Early stage researcher position open in ENLIGHT-TEN consortium at Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Finland
Description of recruiting organization
University of Turku (http://www.utu.fi/en/) is a leading Finnish university with internationally acknowledged research and expertise. It promotes interdisciplinary research and provides students with high-quality research-based education. Turku Centre for Biotechnology (http://www.btk.fi/) is a joint department of University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, providing high-end technologies and expertise to academic and industrial researchers with focus on discovering molecular events underlying biological function and identifying how this information can be used to improve life quality.
The Computational Biomedicine Group of Prof. Laura Elo, Research Director in Bioinformatics, develops computational data analysis tools and mathematical modelling methods for biomedical research (http://www.btk.fi/research/research-groups/elo/). A specific focus is on analysing and interpreting data generated by modern high-throughput biotechnologies, such as deep sequencing and mass-spectrometry-based proteomic assays. The eventual goal is to improve the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of complex diseases, with a specific biomedical focus on Type 1 Diabetes.
A PhD position is open as part of the European Network Linking Informatics and Genomics of Helper T cells (ENLIGHT-TEN) consortium, which is a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN-ETN) funded in the framework of the HORIZON 2020 program. The mission of ENLIGHT-TEN is to provide cross-disciplinary training in T cell immunology and big data analysis in order to train a new generation of researchers to exploit the power of emerging technological platforms.
ENLIGHT-TEN has developed a cross-disciplinary, high-quality educational program to provide all its PhD students with specialist high-level research training, a broad scientific skill set and experience in both academic and industrial working environments. In addition to excellent research skills, our training program will also offer training in team-leading abilities, project management and entrepreneurship to supplement and complement the university-based PhD education.
ENLIGHT-TEN consists of ten beneficiaries and six partners from eight European countries, bringing a balanced portfolio of expertise bridging in-depth knowledge of T cell differentiation and pathophysiology of autoimmune and allergic diseases, through to bioinformatic analysis of large data sets. This strong network of academic and industrial partners ensures that ENLIGHT-TEN's early stage researchers will be extremely well placed to successfully compete for academic or industrial life science-related positions, and to drive research and innovation within the European Research Area.
Description of the position to fill
The PhD student will perform his/her main research activity in the Computational Biomedicine Group at Turku Centre for Biotechnology, Turku, Finland. In the same time he/she will be highly connected with the ENLIGHT-TEN consortium. As part of the program, the student will attend summer schools on relevant topics and annual scientific meetings of the consortium. The PhD student will also spend few months in three other labs of the consortium to learn new tools and technologies. The planned visits include Qiagen (Aarhus, Denmark), EMBL-EBI (Cambridge, UK), and Bayer Pharma AG (Wuppertal, Germany).
The objective of the work is to develop data-driven computational methods to robustly characterize T cell-related molecular signatures and networks at multiple levels and use the signatures to predict health and disease states. A successful candidate has solid background in bioinformatics and computational biology, good expertise in statistical and bioinformatics techniques and software, and abilities to work in a multidisciplinary research environment.
Starting date is between December 2015 and March 2016.
Candidate profile
We are looking for a highly motivated, promising young scientist with a strong computational background. Excellent communication skills in English, both oral and written, are required. Independence and self-driven attitude are highly appreciated, but the candidate should be able to work as part of a team as well.
Eligibility criteria
The candidate holds a master degree in Bioinformatics, Biomathematics, Biostatistics or related disciplines, has received the master degree < 4 years before the date of appointment, or will receive this before the appointment date. He/she has not been awarded a PhD degree. The candidate can be of any nationality, but did not reside or carry out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Finland for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately prior to the appointment date.
Salary
Salary is based on EC Marie Skłodowska-Curie rates. The monthly gross salary includes the Marie Curie Living Allowance of 3110 € adjusted through the application of the host country correction coefficient, the Marie Curie Mobility Allowance of 600 €, and the Marie Curie Family Allowance of 500 € (if applicable). The gross salary may be subjected to tax according to applicable national regulations. Positions are aimed at being full-time.
The position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found but no later than 13th of November. The application including motivation letter, CV, recommendation letters, copies of degree certificates and study transcript should be sent in one PDF-file to johanna.makela@utu.fi. Please include "ESR12 application" as subject in the email.
For more information about the ENLIGHT-TEN consortium, please see http://www.enlight-ten.eu/. Questions related to the position can be directed to Research coordinator Johanna Mäkelä, johanna.makela@utu.fi.
