Requirements: English
Company: Human Technopole Foundation
Region: Milan , Lombardy
APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: June 13th, 2025Human 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 a Postdoc 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 scalesMulti-omics bioinformatic analysis, with a strong focus on integrative data analysis to pursue mechanistic convergences and actionable hubs for clinical translationSee previous work on the research topics of this call:Caporale, N. et al. Multiplexing cortical brain organoids for the longitudinal dissection of developmental traits at single-cell resolution. Nature Methods 113 (2024).Bosone, C. et al. A polarized FGF8 source specifies frontotemporal signatures in spatially oriented cell populations of cortical assembloids. Nature Methods 113 (2024).He, Z. et al. An integrated transcriptomic cell atlas of human neural organoids. Nature 635, 690698 (2024).Lpez-Tobn, A. et al. GTF2I dosage regulates neuronal differentiation and social behavior in 7q11.23 neurodevelopmental disorders. Science Advances 9, eadh2726 (2023).Caporale, N. et al. From cohorts to molecules: Adverse impacts of endocrine disrupting mixtures. Science 375, eabe8244 (2022).Cheroni, C. et al. Benchmarking brain organoid recapitulation of fetal corticogenesis. Transl. Psychiatry 12, 520 (2022).Key tasks and responsibilitiesMathematical 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 perturbationsAnalyse and integrate high-content microscopy data with single cell multi-omics of complex organoids models.Work alongside experimental biologists to design and formulate innovative hypothesis aiming at high resolution understanding of neurodevelopmental disordersEstablishing reproducible and well-documented bioinformatic pipelines for the standardised analysis of internal and external single cell multi-omics datasets.Supporting 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.Communicating, explaining and contextualising computational results to a wide variety of collaborators with varying degrees of know-how.Maintaining and documenting 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 InstructionsPlease apply online by sending:i) a CVii) a motivation letter in Englishiii) names and contacts of 2 refereesFor any inquiry about the call, please feel free to contact Prof. Giuseppe Test