Assistant Professor in Population Genomics or Machine Learning

Assistant Professor in Population Genomics or Machine Learning in Bioinformatics

The Department of Bio and Health Informatics at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU Bioinformatics) has its main research and teaching activities in bio-medical and bio-technological informatics, metagenomics, epidemiology, integrative systems biology and machine learning. The research at DTU Bioinformatics is focused on bioinformatics and computational analyses of large amounts of data generated within biological, biomedical and biotechnological and life sciences area. We strive to gain new knowledge and drive innovation in human, animal, plant and food science and collaborate with all relevant industries. A cornerstone in achieving this is the dedicated effort within DTU Bioinformatics to develop bioinformatics, immuno-informatics, metagenomics and systems biology methods and solutions to the challenge of handling and interpreting large scale and heterogeneous big data. We run projects combining big data and laboratory research via the national supercomputing center (Computerome) and molecular genomics laboratories.

The department is seeking an Assistant Professor in one of the following two fields:
•    Population Genomics
•    Machine Learning in bioinformatics

The assistant professorship is a permanent entry-level faculty position.

Responsibilities and tasks
The successful candidate within

Population Genomics, could focus on:
Applying population genomics and/or statistical genetics within biology and medicine and contributing across research groups within personalized medicine, disease systems biology, microbiome research, and molecular evolution
The position will be placed within DTU Bioinformatics but is not pre-allocated to a particular research group. Depending on the candidate and the particular field of interest the candidate may be embedded in an existing group or start his/her own group. At DTU Bioinformatics:

• You will contribute to the promotion, development and improvement of research and education within the field of population genomics and bioinformatics
• You will be responsible for organizing a new course on population genomics/statistical genetics at DTU Bioinformatics

Machine Learning in bioinformatics, could focus on:
Elucidating the biological rules governing T cell immunogenicity as a cornerstone in vaccine development via integration of information obtained from single-cell sequencing of T cells with a focus on clinical context

The position will be placed within the DTU Bioinformatics research group Immunoinformatics and Machine Learning (IML) headed by Professor Morten Nielsen. The IML group plays a central role in elucidating immunogenicity in the immune epitope database (IEDB) project together with The Center for Infectious Disease at La Jolla institute of Allergy and Immunology. At DTU Bioinformatics:

• You will contribute to the promotion, development and improvement of research and education within the field of Machine Learning in bioinformatics
• You will be responsible for organizing the Immunological Bioinformatics course at DTU Bioinformatics
• You will be responsible for developing an introductory course on data analysis / machine learning in bioinformatics

Within both fields:

• You will actively develop and run research projects or programs and seek external funding from national, EU and international funding bodies
• You will engage in supervision and/or co-supervision of MSc and PhD students
• Your work will include dissemination of research results at all levels including publications in high impact journals
• You will be responsible for establishing and strengthening the collaboration with national and international groups working in the above areas
• You will engage in continued interaction with peers from relevant departments and centers at DTU and from other national and international research groups

Qualifications
You hold a PhD degree in one or more of the following areas: bioinformatics, biology, engineering, computer science or related field. Furthermore, 3-5 years of experience as a postdoctoral researcher or similar extensive experience is a prerequisite.

The ideal candidate will moreover exhibit the following professional and personal qualifications:

• DTU Bioinformatics has a strong emphasis on doing interdisciplinary research, i.e. the research is placed in the interaction field between computer science, math and biology, therefore a strong understanding of biology and biological systems is a must
• You can document a strong potential and profile for research and education within machine learning in bioinformatics or Population Genomics including expertise in high performance computing in the life sciences
• Experience in UNIX / LINUX computing systems and HPC infrastructure
• Knowledge of data integration of omics data / systems biology as well as high performance computing and machine learning
• Skills in programming languages relevant for bioinformatics, e.g. Python, Perl, R
• Proven track record of teaching at BSc and/or MSc level in relevant disciplines
• Capability of taking personal responsibility for your work and your results
• Flexibility and a general positive attitude to changes
• Motivation by both individual and team accomplishments
• Strong communication skills and fluency in both written and verbal English

Essential for Population Genomics:

• Solid understanding of biology and potentially complex diseases and/or microbiome analysis
• Solid skills in the use of Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) methods and tools for analysis of NGS data
• Experience within bio-medical research
• Potential experience within statistical genetics
• Interested in contributing to applying population genomics across research groups

Essential for Machine Learning in bioinformatics:

• Solid skills within machine learning using Keras/TensorFlow or similar
• Solid understanding of biology and immunology
• Prior experience with applying immunoinformatics as a basis for protein/peptide based in silico vaccine development
• Preferably, experience within mapping human genetics in context with immunology associated diseases
• In order to maintain and expand collaborative efforts, a proven track record of experience within clinical research, preferably within immunology associated diseases, will be advantageous

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:

• Experience and quality of teaching
• Research experience
• Research vision and potential
• Societal impact
• Documented innovation activities, including commercialization and collaboration with industry
• International experience
• Internal and external collaboration
• Communication skills

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union.

An assistant professorship is a permanent entry-level faculty position. After a maximum of 4 years, an assistant professor can be promoted to an associate professor position after assessment. More information can be found here: Career paths at DTU.

Further information 
Further information may be obtained from:

• Population Genomics: Professor Anders Gorm Pedersen, gorm@bioinformatics.dtu.dk
• Machine Learning in bioinformatics: Professor Morten Nielsen, mniel@bioinformatics.dtu.dk

Application procedure 
Please submit your online application no later than 26 October 2018 (local time). Apply via the “Ansøg” link

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

The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Teaching and research statement, with a focus on the “Assessment” bullet points listed above
• Documentation of previous teaching and research, as related to the “Assessment” bullet points listed above
• List of publications
• H-index, and ORCID (see e.g. http://orcid.org/)
• Diploma (MSc/PhD)

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

In the field “Please indicate which position you are applying for”, please indicate which position you are applying for.

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

From January 2019, DTU Bioinformatics will cease to exist in its present form, and become part of a new department for Health Technology. With approximately 300 researchers from various departments, DTU Health Technology will be able to offer optimal conditions and facilities for health technology research. The aim is to become an international-class research platform capable of fostering new technology and new solutions that can improve the quality of patient care and public health and well-being.   

For further information on the reorganization, please see our website.

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