OverviewPostdoc in CRISPR Meta-Analytics and AI for Therapeutic Target Discovery and Priotisation (OpenTargets Perturbation Catalogue Project).Application closing date: 05/10/2025. Human Technopole (HT) is an interdisciplinary life science research institute supported by the Italian government. The Iorio Lab operates at the intersection of biology, machine learning, statistics, and information theory to understand how genomic alterations and molecular traits contribute to pathological processes and influence therapeutic responses in human cancers and other diseases. The project focuses on creating an online repository of data from functional genetics screens and post-perturbational experiments, with a meta-analytics work package for reproducibility assessment, harmonisation, and analysis of inter-study CRISPR datasets, and AI-based methods for therapeutic target prioritisation pipelines.The selected candidate will be an integral part of the team, extending existing algorithms and tools and designing novel methods to support data analysis, curation, interpretation, and exploitation for target discovery and prioritisation.Key Tasks and ResponsibilitiesGathering existing cancer functional genomics and dependency map datasets, in combination with the OT Perturbation Catalogue data, and implementing methods for their comparisons and integration.Using existing computational pipelines and designing novel methods for computational meta-analysis of CRISPR datasets; aggregation and harmonisation of multiple inter-study CRISPR screens.Refining existing anti-cancer therapeutic target prioritisation pipelines and designing novel ones incorporating AI-based methods, then executing them on harmonised cancer-related perturbation data.Investigating how the developed methods could be extended to neurodegeneration and other diseases of interest, beyond cancer.Interacting with other teams across participating institutes and presenting advances at Open Targets meetings and Integration days.Writing and contributing to manuscripts and creating figures derived from research findings for submission to peer-reviewed journals.Presenting findings at seminars, conferences, and workshops.Mentoring students and junior staff and providing internal training to enhance team skills.Collaborating with team members and external experts, sharing scientific ideas internally.Hands-on experience in data science, preferably life sciences or medicine.QualificationsA PhD degree (obtained at the call closure time or near completion) in a relevant subject, e.g., bioinformatics, computer science, mathematics, physics, engineering or a related field of science.Proven track record demonstrating the ability to lead projects independently.Experience in the analysis of genomics or functional-genomics datasets.Fluency in English – HT is an international research institute.Preferred requirementsExperience with the analysis of data from CRISPR-Cas9 screens, siRNA, shRNA, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) or similar technologies.Experience with handling large-scale datasets.Statistics and Machine-learning background.Familiarity with cancer genomics.Familiarity with the Cancer Dependency Map and portfolio of tools and resources.Social and organizational skillsAbility to interact effectively with other teams and work synergistically to drive projects forward.Proven communication, team building and problem-solving skills.Networking and public speaking proficiency.Application InstructionsPlease apply online by submitting a single document that includes: i) a CV; ii) names and contacts of 2 referees. For any inquiry about the call, contact Dr Francesco Iorio (Francesco.iorio at fht.org). This email address should not be used to send applications.Additional InformationThe remuneration package is internationally competitive and comprises a highly competitive salary, pension scheme, medical and other social benefits and support for relocation and installation. The contract is for 3 years.HT offers a highly collaborative, international culture to foster top quality, interdisciplinary research with access to outstanding graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and core facilities. HT is an inclusive employer and provides equal employment opportunities regardless of age, race, creed, religion, sex, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, or any other legally recognized status.The Human Technopole Foundation is based in Milan, recently named the city with the best quality of life in Italy. Benefits include work-life balance provisions, Italian language training for foreigners, parental leave up to 1 year and other support, counseling, relocation support, and attractive 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, Fixed-term 3 years - Employee Level. Salary range: up to 40K, depending on seniority. The position is based in Milan.References: Dempster et al. (2019) Nat. Commun. 10:5817; Behan et al. (2019) Nature 568:511–516; Pacini et al. (2024) Cancer Cell. 10.1016/j.ccell.2023.12.016. The Foundation reserves the right to extend, suspend, modify, revoke, or cancel this job posting without giving rise to any rights or claims, and may not proceed with awards due to regulatory provisions or other circumstances.
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