As an academic supervisor, my philosophy emphasizes fostering a supportive and collaborative environment that nurtures both academic and personal development. I believe mentorship extends beyond guiding research; it should inspire independent thinking and confidence. Open-mindedness is at the heart of my approach, welcoming diverse cultures and perspectives to enrich discussions and foster creativity. This inclusivity prepares students and researcher for diverse teamwork and global engagement.
I value open communication and see supervision as a two-way exchange, focusing on dialogue to help develop problem-solving and interpersonal skills. By listening actively and providing tailored feedback, I encourage to recognize strengths and build each person potential.
Rejecting strict hierarchies, I treat students (or young researchers) as colleagues in training who contribute meaningfully to shared research. This approach fosters autonomy, trust, and motivation. Balancing academic rigor with empathy, I aim to create a space where students feel supported both academically and personally. In essence, my supervision philosophy champions inclusivity, open dialogue, and collaboration to advance academic growth and prepare students for impactful careers.
I will open a Post-Doc position in 2026. In the meantime if you are keen to join the team I will support your application for a EMBO Fellowship, to come and work as a post doc within my ERC project EcoMEMO.
I will open a PhD position in my project EcoMEMO in 2025 and one in 2026. In order to apply for the position you will need to enrol in the PhD program at the University of Bologna and go through a competitive selection. More information can be found HERE. You will need to apply by April (usually but check the specific of that year) and you will start on November 1st.
We’re hiring a PhD student!
Project:Effects of recurrent drought events on soil microbial communities
| 📍 University of Bologna | ERC-funded | PhD in Ecology / Microbial Ecology |
Apply your passion for microbes, ecosystems & climate resilience!
About the Project
Join the ERC-fundedEcoMEMOproject exploring how repeated droughts shape soil microbial communities, their traits, and ecosystem functions. The work combines field experiments, molecular biology, stable isotope tracing, and microbial trait analyses to uncover microbial resilience under climate extremes.
Main Responsibilities
• Conduct soil and plant sampling in field experiments
• Analyze microbial communities (amplicon sequencing, PLFA, enzyme assays)
• Investigate microbial traits and C/N cycling under drought
• Collaborate in data analysis and publication writing
Requirements
✅ MSc in Ecology, Microbial Ecology, Environmental Sciences or related
✅ Experience with molecular or microbial lab work or soil biogeochemistry
✅ Strong interest in soil-plant-microbe interactions
✅ Good teamwork and communication skills (English)
🌍 International applicants welcome
🕒 Position starts: November 2025 / Deadline: 1st July 2025
Please feel free to send me an email to know more info on the project, the laboratory life or life in Italy.
I am happy to speak with prospective MS students at the University of Bologna about undertaking an MS project or thesis under my supervision. If you are seeking guidance or project ideas, feel free to email me to arrange a meeting.
I am always eager to support doctoral and postdoctoral fellowship applications, with a strong emphasis on inclusive and supportive mentorship. If you are interested in pursuing independent research within my group, please reach out to discuss potential opportunities. I am particularly enthusiastic about supporting Marie-Curie Fellowship applications for those wishing to join my team in Bologna. The University of Bologna provides exceptional resources and support for these applications. Additionally, I can assist with preparing different grant for postdoctoral researchers to conduct independent research in my group, such as:
Contact me for further details.