Technician of Technology Development

**APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: June 10th, 2025**

The Human Technopole Foundation is looking for a **Technician**for the UI4 **Technology Development** **Unit** of the National Facility for Genomics.

The National Facility for Genomics provides state-of-the-art and innovative services in genomics. Its core mission is to implement robust experimental and analytical workflows to probe all major domains of genomic exploration, including but not limited to the analysis of DNA, RNA, chromatin and other markers of epigenetic and regulatory activity. These techniques can be applied to diverse areas of biology, with resolution spanning to whole organisms, to tissues or individual cells. Overall, NF Genomics aims to empower research in all domains of genomics for the Italian scientific community at large.

The NF for Genomics foresees four Infrastructural Units (IU):
**UI1 High Throughput Sequencing** mainly focused on providing state-of-the-art high-throughput sequencing services. This dedicated unit specializes in delivering top-tier genomics, transcriptomics, and epigenomics analyses, employing the latest protocols for sample processing and sequencing.

**UI2 Multi-Omics Technologies** specialized in multi-omics technologies. Its focus extends to providing cutting-edge services in single-cell and spatial multi-omics analysis, as well as long-read sequencing. This Unit closely collaborates with the Tissue Processing Unit and NF-Imaging, specifically dedicated to implementing spatial transcriptomics protocols.

**UI3 Computational Genomics** is the computational core of the NF for Genomics, the team is dedicated to developing, implementing, and maintaining automated pipelines for the preprocessing and primary data analysis of sequencing data. This unit closely collaborates with the NF for Data Handling and Analysis.

**UI4 Technology Development** stays at the forefront of innovation, this dedicated team is committed to methods and technology development. The highly qualified staff is continuously engaged in the evaluation of new technologies and instruments, considering them for acquisition into our NF. This dedicated unit specializes in supporting the development, optimization and scale-up of custom experimental protocols, offering these services to the broader scientific community.

In the context above outlined, the** Technician of Technology Development**, reporting directly to the Senior Manager of the IU4, will become part of the team of the **Technology Development Unit** unit of the Genomics National Facility.

**Key tasks and responsibilities**:

- Support the integration, optimization, and standardization of custom protocols, including automation, to ensure robustness and reproducibility.
- Operate and manage sequencing platforms (Illumina, MGI, Oxford Nanopore) and oversee library prep workflows, including use of LIMS for tracking.
- Facilitate the transfer of optimized workflows to other internal units (UI1, UI2) to ensure seamless integration and service continuity.
- Contribute to SOP development, manage lab inventories, and support training of internal/external users to foster collaboration.
- Maintain regular reporting and communication on sequencing project timelines and progress with the team and supervisor.

**Mandatory Requirements**
- At least 1y experience with NGS platforms and protocols, including library preparation, sequencing, and quality control (manually and/or with liquid handling robots)
- Experience in methods development and improvement.
- Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques and laboratory protocols (e.g., DNA/RNA extraction, digital electrophoresis, qPCR, quality controls checks)
- Fluency in English - HT is an international research institute.

**Preferred requirements**
- Working experience in single cell analysis approaches (i.e. microfluidics, plate based) is considered a plus
- Previous experience of working with automated systems for samples preparation (_i.e._ nucleic acids extraction, library preparation).
- Knowledge of epigenetic/multiomics approaches (_e.g_., to profile DNA methylation, chromatin accessibility, histone modifications)
- Knowledge of third-generation single molecule sequencing approaches (Nanopore and/or PacBio) including library preparation, sequencing, and quality metrics evaluation
- Good understanding and critical interpretation of sequencing metrics and related bioinformatics tools to support experimental troubleshooting
- Experience with cellular biology, histology and microscopy would be considered a plus
- Previous experience in a facility

**Organization and social skills**
- Excellent attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and a proactive problem-solving mindset.
- Ability to follow protocols accurately and document procedures meticulously.
- Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to independently develop, optimize, and implement research support within a collaborative team environment.
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