Doing a Postdoc in Advanced Therapies: why choose SR-Tiget?

At SR-Tiget, Postdocs are trained through excellence in research, a translational vision, mentorship, and international opportunities.

Choosing where to pursue a postdoc in advanced therapies is a strategic step in a researcher’s career. It is at this stage that scientists begin to define not only their area of expertise, but also their approach to research itself.

For those working in advanced therapies, this decision may carry even greater importance. It is not simply about contributing to scientific knowledge, but about being part of a process that can lead to new therapeutic options for patients. In this context, undertaking a postdoc at SR-Tiget means joining an environment where basic research, translational development and clinical application are closely interconnected and continuously inform one another.

This integration is what makes the experience particularly valuable. It is not only about what researchers learn at the bench, but about developing the ability to see how their work fits within a broader pathway—one that can ultimately reach the patient’s bedside.

Becoming a postdoc marks a turning point in a researcher’s career, where the role begins to change fundamentally. After the PhD years - often structured around a defined project - the postdoctoral phase is when scientists gain real independence and start thinking in broader, more strategic terms.

“I’ve always described it as the most enjoyable phase in a researcher’s career, because you begin to reach a level of scientific maturity that allows you to truly enjoy designing and running experiments, without the full pressure of having to secure funding” says Andrea Ditadi, Group Leader of the Human Hematopoietic Development and Disease Modelling Unit.

It is a shift from an execution-driven to a design-driven mindset. The focus is no longer just on carrying out experiments, but on asking new questions, identifying meaningful problems, and building coherent research pathways to address them. In other words, it is the moment when researchers move from asking “What is the next experiment?” to “What is the next scientific question worth exploring?”

At SR-Tiget, this transition is particularly evident. “Postdocs work in an environment that fosters progressive independence: on the one hand, through a high level of scientific excellence and a highly stimulating setting; on the other, because they are encouraged to take an active role in shaping and developing their projects” Ditadi continues.

This also translates into significant professional growth. Over time, postdocs become reference points in specific research areas, developing deep expertise and gaining the ability to lead substantial parts of the scientific work. At this stage, researchers not only consolidate their technical expertise, but also develop the decision-making and organisational capabilities that are critical for advancing to the next phases of their careers.

Another defining feature of SR-Tiget is its highly integrated and interdisciplinary nature, where different areas of expertise are in constant dialogue and individual contributions feed into a shared institutional strategy.

“In a world where science is becoming increasingly specialised, SR-Tiget constantly encourages researchers to maintain a broader perspective. It is a real training ground for systems thinking: even when working on a specific project, you are continuously prompted to consider how your work contributes to the bigger picture,” explains Aida Paniccia, Head of the SR-Tiget Research Strategy and Communication Office and Postdoctoral Program Coordinator.

One of the defining aspects of a postdoc experience at SR-Tiget is the opportunity to build on strong basic research while developing a broader understanding of the pathway that leads to therapy. In this context, studying fundamental biological mechanisms is not just a starting point, but the very core of therapeutic innovation.

“What makes SR-Tiget unique is precisely its ability to combine the continuous exploration of emerging biological paradigms with the development and application of advanced technologies, turning this integration into innovative therapies,” explains Andrea Ditadi.

At SR-Tiget, researchers also gain first-hand insight into how scientific knowledge is translated into real-world applications, from the design of therapeutic strategies through to manufacturing, scalability and clinical implementation. It is a complex, multidisciplinary process that demands close integration across domains, and it is precisely this complexity that makes the experience so valuable from a training perspective.

The interaction between different professional profiles - from basic scientists to development experts, through to those working on clinical and regulatory aspects - helps build a holistic, non-fragmented view of the process. This kind of exposure is rarely found in other research institutions and represents one of the most distinctive features of the SR-Tiget ecosystem.

“It is an environment that provides researchers - even those working on basic science projects - with the mindset needed to understand and navigate the entire advanced therapy development cycle, breaking down the silos between research and development. This perspective helps turn scientific contributions into real impact, enabling researchers, over time, to contribute more effectively to innovation in the field of advanced therapies,” emphasises Aida Paniccia.

While scientific excellence is the essential foundation of any postdoctoral path, at SR-Tiget, training goes well beyond research output. Alongside the development of technical expertise, the institute promotes a broader and more structured approach to professional growth, supporting researchers throughout every stage of their experience.

