Computational Scientist and Bioinformatician - Liquid Biopsy and MRD

IFOM; Lombardia; Presencial; EUR 60.000 - 85.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Housing assistance

schooling support

Registration with National Health

Work-permit procedures

Descripción de la vacante

IFOM in Milan seeks a Computational Scientist and Bioinformatician to join the Computational Oncology and Bioinformatics Unit for cutting-edge liquid biopsy and MRD research. You will work on ctDNA interpretation, tumour genomics, and method development, collaborating across biology, computation and clinical research.

The position requires a PhD with strong computational biology skills, experience in NGS data analysis, and a collaborative, problem-solving mindset for high-impact scientific work.

Formación

• Strong foundations in cancer genetics, molecular oncology, genomics and/or computational biology.
• Demonstrated experience in analysis of NGS/genomic data and interpretation of complex datasets.
• Programming experience in Python and/or R; familiarity with Linux/command-line environments.

Responsabilidades

• Explore hypotheses in liquid biopsy and MRD, evaluating existing approaches and opportunities for methodological innovation.
• Critically evaluate genomic results and factors affecting sensitivity and interpretation of ctDNA signals.
• Design reproducible analytical/validation strategies using computational tools and institutional infrastructure.
• Handle research data responsibly following approved protocols and privacy requirements.
• Contribute to scientific manuscripts and collaborations.
• Develop independent methodological contributions to advance the unit's research program.
• Evaluate novel computational approaches to improve detection of low-abundance signals in liquid biopsy and MRD.

Conocimientos

Cancer genetics

Molecular oncology

Genomics

Computational biology

Python

R

Linux

Educación

PhD in a relevant field

Herramientas

Python

R

Linux

Descripción del empleo

IFOM is an internationally recognized non-profit cancer research institute supported by the Italian Association for Cancer Research (AIRC), based in Milan within a highly dynamic urban environment.

IFOM's continued success is ensured by the recruitment of highly selected undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate researchers from over 24 countries worldwide.

IFOM is hosted within a research campus shared with the European Institute of Oncology and the Italian Institute of Technology.

IFOM 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.

We seek for our Institute: Computational Scientist and Bioinformatician | Liquid Biopsy and MRD

The successful candidate will join the Computational Oncology and Bioinformatics Unit and report directly to the Head of the Unit. This is a permanent, full-time research position focused on liquid biopsy, cancer genomics and molecular residual disease (MRD).

The research will address biological and translational questions in tumour genetics, molecular monitoring, tumour evolution and treatment response. Particular attention will be given to the interpretation of circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) in plasma, including the challenges of detecting low-abundance tumour-derived genetic alterations.

The Unit operates as a research and development structure, not as a task-based facility. Computational approaches are developed and applied within scientific projects to answer clearly defined biological and clinical questions, rather than as stand-alone technical services.

The Unit aims to generate biologically meaningful and clinically relevant knowledge by:

• investigating the genetic features and dynamics of circulating tumour DNA in cancer;
• characterising molecular residual disease, tumour heterogeneity, clonal evolution and treatment response through longitudinal liquid-biopsy studies;
• developing and critically evaluating computational methodologies for identifying and interpreting somatic genetic alterations in plasma and matched tumour tissue;
• integrating genomic observations with clinical information to investigate biomarkers relevant to disease monitoring, recurrence and therapeutic response.

We are looking for a scientist holding a PhD, with at least 3 years of relevant research experience in cancer genomics, computational biology, bioinformatics or a related field (including doctoral research). Previous experience in liquid biopsy or MRD is desirable, but strong expertise in cancer genetics and computational methodology is equally valued.

