Build the science that shapes the future of human health.
Application closing date: 25.06.2026

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 Sottoriva Group aims to measure the evolutionary process in human cancers and model systems, predict the future course of the disease and uncover the mechanisms of drug resistance. By using a combination of spatial and longitudinal data from patients and patient-derived model systems, evolutionary theory, and advanced machine learning techniques, we ultimately aim to outpace cancer progression and dismantle its resistance to treatment.

Project Overview

Our lab has secured a prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant to fund “DARC MATTER” (101125077), our project aimed at studying currently unknown dynamics and mechanisms of drug resistance in colorectal cancer. DARC MATTER is a five-year project, on-going since January 2024, that generates comprehensive longitudinal, single cell and multi-omics data of patient-derived organoid models under the evolutionary pressure of cancer drugs in different sequences, offering an unparalleled opportunity for measuring cancer biology.

We are seeking looking for a highly motivated Technician to play a key role in the DARC MATTER project as a maternity cover. The selected Research Technician will help to generate the project’s data, leveraging their expertise to culture and manipulate patient-derived 3D organoids. The Research Technician will profile organoid lines using genomic techniques, including single-cell sequencing, and perform drug response measurements.

As an integral member of the project team, the Research Technician will drive the project forward with their experimental work, together with a computational researcher who is responsible for the data analysis part. Together they ensure the advancement of the project’s goals.

The candidate will also collaborate with other members of the Computational Biology Research Centre, including experienced wet lab and computational scientists.

HT benefits from accessibility to the HT National Facility for Genomics, providing state-of-the-art and innovative services ranging from high-throughput sequencing to multi-omics technologies.

The successful candidates will report directly to the Group Leader, Prof Andrea Sottoriva, who is also the Head of the Computational Biology Research Centre

Your mission

• Conducting experiments in cell biology, with strong emphasis on development, optimization and application of protocols for organoid cultures applied to human normal and tumour cells.

• Applying, generating, and optimizing protocols for human organoid cultures. We aim to stay at the forefront of science in the field.
• Maintaining organoid lines generated in the lab and ensuring that all primary human material is stored and processed according to the health and safety, and ethics committee guidance.
• Performing single cell profiling and genomic screening of organoid lines.

• Working in tandem with a computational researcher, who analyses the data, fostering a synergy that propels the project toward its ambitious goals.
• Working closely with an interdisciplinary team to formulate and validate hypotheses.
• Working with the HT National Facility for Genomics for sample profiling.
• Supporting genomic library preparation.
• Performing meticulous sample tracking, storing and QC.
• Generating reliable data for publication in the ERC project and recording all data and results in specified forms.
• Liaising with the Centre’s Lab Manager and other staff to ensure that they are regularly updated.

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

• Advanced organoid culture techniques, including the establishment and long-term maintenance of patient-derived 3D tumour and normal organoid lines at the forefront of the field.
• State-of-the-art single-cell and multi-omics genomic technologies, including hands-on access to the HT National Facility for Genomics’ high-throughput sequencing platforms.
• Interdisciplinary collaboration at the wet lab–computational interface, developing the ability to work closely with bioinformaticians and data scientists on a high-profile ERC-funded project.
• Drug response assay design and evolutionary biology frameworks applied to cancer research, building expertise in clinically relevant experimental models of drug resistance.

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

What you'll bring

Essential

• A Bachelor’s degree in molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or in a related field of the life sciences is required.
• A minimum of 2 years of relevant laboratory experience in cell culture.
• Experience in tissue culture and patient-derived organoid models.
• Fluency in English – HT is an international research institute.

Preferred

• Experience in human tissue processing, in handling human blood material, in histology and immunohistochemistry.
• Experience in sample preparation and tracking, specifically human tissues.
• Experience with genomic techniques, transfection and knockdown experiments (e.g., CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, siRNA, shRNA, antisense and similar technologies).
• Experience with handling large-scale project.

Organizational and social skills

• Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment and to work independently.
• Excellent organization and communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrating by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.

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

Please apply online by sending:

i) CV and Cover Letter (English)

ii) Contact details of two referees

This is a maternity leave contract offered under CCNL Chimico Farmaceutico, Level B2

Salary: up to € 35.000,00 depending on the candidate’ seniority.
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).