Postdoc in Molecular Epidemiology/Statistical Genetics

Postdoc in Molecular Epidemiology – Statistical Genetics | Human Technopole, Milan

Build the science that shapes the future of human health.
Application closing date: Visualizzare il telefono su nature.com

Join a place where ambitious science thrives
Human Technopole (Milan) is a rapidly expanding life science institute where international researchers and cutting-edge technologies converge to accelerate biomedical discovery. Our mission is to transform bold scientific ideas into advances that improve human health.

Within this mission, the  Health Data Science Centre (HDSC) at HT has been planned in partnership with Politecnico di Milano and is developing several lines of research, with the aim to help deliver a step-change in health data science in Italy. The Centre’s mission is to systematically generate, mobilise, and harvest “big data” allowing agnostic and dynamic collection of information, to deliver a new class of research that will enable a better understanding of the clinical, molecular, behavioural and environmental determinants of non-communicable diseases, for both patients and public benefit.

We are seeking an ambitious Postdoc in Molecular Epidemiology-Statistical Genetics to support the activities of the  Zuccolo group in the HDS Centre. Current projects include researching barriers to and effects of prolonged breastfeeding, the impact of emerging threats eg COVID-19 and climate-related environmental factors on pregnancy and infant outcomes, and the role of pregnancy complications on long-term cardiometabolic health in women. 

Your mission
As Postdoc you will be involved in or lead major projects to understand the genetic architecture of molecular traits alone and in interaction with the environment. S(h)e will help in defining the direction of scientific work, conducting research, analyzing data, preparing the work for publication and disseminating results. The work of the post-holder is expected to lead to high-impact publications.

Grow your skills
You will enhance your scientific and professional skills by:

• Designing and leading analyses to integrate genetic and molecular data in various populations, taking advantage of the exceptionally rich data available at the Centre;
• Developing effective ways of handling, cleaning and integrating complex genetic and molecular phenotype data into epidemiological datasets (pipelines);
• Working with epidemiologists and other colleagues in the Centre to help develop and implement methodologically appropriate analysis strategies for genetic and ‘omic data integrated into epidemiological investigations;
• Collaborating with external (including many international) researchers to lead or contribute to large-scale consortia and meta-analyses;
• Working closely with colleagues to help interpret findings and draft manuscripts and other reports for publication;
• Anticipating, communicating and solving any potential problems that arise with analyses or other aspects of research projects;
• Contributing to reports, presentations and publications by preparing numerical and graphical summaries (visualizations) using relevant computer software;
• Assisting with preparing grant applications to secure further funding for relevant projects;
• Helping establish new projects and research consortia relating to the Zuccolo Group research interests (women’s health and child health), including designing and conducting pilot studies;
• Following and promoting open science practices within the Centre;
• Reviewing, analyzing or presenting information relative to own or related projects when requested;
• Contributing to the Centre’s training program by teaching and tutoring on internal and external workshops (online and in person);
• Contributing to disseminating scientific results to the public and taking part in patients and public involvement and engagement activities;
• Contributing to MSc and PhD students supervision, as requested and appropriate.

Human Technopole supports career development through training, mentoring and dedicated learning opportunities.

What you'll bring

Essential

• PhD Degree in a relevant scientific field (e.g. genetic epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, statistical genetics, biostatistics, health data science, etc) or to be obtained within the next 6 months;
• A sound understanding of applying relevant statistical methods to highly-dimensional complex data from molecular phenotypes coupled with genotypes, for discovery, prediction and causal inference in epidemiological studies (including but not limited to genome-wide association studies of molecular phenotypes, Mendelian Randomization, co-localisation);
• Experience of statistical or other programming languages to manipulate large-scale datasets – e.g. Python, R;
• Strong quantitative skills and analytical reasoning applied to observational data;
• A track record of authoring scientific publications;
• Fluency in English.

Preferred

• High-level report writing and presentation skills;
• A specific experience in gene expression QTL or protein QTL studies.

Organizational and social skills

• Ability to work accurately, with attention to detail;
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and organize own workload;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Enthusiastic team player and able to work collaboratively and across different disciplines.

At HT, your discoveries contribute to a global effort to improve human health.

Why Human Technopole
HT offers an international and dynamic workplace, competitive welfare provisions, flexible working policies and relocation support. Researchers moving to Italy may benefit from attractive tax benefits. We promote work–life balance and provide parental support initiatives.

How to apply
Submit:

• CV.
• Motivation letter (English).
• Contact details of two referees.

This is a 4-year contract offered under CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, Level B2

Number of positions offered: 1

Salary: up to € 43.000
The position is based in Milan, Italy, within our vibrant international campus.

We strongly encourage applications from candidates belonging to protected categories (L. 68/99).

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.

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