ABOUT THE POSITION - KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Exploring original scientific hypotheses in liquid biopsy and MRD, including limitations of existing approaches and opportunities for methodological innovation.
• Critically evaluating genomic results, including the biological and analytical factors affecting sensitivity, specificity and interpretation of low-abundance tumour-derived signals in liquid biopsy and MRD.
• Designing robust and reproducible analytical and validation strategies, using computational tools and institutional infrastructure as instruments of scientific research.
• Handling research and clinical data responsibly, in accordance with approved research protocols, institutional policies, applicable privacy requirements and research ethics.
• Contributing to scientific manuscripts and sharing the information necessary for productive research collaborations.
• Developing independent methodological contributions and helping advance the scientific programme and research publications of the Unit.
• Developing and evaluating novel computational approaches to investigate cancer genetics, improve the detection of low-abundance tumour-derived signals and address unresolved biological questions in liquid biopsy and MRD.

Qualification

• Strong foundations in cancer genetics, molecular oncology, genomics and/or computational biology;
• Solid knowledge of statistics, quantitative methods and sound principles of experimental and observational data analysis;
• Demonstrated experience in the analysis of NGS and genomic data and in the biological interpretation of complex datasets;
• Demonstrated programming experience in Python and/or R for genomic data analysis and computational research; familiarity with Linux and command-line environments.
• High confidence in Linux-based systems and command-line environments;
• Ability to communicate analytical choices and results clearly and to work constructively within multidisciplinary teams spanning biology, computation and clinical research;
• Flexible, reliable and problem-solving-oriented approach, with the ability to adapt to evolving scientific and project requirement;
• Experience with LLM is a plus;
• Liquid biopsy experience is a plus;

Education

A completed PhD is required in bioinformatics, computational biology, genetics, genomics, cancer biology, statistics, mathematics, computer science or a closely related discipline. Candidates with a life-science PhD and strong computational expertise, or a PhD in a quantitative discipline with a demonstrated interest in cancer biology, are equally encouraged to apply.

Languages

Working proficiency in English sufficient to read scientific literature, discuss research questions and prepare written scientific material.

Knowledge of Italian is an advantage, but is not required.

Soft skills

• Scientific curiosity, originality and rigour in approaching biological and computational research questions.
• Ability to investigate complex scientific problems independently, with patience and careful attention to evidence.
• Willingness to exchange essential scientific information and cooperate respectfully on shared research objectives.
• Reliability, intellectual honesty and attention to the validity, quality and reproducibility of research results.

We welcome different working styles and prioritise scientific reasoning, methodological insight and research contributions over presentation skills or extensive interpersonal experience.

What we offer

• An international and highly collaborative research environment, continuous training and flexible working time.
• Support for candidates and their families, including housing, schooling, registration with the Italian National Health Service and work-permit procedures, through the IFOM Welcome Office.
• Campus facilities and benefits, including a bar and canteen, lunch benefit, company nursery, medical service, laptop, CAF tax-declaration service and agreements with local gyms, pharmacies, psychological services and shops.
• Access to Lab G, a laboratory specifically designed for pregnant or breastfeeding researchers.

Contract

Permanent contract, full time.

Location

Milan - Scalo di Porta Romana area

This announcement is addressed to both sexes pursuant to Laws 903/77 and 125/91 and to people of all ages and nationalities pursuant to Legislative Decrees 215/03 and 216/03.

Disclaimer privacy

Article 13 of the EU Regulation 2016/679) We inform you that the archiving and processing of data referring to you are carried out by IFOM - Istituto Fondazione di Oncologia Molecolare ETS in order to perform the recruitment process. Pursuant to Article 6(1)(b) the legal basis for the processing is the necessity to take steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract. Your data shall be communicated to third parties that could be located in countries outside the European Union for the recruitment process. IFOM has obtained the necessary guarantees to transfer the Data in compliance with the provisions of Chapter V of the GDPR. The resumes received will be deleted at the end of the calendar year following the one of receipt; if you are still interested in proposing your application you will have to re-send. According to Article 15 et seq of the EU Regulation 2016/679 to exercise your rights you can write to the Data Controller: IFOM - Istituto Fondazione di Oncologia Molecolare ETS, via Adamello 16, Milano, [e-mail].

Finally, we inform you that IFOM has appointed a Data Protection Officer (DPO) who can be contacted at [e-mail]