Postdocs in Computational Biology - Testa Group

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: February 12th, 2025

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. HT is composed of five Centers: Computational Biology, Structural Biology, Genomics, Neurogenomics and Health Data Science. The Centers work together to enable interdisciplinary research and to create an open, collaborative environment that will help promote life science research both nationally and internationally.

The Human Technopole Foundation is looking for two highly motivated postdocs to work in the group of Prof. Giuseppe Testa, Neurogenomics Research Centre (Testa Group - Human Technopole) in the areas of artificial intelligence and bioinformatics. We are seeking outstanding candidates passionate about the challenges of quantitative approaches to advance human neurobiology and make an impact in neuropsychiatric disorders:

• Artificial Intelligence and mathematical modelling, with key edges in pattern finding across diverse data and multiple observables across scales.
• Multi-omics bioinformatic analysis, with a strong focus on integrative data analysis to pursue mechanistic convergences and actionable hubs for clinical translation.

Key tasks and responsibilities

• Mathematical and computational modelling to study neurodevelopmental dynamics at the single cell level with cutting-edge AI methods.
• Analyse and interpret complex empirical data from stem cell and organoids based disease modelling experiments and connect the molecular and clinical phenotypes to study neurodevelopmental dynamics at the single cell level.
• Develop predictive models from empirical data leveraging genetic and/or pharmacological multiplexed perturbations.
• Analyse and integrate high-content microscopy data with single cell multi-omics of complex organoids models.
• Work alongside experimental biologists to design and formulate innovative hypotheses aiming at high resolution understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders.
• Establish reproducible and well-documented bioinformatic pipelines for the standardised analysis of internal and external single cell multi-omics datasets.
• Support researchers and collaborators by performing bioinformatic analysis and providing advice on the best suited statistical models.
• Strongly interact with wet and dry scientists of the lab.
• Communicate, explain and contextualise computational results to a wide variety of collaborators with varying degrees of know-how.
• Maintain and document software, following best practices of software engineering (e.g., revisioning and containerization).

Mandatory requirements:

• A PhD degree in a quantitative field (bioinformatics, computer science, statistics, mathematics, physics, engineering or similar).
• Proven and extensive knowledge of at least one of the following programming languages: Python (preferable), R, Java, JavaScript, C++, C#.
• Experience in machine learning.
• Previous experience in the analysis of single cell omics datasets and an interest in neurobiology (or previous experience in the field).
• Fluency in English - HT is an international research institute.

Preferred requirements:

• Proficiency with code versioning systems (e.g., git, SVN) and familiarity with container technologies (e.g., Docker, Singularity, Podman); experience working in a Unix/Linux environment.
• Experience in machine learning for omics data.
• Experience in bioinformatics workflow systems (i.e., Nextflow, Snakemake, CWL).

Organizational and soft skills:

• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail; capacity to structure analytical steps in well-documented and reproducible workflows.
• Collaborative attitude and ability to work in teams with colleagues of heterogeneous scientific backgrounds.
• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and to work independently.

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. Giuseppe Testa, *** (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: 2

Contract offered: CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico - 4 years fixed terms - employee level.

Salary range: 40k

Location:Milan