solution for transferring this strategy to RP patients. 3. Boost plasticity of the retina and the visual cortex to improve processing and perception of bionic inputs. We plan to enhance the plasticity of the retina by either downregulation of the transcription factor REST, a physiological repressor of neuronal genes or by environmental enrichment (EE) characterized by high-level multisensory stimulation, physical activity and social interaction. The same strategies will be employed at the level of the primary visual cortex. Main techniques applied in the lab are : in vivo studies in experimental models of retinal degeneration in vivo transduction with viral vectors retina and visual cortex electrophysiology functional 2-photon imaging of the visual cortex study of light-driven behaviors ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS A PhD inBiotechnology, Molecular Biology, Neuroscience, or similar Strong publication record Good command of spoken and written English ADDITIONAL SKILLS Experience in molecular and cellular biology, ex vivo electrophysiology, and in vivo functional studies Ability to work in a challenging and international environment Capacity to work autonomously and collaboratively in a highly interdisciplinary environment Possess analytical reasoning skills and a growth mindset COMPENSATION PACKAGE A yearly gross salary of 34,000.00 € Candidates from abroad or Italian citizens who have carried scientific research activity permanently abroad and meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a deduction from taxable income of up to 90% from 6 to 13 years. This open position is financed by Compagnia di San Paolo Torino – Trapezio Projects (Nanosparks and NanoFlash). Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed curriculum vitae, 3 representative publications, and a one-page research statement in PDF format and names and contact of 2 referees. To discover more about life at IIT, visit the dedicated section here : Fill in the form below and send your application. I have read and accept the privacy policy I have read and I accept the terms and conditions J-18808-Ljbffr J-18808-Ljbffr

Location: provincia-di-cuneo, IT

Posted Date: 6/16/2025