The Computational Cancer Biology lab of Martin Schaefer is looking for a computational postdoctoral researcher to join our international team. Our research uses computational and systems biology methods to better understand how the many molecular alterations in cancer cells work together in tumor initiation and progression. Over the past decade, our community made significant advancements in understanding the role of point mutations in cancer's phenotypic characteristics. However, the vast landscape of quantitative changes, such as epigenetic and transcriptional variations, and their connection to cancer remains much less understood. We aim to bridge this gap by developing new computational models to uncover the epigenetic drivers behind carcinogenesis. This is a continuation of our previous work, in particular: Heery and Schaefer. NAR. 2021 and Alfieri, Caravagna and Schaefer. Nat Comm. 2023. Watch also a video describing our quest for identifying epigenetic drivers of tumor evolution and visit our homepage. Join us in this exciting journey to unravel the mysteries of cancer through computational biology.
The successful candidate will work together with other members of the lab as well as with wet lab and clinical collaborators.
Candidates should hold a PhD in bioinformatics/computational biology, biostatistics, computer science or a related field. They should have expertise in statistics, programming, and the analysis of cancer omics data. Interest in network biology and knowledge of other data science techniques in particular machine learning and being familiar with concepts of tumor evolution are a plus.
At first, a one-year fellowship will be granted, with possible extensions.
This position is a great opportunity for candidates who recently obtained their PhD and would like to delve deeper into the understanding of cancer mechanisms through a systems biology and computational biology lens. We create a supportive and inclusive environment to let scientists explore and grow on cutting edge research questions.
Do you share our enthusiasm about the hidden drivers of cancer evolution? Then get in touch!
Don't hesitate contacting us for informal inquiries by email. Or send us an application (which should include a CV, cover letter, a list of publications and contact details of 2 - 3 referees). The position is available immediately.
The workplace
The European Institute of Oncology (IEO) is one of Europe’s leading cancer research institutes. The lab is in the Department of Experimental Oncology (DEO), which is located on the IFOM-IEO campus in a central location of Milan. The IEO hosts an international and vibrant research community (with a growing computational component). It is strong in genomics analyses, clinical aspects and mechanistic understanding of cancer. The IEO has an excellent HPC infrastructure and core facilities. The institute and the lab provide a collaborative and diverse work environment. The working language is English.
Posted on 12th March 2024