AI Scientist in Oncology

IFOM, the AIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology in Milan, is seeking a talented AI scientist to develop and apply machine learning and generative AI to one of the central questions in IFOM's long-term strategic plan and one of the hardest problems in oncology: discriminating cancers destined from the onset for indolent behaviour ("born to be good") from those with aggressive behaviour ("born to be bad"), including those featuring early metastasis and resistance or relapse after therapy.

Working within IFOM's institute-wide AI programme and in close collaboration with its experimental and clinical groups, you will use machine learning and generative AI to extract mechanistic insights, biomarkers and therapeutic vulnerabilities from data generated in experimental models and in large clinical cohorts of tumour-infiltrated tissue collected at diagnosis, integrated with clinical annotation of outcome, disease evolution, and response to immunotherapy and personalised treatment, turning IFOM's rich multi-scale data into predictive, mechanistic and clinically meaningful insight.

IFOM is uniquely positioned to tackle this challenging and rewarding question thanks to the convergence of multiple top-notch research activities across the institute's groups.

Role of the AI scientist in the IFOM community

• Apply models that integrate single-cell and spatial omics, genomics, epigenomics, proteomics and multidimensional immunohistochemistry, together with radiomics and pathomics, pharmacogenomic screens in patient-derived xenografts and tumoroids, animal models, and functional genetic screens using CRISPR/Cas9 technologies, to model tumour fate from diagnosis onward.
• Help decode tumour fate from an initial biopsy sample, uncovering determinants of indolent vs aggressive behaviour, including how epigenetic state, dormancy and reawakening, exposure to environmental agents, host immune fitness, and tumour biomechanical properties shape disease trajectory.
• Contribute to translation by turning model outputs into predictive biomarkers of aggressiveness and relapse, and into actionable hypotheses for precision therapy.
• Build shared foundation models, pipelines, benchmarks and infrastructure for rigorous, reproducible use across the institute, helping IFOM's research groups converge on this shared challenge.
• Work closely with computational and experimental colleagues, and contribute to mentoring junior scientists and students.

Who we are looking for

Essential: PhD in computational biology, informatics, computer science or a related field; a strong record in AI/ML for biomedicine (computational oncology, single-cell/spatial biology, digital pathology, multi-omics or foundation models); proven ability to integrate multiple data modalities; hands-on expertise in modern deep learning and ideally foundation, multimodal or spatial AI; and a genuine interest in integrating clinical and experimental datasets to interrogate features of tumour aggressiveness, early metastasis and therapy resistance;

Desirable: experience building, fine-tuning or benchmarking foundation models for pathology, genomics, imaging or single-cell data; familiarity with translational and longitudinal clinical data; a record of high-impact publication; and experience collaborating across disciplines.

What IFOM offers

A central scientific role within a flagship AI programme in a Centre of Excellence for Research, with strong scope to shape methods and analyses.

Access to rich multi-scale data, including single-cell and spatial omics, genomics, epigenomics, 3D-chromatin, advanced imaging, multidimensional IHC, radiomics and pathomics, and functional-genomic screens, supported by an established Bioinformatics Unit and top-notch imaging, genomics and proteomics platforms.

Collaboration with internationally recognised molecular and cell biologists, pathologists and clinical partners belonging to IFOM's international network, converging on IFOM's long-term strategic mission.

For informal enquiries, you may contact Cecilia Osera, IFOM Scientific Officer, at Visualizzare la mail su click.appcast.io .

Inclusive environment

IFOM is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity in the workplace, and we particularly welcome applications from women and underrepresented minorities to contribute to scientific excellence. IFOM is a gender-equality institute, actively supporting equal opportunities and the advancement of women in science, fostering an inclusive environment where their careers can truly thrive.

This announcement is addressed to both sexes pursuant to Laws 903/77 and 125/91 and to people of all ages and nationalities pursuant to Legislative Decrees 215/03 and 216/03.