The Computational Biology & Gene Regulation group led by Anthony Mathelier at the NCMM, a part of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, is seeking a highly motivated Researcher or Postdoctoral Fellow for a two-year position, starting as soon as possible in 2024. The selected candidate will play a pivotal role in a collaborative project spanning internationally renowned groups, namely those of Drs. Anshul Kundaje at Stanford University, USA, Wyeth Wasserman at the University of British Columbia, Canada, and Anthony Mathelier, NCMM, Norway. The position will be based in Norway. More information about the group can be found at https://mathelierlab.com/.
Join us to not only advance your career but also contribute to meaningful scientific discoveries and resources in the world of computational biology and gene regulation.
Position Description
The selected candidate will contribute to a cutting-edge project aimed at enhancing and expanding computational resources to decipher transcription factor (TF) - DNA interactions. The focus will be on the enhancement of the JASPAR (https://jaspar.elixir.no) and UniBind (https://unibind.uio.no) databases, which ELIXIR Norway recognizes as a Norwegian bioinformatics service. Specifically, the candidate will utilize advanced deep learning techniques to provide refined models and data crucial for the analysis of disease mutations affecting gene expression.
The candidate can refer to the following publications, which can be discussed during the interview: https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkad1059, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12864-021-07760-6, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-021-00782-6.
Key responsibilities
- Generation of BPnet deep learning models on ChIP-seq datasets from the GEO database.
- Employing interpretation tools like DeepLIFT and TF-MoDISco to meticulously extract TF-DNA interactions.
- Development of a framework for integrating these models into JASPAR and enriching the UniBind database with high-resolution interactions.
Requirements
The ideal candidate should meet the following criteria:
- Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computational Biology, or a related field obtained in the last 5 years.
- Possess strong programming skills.
- Experience in machine learning (deep learning would be an advantage).
- Ability to collaborate with researchers from different fields and at different career stages.
- Willingness to be part of a team to share knowledge and skills.
- Documented ability to communicate science.
- At least one 1st author publication in an international journal.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.
Advantageous skills
- Experience with computational genomics data analysis.
- Experience in web development for scientific applications or databases; ideally proficiency in frameworks such as Django.
- Familiarity with TF-DNA interaction models and genomic interpretation tools would be a distinct advantage.
- Track record of developing reproducible computational pipelines.
What we offer
- A salary of NOK 575 400 - 646 000 per annum depending on qualifications in position as Postdoctoral Fellow (position code 1352)/Researcher (position code 1109).
- Be part of an environment with experts in bioinformatics, with access to weekly code review and software quality meetings.
- A stimulating research project that will have an impact on the scientific community.
- A role within an ambitious and multi-disciplinary collaborative team that combines the strengths of both experimental and computational sciences, aimed at delivering high-impact research.
- Opportunities for professional development, including conferences and workshops.
- Attractive welfare benefits including a generous pension agreement.
- A family-friendly environment in Oslo, known for its high quality of life, rich cultural scene, and abundant opportunities for outdoor activities.
Collaborative Environment
This position offers the unique opportunity to engage with leading experts in the field and to be part of a supportive and dynamic local and international research environment. The collaboration with the groups of Drs. Kundaje and Wasserman provides an enriching cross-institutional experience.
Application Procedure
Applicants should include (1) a cover letter outlining motivations, career goals, relevant experience, and research interests, (2) a CV with list of publications, and (3) two-three referees contact information. These should be uploaded as a single PDF document in the electronic recruiting system. All documents should be in English.
Deadline
The application deadline is February 8th, 2024. Interviews will be conducted with the top selected candidates.
