Postdoctoral Fellowship in bioinformatics and genetic epidemiology

Postdoctoral Fellowship in bioinformatics and genetic epidemiology

A two-year postdoctoral fellowship is available at the Section for Computational and RNA Biology, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen. The position will be available from April 1st, 2024 or thereafter. The specific projects involve analyzing large amounts of multi-omic data from several ethnic groups, including Danes, Pakistani and Greenlanders. The multi-omic data include whole genome sequencing, RNA sequencing data, gut microbiome, proteomics and metabolomics data. The focus is either on comparing different ethnic groups or on the Greenlandic population where we have both multi-omic data, deep phenotype data and whole genome data for a large cohort.

The projects are part of a series of large-scale genetic studies in the Greenlandic population and other ethnic groups with the aim of unravelling the role of genetics, diet, physical activity, and the gut microbiome in metabolic health and disease, both separately and in interaction. The applicants are expected to collaborate on several other projects as well.

Key publication relevant for the Greenlandic study

Moltke et al. Nature, 2014 512(7513);190-3

Moltke et al. Am. J. Hum. Genet.: 2015, 96(1);54-69

Fumagalli et al. Science, 2016 , 349(6254);1343-7

Grarup et al. Nature Genetics 2018, 50(2);172-174

Waples et al. Current Biology 2021,31(10):2214-2219

Andersen et al. Gastroenterology 2022; 162(4):1171-8

Jørsboe et al. HGG Adv: 2022, 3(4);100118

Thuesen et al. Lancet Reg Health Eur: 2023, 24;100529

Research environments

The position is in the group of professor Anders Albrechtsen who is working in applied statistical and computational approaches for analysis of large scale genomic data including methods for loci association studies, methods for detecting and correcting for population stratification, detecting selection on disease susceptibility genes, and various topics for analysis of large scale sequencing data. For more information see www.popgen.dk

In addition, the projects that the successful candidate will be working on are a part of a collaboration with the clinical group of Dr professor Torben Hansen, who works with genetic, microbiome and metabolome studies in monogenic diabetes, childhood obesity and large-scale genetic epidemiology studies. For more information see tinyurl.com/ycx833rt

Qualifications

The postdoc will be expected to participate both in the bioinformatics analysis of sequencing data as well as in the interpretation, writing and leading the projects. Some flexibility in the tasks is possible depending on the skills and interests of the candidate.

To be considered, applicants must:

• Have a PhD in bioinformatics, quantitative genetics, population genetics, statistical genetics or a similar field
• Have experience in working with high throughput sequencing data
• Be experienced with handling of large amount of genetic data

Skills of additional interest include (but not required):

• Experience with multi-omic data
• Experience in statistics
• Experience in population genetics
• Experience with GWAS
• Experience with running analyses using HPC
• Experience using BASH, R, python, C/C++
• Experience with analyses of high-dimensional data

The working language is English, thus good English speaking, reading and writing skills are required.

For further information please contact Anders Albrechtsen (albrecht@binf.ku.dk)

Salary and terms of employment

The successful applicants will be hired as postdoctoral fellows for an initial 2-year period. The possibility exists for extension after this initial period depending on funding and performance. Terms of appointment and payment are according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations (AC).

Application

The application, in English, must be submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below no later than 3 January 2024 23:59 GMT+1

Please include:

• Cover letter (half to one page)
• Curriculum vita
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Complete publication list
• Contact details of two people for references

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, race, religion or sexual orientation. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.