Postdoc in Computational Biology

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: July 21st 2022

Human Technopole (HT) is a new interdisciplinary life science research institute, created and supported by the Italian Government, with the aim of developing innovative strategies to improve human health. HT is composed of five Centres: Computational Biology, Structural Biology, Genomics, Neurogenomics and Health Data Science. The Centres work together to enable interdisciplinary research and to create an open, collaborative environment that will help promote life science research both nationally and internationally. Human Technopole is looking for a Senior Manager of the Genomics Computation Unit for the Genomics Research Centre – Functional Genomics Programme.

The Human Technopole Foundation is looking for a Postdoc in Computational Biology. The position will be a joint appointment between the Functional Genomics and the Computational Biology Research Centres, and jointly supervised by https://humantechnopole.it/en/research-groups/calviello-group/ rel="noopener">Dr. Lorenzo Calviello and https://humantechnopole.it/en/research-groups/jug-group/ rel="noopener">Dr. Florian Jug.

The successful candidate will be supported by a world-class environment with international leaders in advanced analytics and cutting-edge -omics technologies, apply state-of-the art methods in artificial intelligence to targeted questions in functional genomics and mRNA biology.

The Calviello Lab is a hybrid computational/experimental research group interested in post-transcriptional gene regulation at -omics scale, with a focus on translation and its many connections to mRNA and proteome dynamics.

The Jug Lab focuses on developing new algorithmic solutions for pressing computational tasks, typically employing a combination of deep learning/machine learning and various optimization techniques. The Jug Lab also actively creates and contributes to various open software tools that are used by tens of thousands of users world-wide.

Main tasks and responsibilities

The chosen candidate will work on: 

• projects focused on large scale analysis of -omics datasets profiling molecular processes at single-nucleotide resolution (including Ribo-seq, CLIP-seq, SLAM-seq).
• develop computational methods to unbiasedly identify the features predictive of different regulatory steps in the gene expression cascade, towards a quantitative, data-driven understanding of molecular processes and accurate applications in personalized medicine.
• report to and receive support by Dr. Calviello and Dr. Jug and will work in collaboration with all team members. Collaborations and interactions with anyone on HT campus are highly encouraged to develop independent research projects and prepare for a successful future in interdisciplinary science.

• A PhD degree in Computational Biology or related discipline, with a focus on quantitative analysis methods.
• Proven track record of research activity in Computational Biology, Functional Genomics and/or Machine Learning.
• Background in statistical learning methods, with a focus on interpretable models. Familiarity with AI approaches, especially in Natural Language Processing, is considered a plus.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or R (Bioconductor).
• Experience with HPC and Unix systems.
• Familiarity with different aspects of computational research, such as reproducibility, version control, dynamic reporting (e.g. Jupyter notebooks, Rmarkdown).
• In-depth knowledge of next generation library preparation techniques. Previous experience with analysis of multiple RNA-seq technologies is considered a plus.

Required personal skills

• Ability to work independently.
• Willingness to frequently discuss results and ideas, highlighting controls and potential pitfalls, using concise and clear presentations.
• Fluency in English (HT is an international research institute).
• Motivation to interact lively with colleagues in the lab, other departments, and the larger scientific community in various events (journal clubs, lab meetings, seminars, hackathons, international conferences, etc.).
• Strong communication skills and respect for their own and other colleagues’ work, towards fostering a transparent, collaborative, stimulating, and welcoming scientific environment.
• Willingness in identifying third-party funding sources, towards promoting growth into full academic independence.

Application Instructions:

Please apply by sending a CV, a motivation letter in English, and contact information for 3 references.

Additional Information:

HT offers a highly collaborative, international and diverse work environment. The working language is English. HT will foster top quality, interdisciplinary research by promoting a vibrant environment consisting of independent research groups that will attract outstanding graduate students and postdoctoral fellows. HT scientists will have full access to cutting-edge Core Facilities.

HT is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to a leading, internationally competitive research organization. HT seeks to promote a collegial and family-friendly atmosphere.

The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme, medical and other social benefits, as well as financial support for relocation and installation, including the family. Researchers coming to Italy for the first time, or returning after residing abroad, benefit from very attractive income tax benefits.

Number of positions offered: 1

Contract offered: CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, Employee level, contract duration 4 years.