Senior Computational Biologist

Champalimaud Foundation; Lisboa; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive remuneration

Research environment

12 months renewable

Job summary

The Champalimaud Foundation in Lisbon, Portugal seeks a highly motivated computational biologist to join the Cancer Dormancy & Immunity Lab on an AACR Trailblazer grant project.

The fellow will apply cutting-edge computational methods to neuro-immune and neuro-stromal interactions in liver physiology and disease, focusing on metastasis with single-cell and spatial transcriptomics and functional genomics.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Cancer Genomics or related field.
• Formal training in mathematical, statistical, and machine-learning-based analysis of complex data sets, such as hypothesis testing, supervised/unsupervised learning, linear models.
• Strong programming skills, preferably in Python and/or R.
• Experience with single-cell and/or spatial transcriptomics data analysis, including cell type annotation, differential abundance/expression testing, spatial analysis, trajectory inference.

Responsibilities

• Work with computational and experimental colleagues to apply cutting edge computation to cancer biology problems.
• Leverage multimodal high dimensional data (single cell and spatial transcriptomics) to investigate liver metastases.
• Conduct exploratory research with potential impact on patients and publish findings.
• Present at scientific conferences and publish insights.

Skills

Python

R

Machine learning

Data analysis

Education

PhD in Computational Biology/Bioinformatics/CS/Cancer Genomics

Tools

GitHub

Jupyter

R notebooks

Job description

The Cancer Dormancy & Immunity Lab headed by Ana Luísa Correia is seeking a highly motivated computational biologist to join us on a project supported by an AACR Trailblazer grant.

The position focuses on applying cutting edge computational methods to understand neuro-immune and neuro-stromal interactions in the context of liver physiology and disease, particularly during metastasis formation. Spanning single cell transcriptomics, spatial transcriptomics and functional genomics, the fellow will lead large scale integrative analyses to delineate the complex and overlooked role that neuro-immune and neuro-stromal interactions might play in cancer progression. While this position is computational, the project is highly collaborative, involving regular interaction with wet laboratory colleagues in Cancer Biology, Immunology, Neuroscience and Translational Medicine.

The Opportunity

• Work closely with computational and experimental colleagues to apply cutting edge computation to impactful scientific problems in cancer biology.
• Leverage multimodal high dimensional data (including single cell and spatial transcriptomics) to investigate the role of neuro-immune and neuro-stromal interactions in the formation of liver metastases.
• Exploratory research with the potential for real impact on patients.
• Present at scientific conferences and publish scientific insights.

Employer: Champalimaud Foundation
Department: Champalimaud Research Program | Champalimaud Clinical Center | Lab | Unit
Website: correialab.com
Number and type of fellowships or contracts to be awarded: 1 fellowship
Application start date:October 29, 2026
Application closing date:whenever filled
Required Education Level: PhD

Requirements

Research Field: Computer science
Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Specific Requirements

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Cancer Genomics or related field
• Formal training in mathematical, statistical, and machine-learning-based analysis of complex data sets, such as hypothesis testing, supervised/unsupervised learning, linear models, etc.
• Strong programming skills, preferably in Python and/or R
• Experience with single-cell and/or spatial transcriptomics data analysis (including cell type annotation, differential abundance/accessibility/expression testing, spatial analysis, and trajectory inference)
• Proven ability to bridge bioinformatics and experimental work to solve complex problems, ideally within liver health or cancer
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex computational findings to both technical and non-technical audiences through compelling visualizations
• Demonstrated ability to rigorously document all analyses, code and workflows, including the usage of GitHub and Jupyter/R notebooks
• Independent, highly motivated, and highly collaborative with the ability to work together with multi-disciplinary teams of computational and laboratory biologists
• Passionate about discovery and working in a scientific environment
• Collaborative mindset and enthusiasm for bridging computation with functional biologyQuick learner, curious and taking initiative to generate biological testable hypothesis and see your ideas implemented
• Able to perform at a high level in a fast changing and demanding environment
• Required Languages: Strong spoken and written competency in English

• Competitive remuneration package commensurate with skills, qualifications and experience.
• Full immersion into a research excellence ecosystem with highly motivated researchers, supported by state-of-the-art technology and continuous development opportunities.
• Initial duration: 12 months, renewable for additional periods

Eligibility criteria

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Cancer Genomics or related field
• Formal training in mathematical, statistical, and machine-learning-based analysis of complex data sets, such as hypothesis testing, supervised/unsupervised learning, linear models, etc.
• Strong programming skills, preferably in Python and/or R
• Experience with single-cell and/or spatial transcriptomics data analysis (including cell type annotation, differential abundance/accessibility/expression testing, spatial analysis, and trajectory inference)
• Proven ability to bridge bioinformatics and experimental work to solve complex problems, ideally within liver health or cancer
• Demonstrated ability to clearly and effectively communicate complex computational findings to both technical and non-technical audiences through compelling visualizations
• Demonstrated ability to rigorously document all analyses, code and workflows, including the usage of GitHub and Jupyter/R notebooks
• Independent, highly motivated, and highly collaborative with the ability to work together with multi-disciplinary teams of computational and laboratory biologists

About Us

Research is at the heart of the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, a modern research and clinical facility situated on the waterfront in Lisbon, Portugal. The goal of Champalimaud Research (CR) is to perform world-leading fundamental and translational research. Current research work is focused on the fields of neuroscience, physiology and cancer. Champalimaud Research comprises a team of over 400 scientists from around the world. English is the official language of the Centre. Lisbon’s sunny Atlantic Mediterranean climate, vibrant culture and high quality of life make this a great place to live and work.

Relevant Institutional Information

In line with our community guidelines and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy and Gender Equality Plan, no candidate may be privileged, favored, prejudiced or deprived of any right or excluded from any duty on the basis of age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disability, chronic illness, language, nationality, territory of origin, family status (marital, pregnancy and maternity, having or not having dependents), socioeconomic situation, education, religion, political or ideological beliefs, trade union membership, or on any other grounds which are irrelevant to decision-making.

Legal Notices

The present call has the sole purpose of filling the indicated research position. This call may be canceled at any time on or before the jury’s evaluation of all eligible candidates and the recruitment process shall be concluded on the day of the full execution of the contract between the Champalimaud Foundation and the selected candidate.