Group Leaders in Computational Biology

Group Leaders in Computational Biology

HT - Human Technopole

Milan, Italy

Job description

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: March 12^th, 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 focuses on seven main research areas: Computational Biology, Structural Biology, Genomics, Neurogenomics, Health Data Science, Molecular Cell Biology, and Biophysical Modelling and Simulation. These areas are organised into five Research Centres thatwork collaboratively to enable interdisciplinary research and to foster an open, collaborative environment that will help promote life science research both nationally and internationally.

Human Technopole is seeking two outstanding early-career scientists to establish their independent research group at HT as Group Leaders in the field of computational and quantitative biology with the aim of developing new mathematical, computational and AI approaches for the analysis and interpretation of life science data. They will carry out high-quality, internationally competitive research and contribute to the international scientific community.

HT provides cutting-edge infrastructure, including high-performance computing, data storage and state-of-the-art experimental core facilities, such as a Genomics Facility, advanced imaging units, and a Data Handling and Analysis Facility, among others.

HT Research Group Leaders benefit from a competitive core support package that includes funds for staff, consumables, and access to HT’s core Facilities and equipment, which can further be expanded by raising extramural funding. HT also provides access to a collaborative network within the Italian research community and close links to its scientific and industry partners.

We welcome research proposals from any area of computational biology applied to human health. However, priority will be given to research programmes in one of the following areas:

1. Computational Imaging & Computer Vision. Developing novel algorithms for quantitative analysis of biomedical imaging data across biological scales, including modern computational and AI techniques from disciplines such as computer vision, pattern recognition, optimization, and AI;
2. Biophysical Modelling of Cells and Tissues. Building biophysical models and integrative simulations to model cell and tissue dynamics in three dimensions. Such efforts leverage on multi-modal molecular, cellular, and tissue-level data to gain insights into cell-cell interactions and emerging properties of complex biological systems, ideally relevant to disease states;
3. Spatial 'omics and Digital Pathology. Integrating cutting-edge machine learning approaches to analyse data from spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and digital histopathology, ideally with the ambition of enabling multi-modal data integration between spatial 'omics and imaging;
4. Computational Structural Biology & Protein Function. Mapping of biomolecular complexes across spatial scales by leveraging cryo-EM and cryo-ET data, using Large Language Models for in silico inference of protein function and mechanisms.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Develop and supervise the establishment of a world-class research programme in computational biology;
• Lead their own research group;
• Foster a diverse and nurturing research environment by leading and mentoring members of their teams;
• Build effective links and collaborations with other HT research investigators;
• Develop and foster links between HT and other national and international research organizations;
• Contribute to the preparation of Centre reports to be reviewed by an external expert board;
• Actively participate in initiatives that pursue improvement of all aspects of HT;
• Actively participate in the co-organization and implementation of activities that will promote the image of HT in the international computational biology community, such as symposia and workshops;
• Contribute to the establishment of a collaborative and open scientific environment by actively participating in meetings and seminar series internal to HT. This will foster synergies between the groups and propagation of knowledge; and
• Raise third-party funding;
• Manage their own budgets.

Job requirements

The selected candidates will have an outstanding track record in an area of computational biology, especially in the development of computational biology approaches for life-science applications. Basic requirements for the position include a PhD in a relevant science subject, and a proven record of scientific research output in a relevant field of computational biology. The selected candidates will stand out for scientific vision, uniqueness of their research programme, leadership skills, and competitiveness in acquiring extramural grants.

Essential requirements

• PhD in mathematics, physics, informatics, data science or relevant science subject;
• Proven record of scientific research output;
• Strong proposal of a competitive research programme in one of the areas mentioned above;
• Fluent command of English.

Preferred requirements

• Outstanding track record in one of the abovementioned areas of Computational Biology;
• Expertise in mathematical modelling and/or data science for biomedicine;
• Theoretical and practical knowledge of basic and more advanced AI methods.

Organisational and social skills

• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour;
• Proven leadership, communication, team building and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to interact effectively with other teams and work synergistically to effectively drive projects;
• Highly organised and meticulous work attitude;
• Ability to build trust through operating with transparency and creating an open and positive environment;
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Additional Information

HT offers a highly collaborative, international culture. The working language at HT will be English. HT will foster top quality, interdisciplinary research by promoting a vibrant environment consisting of independent research groups with access to outstanding graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and core facilities.

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

Application Instructions

Please apply online sending

• Curriculum Vitae including a full publication list;
• Motivation letter explaining your interest in applying for this position;
• Outline of current research interests (1 page);
• Summary of future research plan (2 pages);
• Statement on how the proposed research will synergise and complement current HT research (1 page);
• List of up to three most important publications in the proposed field of research;
• Names and contact details of three referees who have agreed to be contacted.

The Research Group Leader appointment is for five years, with the possibility of renewal upon successful evaluation (5+5). Inquiries can be sent to recruitment@fht.org. Please refer to the HT website for further information about the institute.

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

• Support for relocation;
• Welfare plans;
• Work-life balance provisions;
• Italian language training for foreigners;
• Parental leave up to 1 year and other support for new parents;
• Counseling;
• Canteen service.

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: Fixed-term 5 years with possibility of renewal - Executive level.
The position is based in Milan.

“The Foundation reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to extend, suspend, modify, revoke, or cancel this job posting without giving rise to any rights or claims whatsoever in favor of the candidates; the Foundation reserves, however, the right not to proceed with the awarding of the above-described assignment due to the effect of supervening regulatory provisions and/or obstructive circumstances”.

Apply Now