Organisation/Company University of Parma Research Field Medical sciences » Cancer research Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 31 Mar 2026 - 12:30 (Europe/Rome) Country Italy Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 1 May 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
Project: TORCH – Targeting the Origin of Chromosome Fusion in Childhood Leukemia
Host Institution: University of Parma, Italy
Principal Investigator: Prof. Giovanni Roti
Project Duration: 60 months
The Laboratory of Translational Hematology and Chemogenomics at the University of Parma invites applications for two highly motivated Postdoctoral Researchers to join the TORCH project, an advanced, multidisciplinary research program aimed at identifying and therapeutically targeting the shared mechanisms underlying chromosomal translocations in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
Chromosome fusions represent early and persistent oncogenic events in ALL, particularly in high-risk and relapsed/refractory disease, yet the biological processes driving their formation and maintenance remain largely unexplored and therapeutically untapped. TORCH integrates functional genomics, CRISPR-Cas9 technologies, gene expression–based high-throughput screening (GE-HTS), chemical biology, and preclinical in vivo models to uncover common fusion-dependent vulnerabilities and translate them into novel therapeutic strategies.
The two postdoctoral positions are complementary and highly interactive, covering distinct but interconnected work packages of the project.
Postdoctoral Position 1 – Functional Genomics and CRISPR-Based Leukemia Models
Research activities
The selected candidate will focus on the molecular and functional characterization of chromosomal fusions in ALL through:
* generation and validation of CRISPR-Cas9–based knockout and inducible knockdown models targeting fusion genes and their partners in B-ALL and T-ALL cell lines;
* transcriptomic profiling (RNA-seq) following fusion loss to define shared fusionALL “Off” gene expression signatures;
* functional characterization of fusion-dependent vulnerabilities using cell viability, apoptosis, and fitness assays;
* participation in genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 synthetic lethality screens, alone and in combination with small-molecule modulators identified in the project;
* integration of in-house data with public resources (e.g., DepMap) and contribution to mechanistic interpretation.
Required profile
* PhD in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Genomics, Hematology, or related fields;
* strong hands‑on experience with CRISPR-Cas9 technologies and mammalian cell culture;
* solid background in RNA-seq analysis and functional genomics;
* prior experience with leukemia or hematologic malignancy models is highly desirable;
* ability to work independently within a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment.
Postdoctoral Position 2 – Chemical Biology, GE-HTS, and Preclinical Validation
Research activities
The selected candidate will contribute to the discovery and validation of fusion modulators by:
* developing and applying gene expression–based high-throughput screening (GE-HTS) assays using RNA barcoding and 3’ RNA sequencing;
* screening annotated small-molecule libraries, including FDA-approved and bioactive compounds, to identify modulators of the fusionALL “Off” state;
* performing dose–response, mechanism-of-action, and pharmacodynamic studies in ALL cell lines and primary patient‑derived samples;
* validating selected compounds in patient‑derived leukemia xenograft (PDLX) models;
* contributing to multi‑omic analyses, including bulk and single-cell RNA-seq and chromatin accessibility profiling, to define compound‑induced biological effects.
Required profile
* PhD in Pharmacology, Chemical Biology, Experimental Oncology, Biotechnology, or related disciplines;
* demonstrated experience in functional drug screening, compound profiling, or mechanism-of-action studies;
* familiarity with leukemia models, viability/apoptosis assays, and drug response analyses;
* strong interest in translational and preclinical cancer research.
Research environment and opportunities
Successful candidates will join a highly dynamic and international research environment, with access to:
* state-of-the-art platforms for genomics, high-throughput screening, single‑cell technologies, and in‑vivo modeling;
* close integration with a clinical hematology unit and national/international leukemia research networks;
* strong mentorship and opportunities for high-impact publications, grant writing, and scientific independence.
These positions offer a unique opportunity to contribute to a cutting‑edge project addressing fundamental mechanisms of leukemia biology with clear translational potential for high-risk pediatric patients.
If interested please contact along with a CV and a letter of motivation.
* Strong background in molecular and cellular biology applied to cancer research, with a focus on leukemia or hematologic malignancies.
* Proven ability to design, execute, and interpret functional experiments in mammalian cell systems.
* Experience with genomic and transcriptomic approaches, including RNA-seq–based analyses.
* Hands‑on expertise in at least one of the following areas:
o CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing and functional genomics, including loss‑of‑function studies;
o Chemical biology and functional drug screening, including dose‑response and mechanism‑of‑action studies.
* Familiarity with high-throughput or medium-throughput experimental platforms and quantitative data analysis.
* Ability to integrate multi-dimensional datasets (genetic, transcriptional, functional) to derive biological insights.
* Strong organizational skills and capacity to manage complex experimental workflows within a collaborative research program.
Specific Requirements
Skills & Qualifications
* PhD in Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, Pharmacology, Genomics, Experimental Oncology, Hematology, or a closely related discipline.
* Documented research experience in cancer biology or leukemia research; prior work on chromosomal rearrangements or transcriptional regulation is an advantage.
* Demonstrated proficiency in CRISPR-Cas9 technologies, gene knockdown/knockout strategies, or functional genetic screens and/or in small‑molecule screening and pharmacological profiling.
* Experience with standard cell-based assays, including cell viability, apoptosis, cell cycle, and metabolic analyses.
* Knowledge of bioinformatic tools and pipelines for transcriptomic data analysis; basic R or Python skills are desirable.
* Experience with primary patient samples and/or in vivo models (e.g., xenografts) is considered a plus.
* Strong written and oral communication skills in English, with a proven track record of scientific reporting or publications.
* Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in an international research environment.
Languages ENGLISH Level Good
Research Field Medical sciences » Cancer research Years of Research Experience 1 - 4
Additional Information
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available 2
Company/Institute University of Parma | Department of Medicine and Surgery
Country Italy
State/Province Emilia Romagna
City Parma
Postal Code 43121
Street Via Gramsci 14
Geofield
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