Technician of Technology Development

Human Technopole; Milano; In loco; EUR 35.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

A leading research institute in Milan is seeking a Technician for its Technology Development Unit. The successful candidate will support the integration of custom protocols, manage sequencing platforms, and contribute to the development of standard operating procedures. A Master's degree in a relevant field and experience with NGS protocols are essential. The position offers competitive salary and benefits, including work-life balance provisions and Italian language training.

Servizi

Welfare plans

Meal delivery

Italian language training for foreigners

Flexible working hours

Support for relocation

Parental leave up to 1 year

Competenze

• Master’s degree in biology, genetics, or related life sciences.
• At least 1 year of experience with NGS platforms.
• Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques.

Mansioni

• Support integration and optimization of custom protocols.
• Operate and manage sequencing platforms and library prep workflows.
• Contribute to SOP development and manage lab inventories.

Conoscenze

NGS platforms and protocols

Molecular biology techniques

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Formazione

Master’s degree in a relevant subject

Strumenti

Illumina

MGI

Oxford Nanopore

Descrizione del lavoro

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE : September 15th, 2025

Please apply by forwarding a single document with:

• I) a CV
• II) a motivation letter in English
• III) names and contacts of 2 referees

For general enquiries concerning the role, please contact: [e-mail] (this email address should not be used to send applications).

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 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

• Master’s degree in a relevant subject, e.g., biology, genetics, biochemistry, or in a related field of the life sciences.
• 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.
• Ability to interact effectively with colleagues, other teams’ members and work synergistically to drive projects forward.

WHY HUMAN TECHNOPOLE

• HT seeks scientific excellence. We recruit the best scientific talents through international, open calls.
• Our working environment is international, friendly and inclusive. Our scientists work together across disciplines on research topics of biomedical relevance, leveraging synergies between their diverse skill sets and methodological approaches.
• We believe that highly diverse teams yield the best and most innovative results.
• We engage in outward-facing scientific activities aimed at benefiting the national and international research community. Training is also at the heart of our activity, with initiatives and opportunities for our staff, including scientific courses, conferences and workshops.

MAIN BENEFITS

• Welfare plans;
• Meal delivery;
• Work-life balance provisions;
• Italian language training for foreigners;
• Parental leave up to 1 year and other support for new parents;
• Flexible working hours;
• Support for relocation;
• Researchers coming to Italy for the first time, or returning after residing abroad, benefit from very attractive income tax benefits.

Special consideration will be given to candidates who are part of the protected categories list, according to L. 68 / 99

Number of positions offered : 1

Contract offered : CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, Fixed-term 3 years in first instance with option for extension - employee level.

Salary : € 35k

The position is based in Milan

The Foundation reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to extend, suspend, modify, revoke, or cancel this job posting without giving rise to any rights or claims whatsoever in favour of the candidates; the Foundation reserves, however, the right not to proceed with the awarding of the above-described assignment due to the effect of supervening regulatory provisions and / or obstructive circumstances.