We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher with expertise in computational biology to join the Safety of Gene Therapy and Insertional Mutagenesis Research Unit at the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget), Milan, Italy. https://research.hsr.it/en/institutes/san-raffaele-telethon-institute-for-gene-therapy/safety-of-gene-therapy-and-insertional-mutagenesis.html.

The position: We are especially looking for outstanding motivated ambitious candidates, with a proven track record of experience in the field of genomics and computational biology, interested in working in an international and competitive research environment. The successful candidate will work primarily on the analysis of genomics data: namely genome-wide data obtained by high throughput sequencing-based techniques, including gene expression (e.g. RNA-seq), chromatin marks (e.g. ChIP-seq) and chromatin 3D architecture (e.g. Hi-C and Micro-C). The development of new methods and tools for data analysis is expected to be part of the postdoctoral research activity as well.

The Institute: SR-Tiget was created in 1996 as a joint-venture between Fondazione Telethon and Ospedale San Raffaele (OSR), with the mission to perform cutting edge research on gene and cell therapy and to translate its results into therapeutic advances for genetic diseases. The Institute is located within the OSR campus, which includes a large multi-disciplinary research hospital, a biomedical research center, a university and also hosts several biotechnologies companies. Over the years, SR-Tiget has given a pioneering contribution to the gene and cell therapy field with relevant discoveries in vector design, gene transfer and gene editing strategies, stem cell biology, identity and mechanism of action of regulatory cells in immune responses and innate immune cells in cancer. SR-Tiget has also established the resources and framework for translating these advances into novel experimental therapies and has implemented several successful gene therapy clinical trials, which have already treated >120 patients and led to the filing and approval of 2 novel advanced therapy medicines.

The group: The Safety of Gene Therapy and Insertional Mutagenesis Research Unit, led by Eugenio Montini, is a multidisciplinary research group aimed to unravel the basic mechanisms governing genotoxicity and to compare the impact of integration of vectors with different designs and/or containing genetic elements to potentially improve their safety. We aim to capitalize on the gained knowledge to devise and validate novel vector designs with improved safety profile to be adopted as “gold standard” in future ex vivo and in vivo gene therapy applications.

Qualifications and Skills
• PhD or equivalent degree in Bioinformatics, Statistics, Biophysics, Computer Science, Molecular Biology or other related fields.
• Previous research experience in the field of genomics and computational biology.
• Proficiency in scripting environments for statistics and data analysis (preferentially R/Bioconductor).
• Proficiency in at least one scripting or programming language (PERL, Python or C/C++).
• Fluent oral and written English

What we offer
• An interdisciplinary research environment
• A competitive salary commensurate with the experience level of the candidates
• Opportunities for further specialized training

Contact details
Applications, including a CV, a cover letter and the names and contact details of at least two referees, should be sent by e-mail to our administrative assistant loperfido.tiziana@hsr.it. Evaluation of applications/interviews will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.