Postdoctoral position in genomics
80-100 %
Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR), Bern
Start of employment: by agreement
Temporary employment
Next-generation sequencing has great potential for clinical applications. It helps us to understand cancer better, and its ultimate promise is to provide personalized treatment recommendations for patients. Our research group studies algorithms for data generated by next-generation sequencing (genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics). We also collaborate with the Radiation Oncology Research Laboratory (group of PD Dr. Michaela Medová) to analyze results from biological experiments studying DNA damage response and cancer radiotherapy resistance.
Tasks
Various biological and chemical processes leave characteristic patterns, mutational signatures, in the genome. In our recent work, we documented important limitations of the available tools for signature analysis (Medo et al, 2024).
We are now looking for applicants who will develop new algorithms specifically designed to overcome the identified shortcomings, in particular, the activity of unknown signatures in the analyzed samples. A combination of analytical and computational approaches will be employed to this end. Extensive computer simulations will be used to benchmark the developed algorithms.
The final results of this project will be implemented as software packages that will improve and simplify the analysis of mutational signatures for the broad community of researchers and other practitioners. This will help to effectively use costly sequencing data and thus enable discoveries and therapeutic decisions that would otherwise be impossible.
We are now looking for applicants who will develop new algorithms specifically designed to overcome the identified shortcomings, in particular, the activity of unknown signatures in the analyzed samples. A combination of analytical and computational approaches will be employed to this end. Extensive computer simulations will be used to benchmark the developed algorithms.
The final results of this project will be implemented as software packages that will improve and simplify the analysis of mutational signatures for the broad community of researchers and other practitioners. This will help to effectively use costly sequencing data and thus enable discoveries and therapeutic decisions that would otherwise be impossible.
Requirements
- We are looking for applications from outstanding candidates who hold a PhD degree in Biostatistics or a related field
- The applicants should have strong analytical skills, experience with genomics and mutational signatures, extensive programming experience (Python in particular), commitment to open and reproducible research practices, and good communication skills (including fluency in English)
- The applicants should be able to work independently as well as in a team, have critical thinking, good organizational skills, and a deep passion for research
We offer
- We offer a fixed-term contract (100%) for 18 months with the possibility of an extension. Part-time arrangements (possibly for a longer duration) can be considered to support candidates with family or other obligations
- The salary follows the Swiss National Science Foundation standards
- Employment start is determined upon mutual agreement
- This position will give you the possibility to work in an attractive and friendly international working environment and an opportunity to actively develop a project with clinical applications in connection with Inselspital, Bern University Hospital
- Our contacts with the International Cancer Genome Consortium provide further opportunities for collaborations
- The University of Bern offers an excellent academic environment with several groups working on related problems, seminars, workshops, and networking opportunities
Application and contact
Dr. Matúš Medo, matus.medo@unibe.ch
Your application should include:
Please send your application as a single PDF file to Dr. Matúš Medo, matus.medo@unibe.ch. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
- motivation letter
- CV
- list of publications (including "under review")
- short description of two key publications (or other research contributions) and your role in developing them
- copies of grades and diplomas
- contact details for a person who can provide a reference letter
Please send your application as a single PDF file to Dr. Matúš Medo, matus.medo@unibe.ch. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.
