Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE)

Phd position - Computational biology/Modelling

The Centre for Integrative Genetics (CIGENE), hosted by the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB), has recently been awarded a substantial grant under the Research Council of Norway's eScience programme, eVITA. eVITA is a research and infrastructure programme designed to address computing and data-intensive challenges in science, technology and medicine.
 
The eVITA project awarded to CIGENE, "Bridging the gap: disclosure, understanding and exploitation of the genotype-phenotype map", is divided into three interconnected work packages. They involve development of new theory, models and methods, and they will guide the development of an eInfrastructure customized to meet the demands of serious systems biology research in terms of computational resources, data-storage resources, and software solutions. Our main collaborators include the Human Genome Sequencing Centre, Baylor College of Medicine, the Norwegian Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Synthesis (University of Oslo (UiO)), USIT, UiO's centre for information technology through its Scientific Computing Group, the Heart Research Group at the Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics in Berlin, Simula Research Laboratory, Roslin Institute and the Yeast Centre at the University of Gøteborg. The eVITA grant also ensures priority access to the Norwegian metacenter for computational science and associated high-performance supercomputer resources.

CIGENE is currently inviting applications for a three-year, limited-term PhD fellowship to join the team responsible for the work package "Bridging the genotype-advanced synthetic phenotype gap". The aim for this work package is to establish in a population setting a computational pipeline for describing, understanding and exploiting the link between genetic concepts and methodologies and the mammalian heart model (http://www.uniservices.co.nz/).
 
We seek a candidate with a background in one or more of the following areas: computational biology, mathematical modelling and/or multivariate analysis. We will encourage a highly talented candidate to select his or her research programme from an array of topics and theoretical approaches of relevance to the goals of the work package.
 
Applicants should hold a Master of Science degree or the equivalent. Solid programming skills will weigh heavily in a candidate's favour. The successful candidate will be required to enter a PhD programme at UMB and is expected to complete his/her doctorate in the course of the three-year project period. We expect candidates to be highly skilled in their field, self-motivated, eager to take the initiative, in possession of good interpersonal skills and willing to work in close collaboration with others.

Annual salary starts at level 43 on the Norwegian Government salary scale (currently approx NOK 325,600 (EUR 40,700)). The position will be located at CIGENE's premises at UMB.
 
Applicants should submit three copies of their written application, detailed CV, relevant publications, and copies of certificates and references. Applications quoting reference number 08/553 should be sent to: UMB, Dept. of Mathematical Sciences and Technology, P O Box 5003, N-1432 Aas, Norway by 30 May 2008.
 
For further information contact Postdoctoral fellow Jon Olav Vik (e-mail: jon.vik@umb.no ; phone +47-64965234) or Prof. Stig W. Omholt (e-mail: stig.omholt@umb.no ; phone +47-64965297).