APPLICATION CLOSING DATE: October, 31st 2024
Human Technopole (HT) is an international life science research institute in Milan, created and supported by the Italian government, with the aim of developing innovative strategies to improve human health. Researchers at HT work together to enable interdisciplinary research and to create an open, collaborative environment that will help promote life science research both nationally and internationally.


About the Lab
The laboratory of Dr Ana Casañal at the Structural Biology Research Centre (SBRC) at Human Technopole (HT) is looking for a research Senior Technician/Technician https://humantechnopole.it/en/research-groups/casanal-group/.

The group is focused on the structural analysis (mainly by cryo-EM) of large macromolecular complexes involved in RNA processing. In particular, the Casañal lab uses an integrated structural biology approach that combines biochemistry, biophysics, and mass- spectrometry with structural biology techniques, to elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind the addition and the regulation of biochemical marks on RNA, a process often deregulated in human disease.


About the position
The motivated research Senior Technician/Technician will help with lab organisation/management, and will be involved in our structural biology research projects.
As research Senior Technician/Technician in the Casañal group, you will support our efforts in cloning, expression, purification, and biophysical characterisation of novel medically relevant protein complexes to be studied by cryo-EM or other structural methods.
You will be part of a highly collaborative and multidisciplinary environment, where we share a passion for exploring fundamental aspects of biology, share resources and expertise, and have access to excellent cryo-EM, biochemistry and biophysical facilities.


Your main tasks and responsibilities

• Managing key aspects of general lab management and organisation (e.g., managing inventories and stocks of samples, equipment and materials, purchases, annual budget review, onboarding of students);
• Conduct molecular biology, biochemistry, and biophysical experiments for structural studies;
• Generate/improve new tools and protocols, performing pilot and screening experiments;
• Generate reliable data for publication, record all data and results in specified forms (paper and electronic), and collaborate in writing papers;
• Provide technical support and guidance to (junior) lab members;
• Training researchers in instrumentation and/or technical procedures;
Work with external collaborators and maintain relationships with relevant research labs at HT.

Essential requirements:

• B.Sc. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, Molecular Biology or closely- related disciplines;
• At least three years of proven practical experience in a molecular biology, biochemistry or structural biology laboratory;
• Track record in the following areas: recombinant protein production and purification; molecular biology (DNA and/or RNA manipulation, cloning, sequencing), protein biochemistry (proficient use of AKTA systems, immunoprecipitation, western-blot);
Fluency in English - HT is an international research institute.

Preferred requirements:

• Previous experience as a lab technician is desirable;
• Experience in structural biology and/or bioinformatics;
• Knowledge of biophysical techniques for the study of protein stability prior to structural biology studies.

Organizational and social skills:

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and to work independently;
• Ability and interest to learn or develop new methodologies;
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated with a proven ability to effectively interact and collaborate with others as part of a team;
• Ability to build trust through operating with transparency and creating an open and positive environment;
Ability to work in a multi-cultural, multi-ethnic environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Application instructions:
To apply, please send the following:

• a CV
• a motivation letter in English relating your track record to the specifics of the call
• names and contacts of 2 referees

Additional Information
Human Technopole (HT) is an interdisciplinary life science research institute, created and supported by the Italian Government, with the aim of developing innovative strategies to improve human health. HT is composed of five Centers: Neurogenomics, Computational Biology, Structural Biology, Genomics, and Health Data Science. The Centers work together to enable interdisciplinary research and to create an open, collaborative environment that will help promote life science research both nationally and internationally.


Why Human Technopole:
HT seeks scientific excellence, we recruit the best scientific talents through international, open calls.
Our working environment is international, friendly and inclusive. Our scientists work together across disciplines on research topics of biomedical relevance, leveraging synergies between their diverse skillsets and methodological approaches.
We believe that highly diverse teams yield the best and most innovative results.
We engage in outward-facing scientific activities aimed at benefiting the national and international research community. Training is also at the heart of our activity, with initiatives and opportunities for our staff, including scientific courses, conferences and workshops.


Main benefits

• Welfare plans
• Canteen service
• Work-life balance provisions
• Italian language training for foreigners
• Parental leave up to 1 year and other support for new parents
• Counseling
• Flexible working hours
• Remote working policy
• Support for relocation
• Researchers coming to Italy for the first time, or returning after residing abroad, benefit from very attractive income tax benefits.

Special consideration will be given to candidates who are part of the protected categories list, according to L. 68/99.


Number of positions offered: 1
Contract offered: CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, Fixed-term 3 years - employee level, with the possibility of renewal.
Salary range: up to 41K.
Tax benefits where applicable.
The position is based in Milan.


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 favour 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.