Bioinformatico

The Ostuni lab combines advanced single-cell and spatial genomics on human samples with

mechanistic studies in the mouse to elucidate how microenvironmental factors shape the behavior

of innate immune cells. Over the years, we contributed to the understanding of the molecular control

and functional implications of macrophage and neutrophil diversity in homeostasis and cancer.

Our research has been published in top scientific journals and is funded by the most prestigious

agencies such as the European Research Council (ERC-StG, ERC-CoG, ERC-PoC). Our vision is that by taking an interdisciplinary approach to understand biology we will develop the next generation of cell and gene therapies for immune-mediated human diseases, such as cancer. In our group, wet-lab and computational scientists engage in a virtuous cycle whereby biology instructs data analysis and data analysis fuels experimental hypothesis.

We discovered a central pathogenetic mechanism driving inflammation and immune evasion in pancreatic cancer (PDAC), fueled by the local interplay between a subset of IL-1b+ macrophages and tumor cells endowed with molecular features of aggressive disease (Nature 2023).

We further developed state-of-the-art technologies for spatial gene expression analyses in human PDAC samples that enable in situ quantification of hundreds of transcripts with subcellular resolution. The successful applicant will build on these unique datasets and resources to elucidate the spatial dynamics and niche control of immune-stromal-tumor cell interactions in human cancer. Development of methods, pipelines, and tools for data analysis, as well as active engagement in multiple lab projects, is a key anticipated output of the research activity.

We offer a research collaboration contract with competitive salary, benefits, and training programs commensurate to experience and qualifications. International candidates will benefit from major tax deduction.

The successful applicant will be a member of the Ostuni lab, where the research project is based, and will be embedded in the SR-Tiget Bioinformatics Core for her/his day-to-day activity, working alongside its computational scientists and benefiting from their expertise and infrastructure. The San Raffaele is a leading Research and Clinical center with a clear mission to develop advanced medicines. Working language in the Institute is English.

We look for candidates holding a PhD or a Master’s degree in Computational Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or Statistics, with at least one year of research experience in bioinformatics or computational biology after graduation. Applications are welcome from qualified biomedical scientists with previous expertise in data analysis. Proficiency in R and Python programming, as well as experience in transcriptome and/or epigenome and/or spatial gene expression data analysis, will be considered a strong added value in the evaluation of the applications. The ideal candidate has documented research experience, a genuine passion for science and seeks to apply her/his expertise and talent to solve key biological questions. She/he enjoys working with independency, accuracy, and precision within a collaborative and friendly environment.

Applications must include an updated CV and a statement letter outlining specific motivations to join the lab and current/future research interests.

All documents should be sent by email to and . There is no application deadline: applications are evaluated on a rolling basis and interviews of short-listed candidates will begin immediately and proceed until the position is filled.

References. Caronni, Laterza, Vittoria, Barbiera et al Nature 2023; Montaldo, Lusito, Bianchessi, Caronni et al Nat Immunol 2022; Cilenti, Barbiera et al Immunity 2021; Natoli and Ostuni, Nat Immunol 2019; Ng, Ostuni and Hidalgo, Nat Rev Immunol 2019. Piccolo, Curina et al Nat Immunol 2017; Ostuni, Piccolo, Barozzi, Polletti et al Cell 2013