We are seeking a computational postdoctoral scientist to join Paola Scaffidi’s research team (https://www.research.ieo.it/research-and-technology/principal-investigators/paola-scaffidi/)
at the European Institute of Oncology (IEO) in Milan on a project funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research under FIS 3 (Italian Fund for Science) programme, investigating molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in physiological and pathological settings.
CUP: J53C25002250001
Project Title: Molecular underpinnings of robustness in the epigenetic regulatory network
Project Code: FIS-2024-05201
Start date: 1 Ottobre 2026
Duration: 3+2 years
CONTRACT TYPE AND SALARY:
Successful applicant will receive a full 3+2-years contract inclusive of full social-security coverage (CCNL sanita’ privata).
Gross salary: 39.000 Euro gross per year
About the Project:
Epigenetic mechanisms integrate intrinsic and extrinsic signals to regulate the functional output of the genome, ultimately defining cellular states and behaviors. They regulate various biological processes in physiology and their dysregulation often leads to disease. The molecular control of epigenetic information relies on the Epigenetic Regulatory Network (ERN), hundreds of proteins of diverse function, which cooperate in defining chromatin structure and DNA methylation landscapes.
While many network components have been characterized, how these different regulatory layers function in a coherent network is poorly understood. With this research, we aim to move beyond the examination of individual network components and dissect how redundancy and functional interactions within and across distinct classes of epigenetic regulators govern ERN functionality.
By interrogating the ERN through the lens of cancer, the successful candidates will:
- Indentify functional relationships between regulators of diverse molecular functions
- Dissect how mutational perturbation induce ERN remodeling within and across classes of epigenetic regulators.
- predict the impact of combinatorial interference with ERN components in biomedically-relevant models.
- Collaborate with experimental scientists to integrate mechanistic and systems-level insights.
We seek creative, self-driven scientists with a PhD in bioinfromatics, computer science or related fields. Expertise in chromatin, genomics, or epigenetics is a plus; genuine enthusiasm for tackling fundamental questions with cutting-edge methods is essential.
Key responsibilities:
- Design statistical frameworks and pipelines for large-scale genomic datasets and CRISPR screens
- Analyze genomics datasets, either publicaly available or produced in the project.
- Provide bioinformatic support to wet-lab collaborators and help maintain reproducible, well-documented code.
Essential qualifications:
-PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, statistics, computer science, or a related field.
-Proven expertise in processing and interpreting NGS data.
APPLICATION DEADLINES AND MODALITIES:
Applications for participation in the selection must be received no later than 12.00 noon on July 4th 2026. Applications must be sent through the appropriate link.
The application must contain:
- a detailed and updated CV, dated and signed, certifying training and professional activities, with specific authorization to process personal data pursuant to art. 13 of GDPR 679/16;
- a cover letter outlining your research interests;
- any document or declaration useful for the assessment by the Examination Board.
- name and contact details of two/three references familiar with your previous work
The European Institute of Oncology accepts no responsibility for the non-receipt of applications by the deadline, for which the date of receipt shall be considered the official date of receipt.
Only applications complete with the required documentation and sent according to the indicated procedure will be taken into consideration.
SELECTION AND EVALUATION PROCEDURE:
The identification of the scientist will take place through a comparative evaluation of the candidates based on qualifications and a possible oral interview.
The assessment will consist of an evaluation of the candidate's CV, aimed at ascertaining the required knowledge and skills necessary for the performance of the activities involved in the above-mentioned project.
The oral interview, if any, will be aimed at examining in-depth the candidate's educational and professional experiences, personal motivations and aptitudes, as well as assessing the candidate's availability for multidisciplinary activities and technical-scientific discussions. Failure to attend the interview, for any reason whatsoever, will be considered as renouncement of the selection.
PROCESSING OF PERSONAL DATA:
The personal data, compulsorily provided, will be processed in compliance with Legislative Decree no. 101 of 10 August 2018, which adapts the Personal Data Protection Code (Legislative Decree no. 196 of 30 June 2003) to the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, and only for the fulfilments related to this procedure and for those consequent to the possible establishment of the working relationship, according to what is also provided for in the privacy policy, which must be accepted by each candidate at the time of sending his/her application.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES:
This notice is issued in compliance with equal opportunities between men and women for access to employment and economic treatment, pursuant to Legislative Decree no. 198/2006. 3
Candidate evaluations will be conducted solely for the technical and discretionary purposes of identifying the most suitable candidate for the collaborative relationship covered by this announcement, in accordance with the private autonomy of the European Institute of Oncology pursuant to the Italian Civil Code.
These evaluations will not oblige the European Institute of Oncology to recruit individuals ranked appropriately on the ranking list. Participation in this procedure, therefore, will not entitle the first candidate on the ranking list to be hired.
Milan, June 05th, 2026