Hosting MSCA-PF Fellow in Analytical Metabolomics and Lipidomics – Longitudinal Machine Learnin

Position: Hosting MSCA-PF Fellow in Analytical Metabolomics and Lipidomics – Longitudinal Machine Learnin[...]
Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology
Organisation / Company University of Teramo Department Department of Bioscience and Agro-Food and Environmental Technology Is the Hosting related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
This project will develop a saliva-based multi-omics predictive framework to monitor inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) activity and predict disease flare-ups, integrating high-resolution metabolomics and targeted lipid mediator profiling with advanced machine learning models.
The research will address the following three key questions:
Can saliva metabolomic and lipidomic signatures discriminate between active and remission phases in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis?
Can time‑aware machine learning models predict disease flare 3–6 months before clinical manifestation?
Which metabolic and inflammatory lipid mediator pathways are associated with disease progression and resolution dynamics?
The project aims to:
advanced knowledge in advanced metabolomics and machine learning approaches as innovative medical diagnosis tools;
introduce innovative predictive modelling strategies in non‑invasive IBD monitoring;
strengthen interdisciplinary integration between analytical chemistry and clinical gastroenterology;
contribute to addressing relevant scientific and societal challenges.
How will you carry out your work?  Methodologically, the project will adopt a longitudinal multi-omics design integrating high-resolution untargeted metabolomics, targeted lipid mediator profiling focused on inflammatory and oxidative stress pathways; rigorous analytical workflows; advanced predictive modelling strategies; model interpretability approaches, and biomarker panel reduction for clinical applicability.
The selected fellow will be encouraged to progressively develop an independent research profile within this framework.
Who will supervise you – and why is this strong mentoring?  The project will be supervised by  Prof. Federico Fanti , tenure-track researcher and Head of the Mass Spectrometry Laboratory at the University of Teramo.
Prof. Fanti has an active research profile in LC-MS-based metabolomics, lipid mediator analysis, and translational biomarker development, with over 50 peer-reviewed publications in international journals. His expertise spans analytical method development, multi-omics workflows, and integration of chemometrics and machine learning in biomedical research.
The laboratory provides a stimulating interdisciplinary environment with direct access to advanced mass spectrometry platforms and established clinical collaborations, fostering scientific independence, methodological rigor, and international exposure.
Why is UniTE a competitive host institution for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship?  The University of Teramo (UniTE) offers a highly structured and supportive environment for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows.
Selected candidates applying to the MSCA PF 2026 call will benefit from:
Full support from the UniTE MSCA Desk throughout the entire pre-award phase ;
Dedicated proposal training (MSCA PF Master Class) ;
Two-step professional proposal review (sequential reviews before submission) .
Funded fellows will also benefit from:
Full support from the UniTE MSCA Desk for the post-award phase;
A tailored welcome and mobility support service (arrival, departure, and administrative procedures);
Access to state-of-the-art mass spectrometry laboratories and analytical infrastructures;
Opportunities for collaboration with clinical partners and international institutes to strengthen the fellow’s international profile;
UniTE is strongly committed to Open Science, Gender Equality, research integrity, and high-quality doctoral and postdoctoral training.
Are you the ideal candidate for this fellowship?  We welcome applications from outstanding early-career researchers who:
hold a PhD in analytical chemistry, or related fields;
have a strong research background in chemometrics approaches applied to instrumental data, with demonstrated experience with open-source coding (Python/R) ;
demonstrate excellent academic writing skills in English;
are motivated to develop an…