Luca Ridolfi

Politecnico di Torino is recruiting two postdoctoral researchers for the ERC-funded TIP-FRESH project ( Social Tipping Points for Freshwater Sustainability in the Global Food System ), hosted at the Department of Environment, Land, and Infrastructure Engineering (DIATI). The project is led by Prof. Marta Tuninetti and involves joint supervision with Princeton University (Prof. Simon Levin) and Politecnico di Torino (Prof. Francesco Liao / Prof. Luca Ridolfi, depending on the position). The research is highly interdisciplinary and focuses on food systems , freshwater sustainability , social tipping points , mathematical modeling , statistics , computational sociology , and social network dynamics . Position 1: Mathematical & Statistical Modeling of Food System Tipping Points. The work includes historical diagnosis of food-system evolution from 1961 to 2025, statistical methods such as quantile regression and trend analysis, state-transition models (e.g., Hidden Markov Models), early-warning indicators, and new quantitative frameworks for social tipping points in food consumption patterns. Position 2: Computational Sociology and Social Network Dynamics. The work includes quantitative frameworks and food-related metrics, modeling dietary behaviors and norms spreading through social networks, complex contagion, threshold effects, reinforcement, social influence, and scaling from niches to system-wide tipping points. Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a Ph.D. in applied mathematics, statistics, physics, engineering, network science, computational sociology, or a closely related quantitative field. Strong modeling skills, a strong publication record relative to career stage, and excellent English communication skills are required. Funding: both positions are full-time postdoctoral appointments for 12 months , extendable subject to performance and funding availability. The annual gross salary is €39,224.29 . Application window: submit applications via the Politecnico di Torino careers portal by 30 May 2026 at 3 pm CET . Informal inquiries can be sent to [email protected] .

PhD opportunity in Cardiovascular Deconditioning and Space Medicine at Politecnico di Torino This CSC-funded PhD project is hosted by DIMEAS at Politecnico di Torino, Italy, and focuses on the computational investigation of cardiovascular deconditioning in space medicine. The project is led by Prof. Stefania Scarsoglio and Prof. Luca Ridolfi, with contact via [email protected] and [email protected]. The research addresses how long-duration spaceflight alters cardiovascular function, including cephalad fluid shift, changes in blood volume and venous return, and disrupted hemodynamic regulation. These effects are linked to important mission risks such as Spaceflight-Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The successful candidate will work on a closed-loop, multiscale 0D–1D cardiovascular model and extend it to capture gravity- and posture-dependent processes such as venous collapse, lower-body negative pressure (LBNP), gravity gradients, and Coriolis forces in short-radius artificial gravity. The project combines aerospace engineering, biomedical engineering, and applied mathematics, with strong emphasis on computational science, fluid dynamics, numerical methods, and scientific programming. Model outputs may be compared with non-invasive data from ground-based analogues including head-up/head-down tilt, water immersion, and centrifuge experiments. The research aims to generate testable hypotheses and improve understanding of physiological countermeasures for long-duration spaceflight, especially LBNP and artificial gravity. This is a full-time, temporary PhD position starting 1 November 2027. The application deadline is 10 December 2026. Funding is provided through the China Scholarship Council rather than an EU framework programme. Applicants should review the official PoliTO CSC call and submit via the university application portal. Eligibility highlights include citizenship of the People’s Republic of China, a qualifying Master’s degree completed or expected by the deadline, the required academic record, and English proficiency at CEFR B2 level. Candidates from mechanical, aerospace, or biomedical engineering, physics, applied mathematics, or related quantitative fields are encouraged to apply.