PhD in Bioinformatics: Single-Cell Network Analytics

Organisation/Company Forschungszentrum Jülich Research Field All Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Final date to receive applications 19 Jan 2038 - 03:14 (UTC) Country Germany Type of Contract To be defined Job Status Other Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

IBG-4 - Bioinformatik

Area of research:

PHD Thesis

Your Job:

• Develop methods and workflows to construct robust co-regulation networks from large single-cell and spatial transcriptomics datasets
• Integrate ontologies and metadata (e.g., tissue, cell type, developmental stage, treatment) to build tissue- and context-specific co-regulation networks
• Design and implement clustering and integration approaches (e.g., network-based and subspace clustering)
• Use co-regulation networks for gene function and protein–protein functional relationship prediction (guilt-by-association), and benchmark them against existing bulk co-expression resources
• Compare and optimise the developed methods on real biological datasets; work closely with experimental partners for interpretation and validation of results
• Contribute to the integration of the developed methods into open-source software tools and data portals of the institute
  • Collaborate with internal and external, as well as national and international, project partners
• Present your results at national and international conferences
• Prepare scientific publications and project reports

Your Profile:

• Genuine interest in data science and one or more of its application domains: life and medical sciences, earth sciences, energy systems, or material sciences
• A Masters degree with a strong academic background in mathematics, computer science, physics, material science, earth science, life science, engineering, or a related field
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python, R, C++, Julia, …)
• Good analytical skills with a sound understanding of data evaluation
• Prior experience with single-cell data analysis, network analysis, or machine learning are a plus
• Good organisational skills and ability to work both independently and collaboratively
• Effective communication skills and an interest in contributing to a highly international and interdisciplinary team
• Motivation for academic development, supported by bachelor’s and master’s transcripts and two reference letters
• Working proficiency in English for daily communication and professional contexts.(TOEFL or equivalent or exemption required)
• Knowledge of German is beneficial

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! This HDS-LEE PhD position will be located at Forschungszentrum Jülich, HHU Düsseldorf and Aarhus. We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• Outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure
• Cutting Edge data are available for analysis
• Highly motivated groups as well as an international and interdisciplinary working environment at one of Europe’s largest research establishments
• Continuous scientific mentoring by your scientific advisors
• Chance of participating in (international) conferences
• Unique HDS-LEE graduate school program (including data science courses, soft skill courses and annual retreats)
• Qualification that is highly welcome in industry
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. via a comprehensive further training program; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors:
• 30 Days of annual leave and flexible working arrangements, including partial remote work
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service

The position is initially limited to three years, with a planned one-year extension. Pay in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Further information on…