A key role is played by the sense of community. The Postdoc Committee, made up of postdoctoral researchers themselves, acts as an active point of reference both scientifically and socially. Through seminars, guest talks and networking events, it helps create a dynamic environment where peer exchange becomes an integral part of the learning process.

At the same time, SR-Tiget invests in the development of transferable skills that are increasingly critical for a scientific career. Among these, the ability to communicate research effectively—both within specialist contexts and to non-expert audiences—plays a central role.

“Postdocs are encouraged to engage with a variety of settings, from outreach activities in schools to participation in public events, learning how to adapt their language and approach depending on the audience” says Aida Paniccia.

Other key competencies relate to project management and professional relationships. As their autonomy grows, postdocs are required to coordinate activities, collaborate across teams and interact with stakeholders at different levels of responsibility. This demands not only strong scientific foundations, but also organisational skills, clear communication and an awareness of the broader context in which they operate. To support this development, SR-Tiget offers dedicated training in grant writing, project management and scientific communication—practical tools that enable researchers to manage complex projects and present their work effectively.

At the same time, the postdoctoral phase becomes a period of learning by doing, where many of the skills that are rarely taught formally are developed in practice. From teamwork and the management of complex collaborations to shaping a personal career vision, these elements play a crucial role in defining a researcher’s profile well beyond the laboratory.

The result is a training model that aims not only to produce excellent scientists, but professionals who can navigate complex ecosystems with confidence—where research, development and application are increasingly interconnected.

Within this training ecosystem, the European training program BEYOND represents a further step forward in structuring opportunities for postdocs. Coordinated by Fondazione Telethon and funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, BEYOND aims to strengthen training in the field of advanced therapies while broadening researchers’ international and professional perspectives.

The program is built on three key pillars: international mobility, interdisciplinarity and intersectoral exposure. Its goal is to train researchers capable of navigating the entire value chain of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), developing not only high-level scientific expertise, but also a deeper understanding of the processes that bring discoveries from the lab to the patient.

A defining feature of BEYOND is its strong European dimension. In addition to SR-Tiget and Tigem, the program involves leading centres of excellence such as the Lund Stem Cell Center in Sweden, the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute in the United Kingdom, and the National Institute of Chemistry in Slovenia. This network enables researchers to engage with diverse scientific environments and enrich their experience through mobility and collaboration pathways.

Overall, the program offers 35 postdoctoral positions, distributed across two recruitment calls between 2026 and 2027, within a five-year project framework. The first call is currently open, with applications due by 30 June 2026. Its intersectoral dimension is further strengthened by the involvement of non-academic partners, including Assobiotec and Medicon Valley Alliance, providing opportunities for direct engagement with industry and the broader European biotech ecosystem.

BEYOND addresses a growing need in the research landscape: overcoming the fragmentation of skills and training professionals able to operate across the full value chain of advanced therapies. In a field where technological and regulatory complexity continues to increase, the ability to integrate multiple perspectives is becoming essential to accelerate innovation and support the translation of scientific discoveries into real clinical applications.

One of SR-Tiget’s strategic priorities is to further strengthen its international dimension, making it increasingly attractive to researchers from diverse backgrounds.

In this context, initiatives such as BEYOND represent an important step, but they are part of a broader vision. The ambition is not only to attract talent from abroad, but to build an ecosystem where mobility is an integral part of training, rather than an exception.

Alumni data confirm the strength of this approach. “Among researchers who have completed a postdoc at SR-Tiget in recent years, around 50% have continued their careers in academia, while the remaining are split between industry (around 25%) and other roles within the research ecosystem, such as regulatory affairs, scientific management and communication (around 25%)” explains Aida Paniccia. These are diverse career paths, but they share a common feature: the ability to operate effectively in complex and highly specialised environments.

The geographical dimension is equally significant. A substantial proportion of these researchers continue their careers abroad, across Europe or in the United States, often in leading institutions.

“Rather than indicating a loss, this should be seen as a marker of the quality of the training provided. In an increasingly international research system, mobility is a structural value: the goal is not to retain talent at all costs, but to train professionals who can compete and contribute on a global scale” emphasises Andrea Ditadi.

Pursuing a postdoc in advanced therapies at SR-Tiget therefore means entering a demanding yet opportunity-rich environment, where scientific excellence, international openness and professional development are closely intertwined. It is a context that does not simply train researchers, but helps shape career paths—equipping individuals with the tools and perspective needed to navigate the future of research with confidence.