Postdoc in Computational Biology and Modelling of Cell Therapy Dynamics – funded by AIRC

Overview

APPLICATION CLOSING DATE : October 2nd, 2025

Application instructions: Please apply online by submitting a single document that includes a CV, a motivation letter in English (max 1 page), and names and contacts of at least 2 referees.

About the Lab

Dr Alice Giustacchini’s research group combines experimental and computational biology in a collaborative environment at Human Technopole (HT), utilizing state-of-the-art technologies and interdisciplinary expertise. The group collaborates closely with clinical teams at UCL and Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesù, connecting basic science with clinical practice to ensure translational impact. By addressing key challenges in hematologic malignancies, the group aims to drive advancements in precision medicine and develop innovative approaches to improve therapeutic outcomes.

The Giustacchini Lab, part of the Population and Medical Genomics Centre at HT, is seeking a postdoc in computational biology to investigate the cellular and molecular dynamics of CAR T-cell therapy in blood cancers. This project will focus on modelling the in vivo interactions between CAR T cells, tumour cells, and normal haematopoiesis, using state-of-the-art single-cell multiomics data and computational approaches. The aim is to uncover mechanisms driving therapeutic resistance, tumour reshaping, and hematopoietic impact under CAR T-cell pressure, with implications for improving immunotherapy strategies for hematologic malignancies. The project will be run in collaboration with Prof Marco Masseroli at Politecnico di Milano.

The Successful Candidate

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with a dynamic team of researchers and computational biologists within the Population and Medical Genomics Centre and the Computational Biology Centre and will engage in joint projects with the groups of Lorenzo Calviello, Andrea Sottoriva and Francesco Iorio.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement computational models to study interactions between therapeutic cells, tumour cells, and normal hematopoietic cells.
• Analyse multiomics datasets, including single-cell RNA-seq, ATAC-seq, and clinical data, to understand therapy dynamics and resistance mechanisms.
• Integrate modelling approaches with experimental data to predict therapeutic outcomes and refine treatment strategies.
• Contribute to the preparation of high-quality, reproducible research outputs for publication in leading journals and conferences.

Essential Requirements

• PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, mathematics, statistics or related disciplines.
• Strong programming skills (e.g., R, Python) and proficiency in analysing high-dimensional single-cell datasets.
• Expertise in mathematical or computational modelling of biological systems.
• Demonstrated ability to design and execute computational research independently, with a strong emphasis on rigor and reproducibility.

Preferred Requirements

• Familiarity with CAR T cell therapy or other cellular immunotherapies.
• Knowledge of haematopoiesis, immune-oncology, or tumour biology.

Organizational and Social Skills

• High level of scientific curiosity and a commitment to understanding complex biological systems.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent organizational abilities, with the capacity to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
• Effective communication skills, with fluency in English.
• Collaborative mindset and willingness to contribute to interdisciplinary projects.

Why Human Technopole

HT seeks scientific excellence, and recruits 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 skillsets 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 service.
• 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.
• Tax benefits where applicable.

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

Position Details

• Number of positions offered: 1
• Contract offered: CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, 4 years fixed-term - Employee
• Starting date: December 2025
• Salary range: up to 40k
• Location: 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 favor 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.