Job description:
The job is a full time position for an early stage researcher (ESR) in the field of genetics. The ESR will be enrolled in and follow the PhD program “PhD in Biotechnology” of the Biotechnology Department, University of Verona
Job duration: 36 months
Project title: Genetics of nutrition in ageing.
Institution description:
Personal Genomics s.r.l. mission is to provide the market with products, services and solutions with highly innovative value in the biotechnology field. PG provides a series of cutting-edge products and services in the field of genetics, translating the results of genomic studies in genetic tests that measure the individual propensity to develop specific diseases. Moreover, PG offers a service of personalized genomics that combines state-of-the-art sequencing technologies with highly advanced software for data interpretation.
Personal Genomics s.r.l. is actively involved in several basic research projects, both at national and international levels. It has been previously involved in 1 FP7 project, and it is currently involved in 3 H2020 projects.
Massimo Delledonne, Personal Genomics s.r.l. Scientific Director, has a long-standing expertise in plant and human genetics in next-generation sequencing approaches. He has been supported by the EMBO Young Investigator Program and he is a member of the International Cancer Genome Consortium and of the Understand Your Genome program.
Working place
PG operates within the Functional Genomics Lab, University of Verona and has access to the most advanced technologies for genetic analysis based on next generation sequencing (Illumina, PacBio, Oxford Nanopore). PG is also specialized in the analysis and interpretation of genomic data.
A secondment in The Netherlands (Vrije University Amsterdam) is planned.
Project description
The objective of the ESR research project is to focus on the relationship between genetic background, nutrition and ageing phenotypes (sarcopenia/frailty). The ESR will characterize genetic determinants of ageing-related conditions, e.g. inflammation and sarcopenia, and genetic variants that can influence nutritional habits of elders. To this aim, the ESR will carefully integrate literature search, results from genome-wide analysis and data generated by next-generation sequencing. Candidate genomic regions will be assessed in large cohorts provided by PANINI partners. Association between genetic variants, phenotypes and response to intervention will be evaluated using the most advanced bioinformatics and statistical approaches in order to develop genetic tests 1) to predict the risk to develop sarcopenic/frail phenotypes; 2) to tailor nutritional and physical interventions on the basis of the genetic background in order to maximize efficacy. Although the ESR will actively participate to the experimental procedures for genetic analysis, he/she will be particularly focused on bioinformatics analysis and data interpretation.
To complement this training, the project includes a planned secondment at the Vrije University Amsterdam (at month 20 of the project, for 2 months), where the ESR will learn different approaches for the assessment of nutritional and physical activity in frail older adults.
Candidate profile
- master degree in Health Biology, Bioinformatics or related fields
- experience in bioinformatics and data analysis, although appreciated, is not mandatory
- Language: English
Notes:
• There are 11 available PhD studentships in the PANINI network. For details see: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/generic/panini/index.aspx .
• To apply for this particular PhD, send an email to info@personalgenomics.it
• This studentship is part of an international training network – Physical Activity and Nutrition INfluences In ageing (PANINI) including cross-Europe training and secondments.
• Living allowance: : 3,318.37 Euro per month, Mobility allowance: 600 Euro per month. Family Allowance: if applicable 500 Euro per month.
• This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No [675003].
Eligibility rules:
• The candidate must not have lived in host country for more than 12 months in previous 3 years to appointment.
• The candidate must be in first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of research career at time of recruitment (1st day of post). Research career dates from date of degree which entitles person to start on PhD degree (e.g. BSc, MSc).
• The PhD student will be recruited as an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) so will be a member of staff, with salary subject to national tax and social security deductions and benefits.
