Group Leader in Health Data Science

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 focuses on 7 main research areas (Computational Biology, Structural Biology, Genomics, Neurogenomics, Health Data Science, Molecular Cell Biology, and Biophysical Modelling and Simulation) organised into 5 Research Centres. The Centres work together to enable interdisciplinary research and to create an open, collaborative environment that will help promote life science research both nationally and internationally.

Human Technopole is seeking to recruit an outstanding scientist to establish an independent research group at HT as Group Leader. The successful candidate should have a proven record of accomplishments in Health Data Science. Candidates with the potential to establish collaborations within and outside the institute will be particularly valued.

The Health Data Science Centre focuses on systematically generating, mobilising, and harvesting “big data” to create a dynamic and agnostic collection of information and 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 patient and public benefit.

One of the strategic research priorities across the Centre is Health Data Science, which entails the development and application of cutting-edge health analytics methods that allow the integration and study of complex data arising from electronic health records as well as omics sources. The aim is to optimise knowledge generation from large-scale databases featuring complex and multi-dimensional data and to ensure robust inference and reliable predictions for supporting clinical and policy decisions.

Applications from candidates who are taking interdisciplinary approaches will be especially valued.

HT Research Group Leaders benefit from a competitive core support package that includes funds for staff, access to Facilities and IT equipment, which can further be expanded by raising extramural funding. HT also provides access to a collaborative network within the Italian research community and close links to its scientific and industry partners.

Your main tasks and responsibilities

The Research Group Leader will:

• Establish and lead a new independent group in the Health Data Science Centre, conducting high quality research relevant to applied aspects of health data science;
• Develop independent programmes of research, as well as to collaborate in exciting existing initiatives and studies;
• Create strong collaborations with research groups in the Centre, within HT (such as the Population & Medical Genomics and the Computational Biology Centres), with the Politecnico di Milano, and externally, some of which may contribute to creating infrastructures that will serve the broader community;
• Participate in HT interdisciplinary cross-centre Flagship Research Programmes aimed at elucidating the fundamental molecular mechanisms underpinning diverse pathophysiological processes;
• Develop and supervise the establishment of a world-class research programme in health data science;
• Foster a diverse and nurturing research environment through leading and mentoring a team;
• Develop and foster links between HT and other national and international research organizations;
• Raise third-party funding;
• Contribute to the preparation of Centre reports to be reviewed by an external expert board;
• Actively participate in initiatives that pursue improvement of all aspects of HT;

• Actively participate in the co-organization and implementation of activities that will promote the image of HT in the international community, such as symposia and workshops;
• Contribute to the establishment of a collaborative and open scientific environment by actively participating in meetings and seminar series internal to HT. This will foster synergies between the groups and propagation of knowledge;
• Raise third-party funding;
• Participate and help to design HT Core infrastructures and facilities.

Requirements

The candidate will be an early and mid-career leading scientist with quantitative expertise and track record of addressing research questions relevant to health data science and population health. Because the chosen candidate will provide intellectual leaderships as one of the Health Data Science Centre leaders, his/her academic background and research perspectives must demonstrate coherence with the Centre’s mission.

Essential requirements

• PhD in a quantitative domain, such as (but not limited to) statistics, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computer science, data science, applied mathematics, advanced analytical techniques;
• Background in biostatistics, statistics, bioinformatics, computer science, data science, mathematics, physics or health informatics;
• Fluency in English.

Preferred requirements

• Quantitative expertise and a commitment to and track record of addressing applied questions relevant to one of the following areas: Cardiometabolic and Metabolic Diseases; Evolving Diseases: Immunogenomics, Cancer, Infections; Neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions;
• Outstanding proven record of scientific research output in the field of health data science;
• Scientific vision

Organizational and social skills

• Strong interpersonal skills demonstrated by the ability to lead and gain the assistance and cooperation of others in a team endeavour;
• Proven leadership, communication, team building and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to interact effectively with other teams and work synergistically to effectively drive projects;
• Highly organised and meticulous work attitude;
• Attitude towards service;
• 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

Please apply by sending:

• Curriculum Vitae including a full publication list.

• Motivation letter explaining your interest in applying for this position.

• Outline of current research interests (1 page).

• Summary of future research plan (2 pages).

• Statement on how the proposed research will synergize and complement current HT research (1 page).

• List of up to three most important publications in the proposed field of research.

• Names and contact details of three referees who have agreed to be contacted.

The Research Group Leader appointment is for five years, with the possibility of renewal upon successful evaluation (5+5). Inquiries can be sent to recruitment@fht.org. Please refer to the HT website for further information about the institute.

Why Human Technopole
HT seeksscientific excellence, we recruit the best scientific talents through international, open calls.
Our working environment isinternational,friendly andinclusive. Our scientistswork together across disciplineson research topics of biomedical relevance,leveraging synergiesbetween their diverse skillsets and methodological approaches.
We believe thathighly diverse teams yield the best and most innovative results.
We engage inoutward-facing scientific activitiesaimed at benefiting the national and internationalresearch 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

• Support for relocation

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: Fixed-term (5 years) with possibility of renewal - Executive level

The position is based inMilan.

“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”.