Postdoc position in metagenomics, immunological bioinformatics and systems biology

Employer

Introduction

Associate professor Morten Nielsen, Immunological Bioinformatics, and professor Thomas Sicheritz-Pontén, head of the Metagenomics group, within the Center for Biological Sequence Analysis at the Technical University of Denmark are seeking a highly motivated candidate for a postdoc position within metagenomics, antigen discovery and machine learning methods in systems biology. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic team analyzing next generation sequence data, designing large-scale peptide-chips, implementing novel methods and applying techniques for antigen discovery.

The candidate will take on a central role in the project “Discovery of Novel Treponema Antigens in Digital Dermatitis in Cattle by Metatranscriptomics and Peptide-chip Technology”. In collaboration with researchers from the Danish national veterinary institute, a metatranscriptomic approach will be used to sequence and assemble all the expressed genes from the DD-associated treponemes found in the infected tissue. The expressed genes of the DD-associated microbial community will subsequently be screened for antibody reactivity applying peptide-chip technology and the result will be analyzed integrating systems biology and state-of-the-art immunoinformatics methods. A central part of the project hence consists of the ability to handle metatranscriptomic data, design peptide-chips, and last but not least be able to analyze the chip data using state-of-the-art immunoinformatics prediction methods combined with systems biology approaches such as a network analysis.

Qualifications

Applicants should hold a PhD in bioinformatics, biology, engineering, computer science or similar. The candidate must have strong computational skills and prior experience with Unix/Linux command line environments, as well as either Perl, Python, Ruby or a comparable scripting language. The applicant must have prior experience with bioinformatics and machine learning methods. Knowledge of systems biology, network analysis, immunology, immunoinformatics and sequence assembly is considered a plus.

The applicant must be a good communicator and strong in written as well as spoken English.

Salary and appointment terms

The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed with the relevant union.

The period of employment is for 2 years with possibility of extension.

Further information

Further information may be obtained from associate professor Morten Nielsen,mniel@cbs.dtu.dk and professor Thomas Sicheritz-Pontén, thomas@cbs.dtu.dk.

Please do not send applications to this e-mail address, instead apply online as described below. 

Application

We must have your online application by 1 May 2013. Apply at www.career.dtu.dk

Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online," fill in the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Contact information for 2 references
• Brief description of research experience & interests
• Diploma
• List of publications

Applications and enclosures received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

The Center for Biological Sequence Analysis at the Technical University of Denmark was formed in 1993, and conducts basic research in the fields of bioinformatics and systems biology. The center is divided into twelve specialist research groups, has a highly multi-disciplinary profile (biologists, biochemists, MDs, physicists, statisticians, and computer scientists) with a ratio of 2:1 of bio-to-nonbio backgrounds. CBS represents one of the large bioinformatics groups in academia in Europe.

DTU is a technical university providing internationally leading research, education, innovation and public service. Our staff of 5,000 advance science and technology to create innovative solutions that meet the demands of society; and our 7,000 students are educated to address the technological challenges of the future. DTU is an independent academic university collaborating globally with business, industry, government, and public agencies

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