Vanvitelli launches a research program for EPIGA: a 24-month contract in the Department of Precision Medicine.

Opening: What you need to know right away

The University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" is launching a public selection process for one research contract pursuant to Article 22 of Law 240/2010 as part of the EPIGA (Epigenetic Targeting Against Gastric Cancer) project at the Department of Precision Medicine. The contract is full-time and has a duration of 24 months, with an annual commitment of 1.500 hours, dedicated to the 09CDR2026 research profile in the General Pathology and Clinical Pathology group.

What is it about

This is a recruitment process for academic research contracts, aimed at initiating advanced research in molecular biology and epigenetics applied to oncology. The EPIGA project aims to investigate epigenetic and transcriptomic mechanisms related to gastric cancer, with the goal of identifying biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. The setting is an Italian public university that collaborates with a clinical department and hospitals to access patient samples.

The wanted figure

The call for applications concerns a research fellow in General Pathology, part of the EPI-GA/EPIGA project. Specifically, the position seeks a researcher with advanced training in Medical and Biological Biotechnology and documented experience in molecular biology techniques and metastudies on NGS (next-generation sequencing) platforms, such as RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and similar techniques. The expected activities include the integrated analysis of transcriptomic, epigenetic, and mutational profiles on tumor tissue samples, healthy counterparts, and blood collected from gastric cancer patients, as well as the correlation of molecular data with clinical parameters. The candidate is expected to work in a multidisciplinary team, manage biological samples in an ethical manner, and produce publishable results in the context of precision medicine.

It's helpful to distinguish this general description from the official call text: the formal requirements and selection procedures, including scores, laboratory tests, and evaluation criteria, are established by the University and the relevant administration. The profile and activities described here merely outline the typical professional context of a biomedical research contract worker.

Main requirements

According to available documentation, candidates must meet general requirements typical for this type of public contract. These include:

• possess a PhD or equivalent qualification obtained abroad (with possible equivalence) or a medical specialization qualification for the relevant sectors;
• for non-Italians: enjoyment of civil and political rights in their country of origin and adequate knowledge of the Italian language;
• maintain regular citizenship status as provided for in the announcement;
• not have criminal convictions that prevent employment in a public administration;
• not having exceeded the overall duration limits of research contracts (5 years) and not having incompatible employment relationships listed in the announcement;
• have training consistent with Medical and Biological Biotechnology and have documented experience with molecular biology techniques and NGS platforms;

The call also requires specific laboratory activities and ethical management of biological samples, as well as the ability to operate in a multidisciplinary context involving clinicians, researchers, and laboratory technicians.

Contract, location and salary

Key details:

• number of positions: 1 full-time research contract;
• Headquarters: Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” (the operational headquarters is in Campania; the collaboration also involves the AOU “Luigi Vanvitelli” hospital wing for access to biological samples);
• duration: 24 months (annual commitment of 1.500 hours);
• Gross annual salary: indicated in the tender notice as €28.456,48 (including 13 monthly payments, without indexation or revaluation); a note in the official documentation also highlights a small discrepancy in the technical document, reporting €28.456,50; the exact figure is indicated in the tender notice's reference text.

Applications are open to those who can begin within the project's initial period and who do not exceed the mandate limits set by the regulations governing research contract hiring.

How the selection works

The procedure is "qualifications and interview": candidates will compete on a maximum score of 100 points. The evaluation will take into account:

• quality, originality and appropriateness of the project proposal (up to 20 points);
• relevance of experience and publications to the program (up to 5 points);
• oral interview (up to 60 points, with verification of knowledge of the English language and ability to discuss scientific evidence);

The interview will likely include questions on molecular biology, epigenetics applied to oncology, DNA/RNA/protein extraction techniques from tissues, omics analyses (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, TSO500, etc.), and ethical sample management. There is a possibility that part of the interview will be conducted remotely via teleconference.

The final announcement of the results and selections will take place on the University's institutional website, which serves as the official channel for inviting and communicating with participants.

Deadline and how to apply

The exact deadline for submitting applications is October 6, 2026, at 12:00 PM. Applications opened on September 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM. Applications must be submitted exclusively through the Vanvitelli University PICA/Cineca platform (not by post or email). The URL is accessible starting at the indicated times and requires SPID/CIE access: https://pica.cineca.it/unicampania , select call code 09CDR2026. Uploaded documents must be in PDF format, with a maximum file size of 30 MB per attachment. It is important to note that if you submit your application via SPID/CIE, you do not need a paper signature; in other cases, a signature is required according to the procedures set out in the call.

The official inPA portal reports the status "Open" with clearly defined opening and closing dates: opening September 21, 2026, at 12:00 PM and closing October 6, 2026, at 12:00 PM. Candidates are advised to constantly monitor the competition page for any postponements, corrections, or updates regarding the interview location and time.

What to check before sending

Before applying, it is useful to check:

• that the citizenship and residence requirements set out in the announcement for non-Italian citizens are met;
• the willingness to commit 1.500 hours per year for 24 months and the willingness to work within the Department of Precision Medicine;
• the required documentation: scientific curriculum, project proposal, plus publications (while a maximum of 15 publications can be evaluated);
• identification documents, any equivalences or convertibility of qualifications obtained abroad, and language certifications if necessary;
• the PDF format of attachments, avoiding unreadable files or files containing macros and executable code;
• not to exceed the limits of years of previous research contracts (the legislation generally sets a ceiling of 5 years overall for research contracts);
• to constantly monitor the official announcement page for any information regarding the location and time of the interview and for any postponements.

If you have any doubts or are missing crucial information about your profile or specific location, it is always advisable to refer directly to the official competition page and the University website.

Learn more: What this means for candidates

The position is open to individuals with advanced training and solid research experience in biology, pathology, and epigenetics, with the goal of contributing to a line of research aimed at understanding how epigenetic modifications modulate the progression of gastric cancer. For interested candidates, this is an opportunity to work in a nationally recognized academic environment, participating in advanced laboratory activities and a network of institutions collaborating for clinical research and precision medicine.

Useful documents and reference frameworks

The documents listed in the call for applications include: application completed via PICA, scientific-professional CV, project proposal related to the research program, publications (maximum 15) in PDF format, any documents proving the requirements, equivalence of the foreign qualification, residence permit (for non-EU candidates), identification document, disability or learning disability certifications (if applicable). It is essential that the attachments are legible and compliant.

Key aspects for readers/viewers

This opportunity is particularly relevant for those seeking employment in academia and biomedical research, with an interest in precision medicine and epigenetic oncology. The announcement specifies that the selection process will take into account not only qualifications, but also the ability to independently conduct experiments, discuss data, and integrate into a multidisciplinary team. Furthermore, the application process is conducted entirely online through PICA/Cineca, with the interview in Italian and an assessment of English proficiency.

Operational summary

In brief: a 24-month research position in the Department of Precision Medicine at Vanvitelli University, with a gross annual salary of approximately €28.456, materials and deadlines specified in the announcement. Applications are open until 12:00 noon on October 6, 2026, exclusively through PICA/Cineca, with the deadline starting 12:00 noon on September 21, 2026. If you are unsure about the specific requirements or the exact location of the position, we recommend checking the competition page on the University website for official announcements and announcements.

Offer source: inPA – Recruitment Portal.