Postdoctoral Researcher in Functional and Spatial Genomics

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Contract: postdoc, collaboration contract (1 year renewable)

Location: Genoa

Step into a world of endless possibilities, together let’s leave something for the future!

At IIT, we are committed to advancing human-centered Science and Technology to address the most urgent societal challenges of our era. We foster excellence in both fundamental and applied research, spanning fields such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid technologies and robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, and material sciences, offering a truly interdisciplinary scientific experience. Our approach integrates cutting-edge tools and technology, empowering researchers to push the limits of knowledge and innovation. With us, your curiosity will know no bounds.

We are dedicated to providing equal employment opportunities and fostering diversity in all its forms, creating an inclusive environment. We value the unique experiences, knowledge, backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives of our people. By embracing diversity, we believe science can achieve its fullest potential.

THE ROLE

You will be working in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary group, where junior and senior scientists collaborate, each with their expertise, to carry out a scientific activity with a shared research goal.

The Armenise-Harvard Integrative Nuclear Architecture (INA) Research unit is coordinated by Dr. Irene Farabella. The overarching goal of the lab is to understand the principles underlying 3D genome organization and its plasticity and how different nuclear components contribute to gene regulation across spatial scales.

To address these questions, we use cutting-edge approaches combining oligo-based FISH and chromatin tracing at the single-cell level, genomic data, quantitative imaging, computational genomics, and physical modelling.

For more information visit: https://ina.iit.it/

This project will investigate how RNA-dependent regulatory mechanisms contribute to chromatin architecture and its plasticity, focusing on how nuclear RNAs shape genome organization in relation to cellular state and identity.

The successful candidate will develop and optimize experimental approaches, investigate RNA function through molecular perturbations, and connect these with single-cell measurements of genome organization using advanced FISH-omics and chromatin-tracing technologies. The project combines RNA biology, functional genomics, and spatial imaging, with a strong emphasis on technology development and interdisciplinary research.

The INA Research Line is a member of the FANTOM6 consortium and participates in the RNA Technologies Flagship at Fondazione Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT).

The RNA Technologies Flagship is a cornerstone of IIT's strategic plan, bringing together more than 20 Principal Investigators and over 200 scientists. This interdisciplinary initiative aims to advance RNA science and technology, from fundamental RNA biology to the development of innovative approaches for diagnostics, therapeutics and precision medicine.

Within the research team, your main responsibilities will be:

• Develop and optimize experimental methods to investigate candidate RNAs, combining molecular perturbations with functional and cell-based assays.
• Develop new workflows integrating RNA biology with single-cell spatial genomics, including FISH-omics and chromatin tracing.
• Generate and interpret experimental data in close interaction with researchers with expertise in bioinformatics, computational genomics, image analysis and data science.
• Interact with internal and external collaborators to perform multimodal and spatial genomics experiments.
• Work in a highly collaborative environment, interacting with and supporting other members of the research group.
• Present research findings at international conferences and publish reproducible research in high-quality, open-access scientific journals.

The ideal candidate will have a strong experimental background in molecular biology, RNA biology, genome editing, functional genomics and/or advanced imaging. Experience with RNA functional validation, transcript analysis, cell-based assays and standard molecular biology techniques is desirable.

We are particularly interested in a curious, technology-driven and problem-solving-oriented scientist who enjoys laboratory work, method development and approaching complex biological questions from unconventional angles.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• A PhD in Biotechnology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Biophysics, Physics, Structural Biology, or a related discipline.
• Documented experience in multi-omics data analysis and biological interpretation.
• Experience with functional perturbation approaches, such as gene knockdown, genome editing, viability assays, or phenotypic profiling.
• Experience in advanced imaging, chromatin biology, RNA biology, or 3D genome organization.
• Ability to work and think independently while collaborating effectively in a highly interdisciplinary environment, with a proactive attitude.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• Prior experience in epigenetics, chromatin biology, and/or 3D genome organization.
• Experience in RNA biology and RNA-based technologies, including, for example, in situ hybridization, RNA localization, non-coding RNAs, synthetic RNAs, or antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs).
• Experience with computational and/or functional genomics, including the integration and interpretation of functional dependency datasets.
• Experience with CRISPR-based screening or other functional screening approaches is considered a plus.
• Ability to work autonomously and collaboratively within a highly interdisciplinary team.
• Strong analytical reasoning, problem-solving skills, scientific curiosity, and a growth mindset.

COMPENSATION PACKAGE

• A yearly gross salary ranging between 35K and 40K
• Private health care coverage depending on your role and contract
• Candidates from abroad or Italian citizens who have carried scientific research activity permanently abroad and meet specific requirements, may be entitled to a deduction from taxable income of up to 90% from 6 to 13 years.

This open position/research is fully funded by the Giovanni Armenise Harvard Foundation within the project: “Investigating genome structural variability at the nanoscale” (Career Development Award, 2022).

Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed CV, cover letter, and 2 reference letters.

Application’s deadline: 15th of November

To discover more about life at IIT, visit the dedicated section here: https://www.iit.it/en/work-at-iit