Computational Rna Biologist | Polo'S Laboratory

pIFOM is an internationally recognized non-profit cancer research institute supported by AIRC, Foundation for Cancer Research, based in Milan within a highly dynamic urban environment /ppIFOM continuous success is ensured by the recruitment of highly selected undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate researchers from over 24 countries worldwide.
/ppIFOM is committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment, based on mutual respect and the enhancement of diversity, offering equal job opportunities to all qualified candidates.
/ppbr / /ppWe seek for our Institute: strongComputational RNA Biologist /strong /ppbr / /ppstrongAbout the position /strong /ppBioinformatic position to lead the computational discovery pipeline connecting RNA isoform diversity to protein structure prediction.
Alternative splicing is pervasive in cancer, yet its structural consequences remain largely uncharted.
The candidate will: /ppbr / /pulliIntegrate long-read (Iso-Seq/Nanopore) and short-read RNA-seq data from colorectal cancer cohorts to curate full-length transcript variants and define translationally supported open reading frames, combining transcript-level and ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq) evidence to distinguish real, translated isoforms from noise.
/liliDevelop systematic workflows for investigating the structural consequences of alternative splicing (AlphaFold2/3, AlphaFold-Multimer, or equivalent): how exon inclusion or skipping events reshape domain architecture, interaction interfaces in cancer-relevant isoforms.
/liliUse the resulting atlas to generate concrete, testable mechanistic hypotheses: which isoforms lose or gain functional motifs, which show tumor-biased expression shifts, and which are worth prioritizing for experimental validation by the lab's wet-lab team.
/li /ulpbr / /ppstrongDepartment overview /strong /ppMolecular Machines in Signalling Pathways group, led by Prof. Simona Polo, at IFOM.
The position is supported by a 5-year AIRC research programme focused on alternative splicing in colorectal cancer.
/ppbr / /ppstrongProfile Description /strong /ppThe ideal candidate is a motivated researcher holding a PhD in structural bioinformatics, computational chemistry, or a related field, with a track record of independent research (e.G., first-author publications).
The candidate should be fluent in both protein structure and RNA sequence data, able to reason about biological questions, and capable of working collaboratively with experimental wet-lab colleagues across multiple projects.
/ppbr / /ppstrongLanguage skills /strong /ppProficiency in English for speaking and writing is expected.
/ppbr / /ppstrongRequired skills /strong /pulliPrevious research experience in integrating multi-omic sequencing data (long-read Iso-Seq/Nanopore and short-read RNA-seq); br / /liliHands-on experience with AlphaFold2/3 or equivalent structure prediction tools at scale; br / /liliProgramming proficiency in Python.
Working knowledge of container technologies (e.G., Singularity) and workflow managers (e.G., Nextflow).
Experience with distributed/HPC computing (e.G., SLURM); br / /liliSolid groundingin alternative splicing and protein biochemistry (protein folding, domain architecture, binding interfaces); br / /liliTrack record ofpublications in peer-reviewed journals.
/li /ulpbr / /ppstrongAdditionally desired skills /strong /pulliFamiliarity with Ribosome profiling (Ribo-seq); br / /liliExperience withanalysis of single-cell and spatial omics datasets; br / /li /ulpbr / /ppstrongEducational experience /strong /ppPhD in structural bioinformatics, computational chemistry, or a closely related field; br / /ppbr / /ppstrongWhat we offer /strong /ppInternational work environment; br / Flextime;br / Guest house inside the Campus /ppAgreements with discounts for Gym, Pharmacy, Psychology service and various shops around IFOM area; br / Bar and canteen inside the campus lunch benefit /ppCompany Nursery; br / Continuous support to candidates and their families (including homing, schooling, registration to the national health system, work permit etc.) thanks to the activities of the Welcome office; br / Medical Service;br / Laptop; br / Caf service- tax declaration; br / /ppbr / /ppstrongType of Contract /strong /ppem3-year postdoctoral position, aligned with the AIRC-funded programme /em /ppbr / /ppstrongSalary /strong /ppup to €40,000 gross/year, depending on the candidate's seniority /ppbr / /ppstrongLocation /strong /ppMilan – Scalo di Porta Romana area /ppbr / /ppstrongContacts /strong /ppCandidates should send their CV together with a cover letter describing their interest in applying for the role and explain how they meet the set criteria, and contact details of their referees to em.
/em /ppbr / /ppApplications including a cover letter will be reviewed as they are received and will continue to be considered until the position is filled.
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