Job description
APPLICATION CLOSING DATE : February 28th, 2024
About Human Technopole:
Human Technopole (HT) is an interdisciplinary life science research institute, created and supported by the Italian government, with the aim of developing innovative strategies to improve human health. Researchers at HT work together to enable interdisciplinary research and to create an open, collaborative environment that will help promote life science research both nationally and internationally.
At Human Technopole we house a central unit dedicated to facilitating the generation of novel molecular datasets from clinically annotated patient cohorts, and for the development of patient-derived model systems from human samples.
About the position:
In this core unit, we are seeking a Technician for Genome Editing and CRISPR Screening. As a core post, the Gene Editing and CRISPR Screening officer will be generating, culturing, and manipulating patient-derived organoid models and setting up and maintaining experimental pipelines for CRISPR-based genome editing screens of healthy and diseased tissues to support various research projects at HT. The focus will be on gastrointestinal organoids.
We are seeking a highly motivated applicant with expertise in functional genomic assays, genome editing, genetic-perturbation, single-cell CRISPR and drug screens. The post will have a solid molecular biology background, experience with mammalian tissue culturing, knowledge of CRISPR screens and will be highly organized and meticulous. Applicants should have a degree in biological sciences or equivalent. Excellent organizational and communication skills are essential. The candidate will collaborate with other members of HT, including computational scientists and bioinformaticians for the analysis of the data. They will work closely with a diverse team to formulate and validate hypotheses. Eventual genomic profiling of the systems will be supported by the HT National Facility for Genomics, which is equipped with the latest cutting-edge sequencing platforms. The candidate will collaborate closely with both, the HT National Facility for Genomics and the HT National Facility for Genome Editing.
The successful candidate will report to Prof. Andrea Sottoriva, who is also the Head of the Computational Biology Research Centre.
Key tasks and responsibilities
- Designing and performing genome editing and drug screening experiments using human cancer model systems (e.g., human cell lines, and patient-derived organoid cultures).
- Conducting experiments in cell biology, with strong emphasis on development and optimization protocols for drug screening applied to human cells.
- Applying, generating, and optimizing protocols for genome editing using CRISPR-Cas9 technologies.
- Setting up targeted and genome-wide CRISPR screens
- Setting up single cell perturbation screens
- Working closely with colleagues from the HT National Facility for Genome Editing.
- Collaborating with the HT National Facility for Genomics for sample sequencing.
- Liaising with the Lab Manager and other staff to write risk assessments and ensure that they are regularly updated.
- Generating reliable data for publication in the projects to which they are assigned and recording all data and results in specified forms.
- Performing meticulous sample tracking, storing and QC.
- Providing technical support and supervision to other laboratory members, including introduction, and teaching of new laboratory techniques and supporting of the use of lab equipment.
- Liaising with the Centre’ Lab Manager and other staff to write risk assessments and ensure that they are regularly updated.
Job requirements
Essential requirements:
- Master’s degree in a relevant subject, e.g., molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or in a related field of the life sciences (obtained within 3 months from closing of the call).
- Considerable experience in genome editing.
- Fluency in English – HT is an international research institute.
Preferential requirements:
- Documented hands-on experience with the application of cutting-edge methods in cell biology, including human organoids culture.
- Strong background in molecular biology, experience with viral and non-viral vector development, and clone screening.
- Experience in bacterial transformation, and restriction enzyme analysis.
- Knowledge or experience in genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 screening with patient-derived model systems.
- Experience in genomic techniques, transfection, and knockdown experiments (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, siRNA, shRNA, antisense and similar technologies).
- Familiarity with 10x single-cell genomics assays.
- Knowledge on flow cytometry technologies and applications is considered advantageous.
- Considerable experience in drug screening is considered advantageous.
- Experience with handling large-scale projects is considered advantageous.
Organizational and social skills:
- Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and to work independently.
- Excellent organization and communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour.
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Application Instructions
Please apply online by sending:
i) a CV.
ii) a motivation letter in English.
iii) names and contacts of 2 referees.
For any inquiry about the call, please feel free to contact Prof Andrea Sottoriva at [email protected] (this email address should not be used to send applications).
Why Human Technopole
HT seeks scientific excellence, we recruit the best scientific talents through international, open calls.
Our working environment is international, friendly and inclusive. Our scientists work together across disciplines on research topics of biomedical relevance, leveraging synergies between their diverse skillsets and methodological approaches.
We believe that highly diverse teams yield the best and most innovative results.
We engage in outward-facing scientific activities aimed at benefiting the national and international research community. Training is also at the heart of our activity, with initiatives and opportunities for our staff, including scientific courses, conferences and workshops.
Main benefits
- Welfare plans.
- Canteen service.
- Work-life balance provisions.
- Italian language training for foreigners.
- Maternity leave up to 1 year and other support for new parents.
- Counseling.
- Possibility of flexible working hours
- Support for relocation.
- Tax benefits where applicable.
Special consideration will be given to candidates who are part of the protected categories list, according to L. 68/99.
Number of positions offered: 1
Contract offered: CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, contract duration to be determined - employee level.
The position is based in Milan.