PhD in Epigenetics of Imprinting Disorders

The Ph.D. program in Biomolecular Sciences is a research doctorate of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli in Caserta-Naples, Italy. The program is multidisciplinary and based on a well-balanced combination of research activity with access to the most modern technological platforms, theoretical courses, internal seminars, and participation in national and international conferences. The official language of the Doctorate program is English. Research and training activities will take place in the Department of Environmental, Biological and Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technologies of the University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, via Vivaldi, Caserta. The students will spend part of their doctorate (at least 3 months) in research groups abroad.

Your project: Recent evidence indicates that individuals affected by imprinting disorders, such as Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome or Silver-Russell syndrome, may have DNA methylation changes at multiple genomic loci as well as genetic variants predisposing to the origin of these epigenetic disturbances either at the maternal or zygotic level. This project aims to characterize genome-wide methylation profiles and identifying predisposing genetic variants by using next-generation sequencing data and establish their impact on clinical phenotype as well as their relevance in diagnostics and management of these patients.

Supervisor: Prof. Andrea Riccio. Email: [Email Address Removed]. Publications: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7990-3576. Candidates should contact the supervisor to arrange a preliminary interview by Skype as soon as possible.

Your qualification: Master degree or equivalent in biology, biotechnology or bioinformatics obtained in countries other than Italy. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in NGS data analysis.

Our offer: 3-year Ph.D. student position with a scholarship from Nov 1, 2020 to Oct 31st, 2023

Eligibility Criteria
- Academic degree: master degree or equivalent corresponding to the second level of studies.
- Mobility rule: Applicants can be from any country but should have received their degree from a University located outside of Italy.

Evaluation Criteria
- Curriculum assessment concerns:
a) Master degree thesis (pertinence with Ph.D. topics, final grades);
b) certified knowledge of Foreign languages;
c) research and study abroad;
d) scholarships;
e) postgraduate qualifications;
f) publications, conference abstracts, reference letters;
g) a written research project on the topics of the PhD program following the instructions reported in the call https://www.unicampania.it/RipartizioniFS/CSAR/dottorati/36/PHD_COURSE_IN_BIOMOLECULAR_SCIENCES_1.pdf

- Oral examination topics concern your previous research experience and the project-specific to the position offered. The interview can be in videoconference via Skype if requested.

Student Grant
The winner of the position will receive a scholarship of 15,343.28 euros. The amount of the scholarship will be increased by 50% for research visits outside of Italy. Also, each student, besides to the fellowship, he/she will receive a budget for research activity for an amount of 10% of the fellowship in the 1st year and 25% in the 2nd and 3rd years. Candidates not residing in the Campania Region can also request an extra one-time contribution of max 5,000 euro.

How to apply
Contact the supervisor for a preliminary interview as soon as possible and then apply online by following the instructions reported in the call https://www.unicampania.it/RipartizioniFS/CSAR/dottorati/36/PHD_COURSE_IN_BIOMOLECULAR_SCIENCES_1.pdf
(deadline 30 June 2020).