16 ott - Milano
Human Technopole
Project: Alignment-free read recruitment for pangenome-based genotyping of complex genomic loci
Join a place where ambitious science thrives.
Application closing date: October 29, 2026
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 Soranzo Research Group investigates human genetic variation and its impact on complex traits and diseases. By integrating large-scale genomic datasets with functional genomic and immunological assays, the group aims to systematically map how genetic variation propagates across multiple layers of gene regulation to understand inter-individual variability.
We are seeking a highly motivated Master’s student to support an alignment-free "fishing" strategy development to recruit locus-specific reads directly from raw sequencing data, bypassing reference bias in highly polymorphic genomic regions.
Your mission
As an intern, you will have the opportunity to contribute to activities such as:
• Apply, extend or build tools to identify highly specific k-mers from pangenomic assemblies and sequenced samples (e.g. kfilt)
• Develop and implement efficient algorithms to extract reads from raw sample FASTQ files belonging to target complex loci (e.g., MHC, AMY1).
• Build and integrate a fast, reference-agnostic front-end for the COSIGT/PANVAR pangenome genotyping pipeline.
• Benchmark performance on diverse modern human populations as well as ancient DNA datasets.
• Participate in regular research group meetings, presenting your progress and discussing scientific findings.
• Work alongside experienced researchers in an interdisciplinary and international environment.
Grow Your Skills
You will enhance your scientific and professional skills by working with:
• Algorithm development at the intersection
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