Postdoc in bioinformatics of host-pathogen interaction at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology

We are looking for a bioinformatics postdoc fellow for a 2-year position to commence on February 1, 2025 or after agreement to analyse omics data from human tissue samples in the Bacterial Infection Biology group at the Costerton Biofilm Center.

Information on the department can be found at: https://isim.ku.dk/, https://biofilm.ku.dk/research_cbc/bacterial-infection-biology/

Our research
The PostDoc fellowship will be carried out in the Bacterial Infection Biology (BIB) group at Costerton Biofilm Center. The BIB group offers a well-established platform for studying biofilm infections. We focus on the establishment of infecting biofilms, the cross-link between the host and infecting bacteria to improve diagnostics and treatment. The group conducts both basic and applied research on the molecular level as well as on a broader scale. The group consists of a broad variety of researchers with close collaboration to clinical departments. The position will be at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, which is part of the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (SUND). In the group we organize ourselves around smaller teams with common goals and have an inclusive atmosphere. We encourage diversity across all parameters.

Your job
The postdoc position is part of a project funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation ‘Persistent Bacterial Infections (PERFECTION)’. The project involves collaboration between UCPH, DTU and Stanford University. Persistent bacterial infections are a serious global health problem, affecting a broad range of people with diabetes, obesity, smokers, immune-compromised conditions, implants etc. In the clinic, the number of patients with persistent infections is growing. We strive for generating knowledge of host-microbe interaction profiles in chronic wounds. In the project, wound samples collected from patients will be used for studying microbial and tissue transcriptomic profiles.

You should have the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team. You are expected to analyse sequencing data using state-of-the-art bioinformatics methods. Intergrade data from wet lab studies with genomic, proteomic and transcriptomic data. Besides data analysis your tasks will also include interpretation of the results and dissemination through presentations and preparation of manuscripts. We aim to answer basic biological questions about host-pathogen interactions as well as to identify potential infection biomarkers to improve diagnostics and/or treatment strategies. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with researchers working on patient sample collection and translational in vitro models.

Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic scientist with the following competencies and experience:

Essential experience and skills:

• You have a PhD in Biology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, Data Science or another relevant research field.
• You are highly experienced in analysis of bulk or single cell omics datasets.
• Experience using bioinformatics software.
• Experience in programming (Python/R).
• You have some working knowledge in molecular biology an active interest in biology/microbiology.
• You have an excellent scientific track record in relation to career stage.
• Proficient with communicating science to people from different fields.
• Proficient communication skills and ability to work in teams.
• Excellent English skills written and spoken.

Desirable experience and skills:

• You have knowledge on machine learning.
• Practical experience in a microbiology laboratory is a benefit, but not a specific criterion.

Place of employment
The place of employment is at the Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen. We offer creative and stimulating working conditions in dynamic and international research environment. Our research facilities include modern laboratories and microbiological studies.

Terms of employment
The average weekly working hours are 37 hours per week.

The position is a fixed-term position limited to a period of 2 years. The starting date is February 1, 2025 or after agreement.

Salary, pension and other conditions of employment are set in accordance with the Agreement between the Ministry of Taxation and AC (Danish Confederation of Professional Associations) or other relevant organisation. Currently, the monthly salary starts at 38,500 DKK/approx. 5,100 EUR (April 2024 level). Depending on qualifications, a supplement may be negotiated. The employer will pay an additional 17.1 % to your pension fund.

Foreign and Danish applicants may be eligible for tax reductions, if they hold a PhD degree and have not lived in Denmark the last 10 years.

The position is covered by the Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities 2020.

Questions
For further information please contact Professor Thomas Bjarnsholt, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, E-mail: [email protected]]; www.sund.ku.dk
Foreign applicants may find this link useful: www.ism.ku.dk (International Staff Mobility).

Application procedure
Your online application must be submitted in English by clicking ‘Apply now’ below. Furthermore, your application must include the following documents/attachments – all in PDF format:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
• CV incl. education, work/research experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
• A certified/signed copy of a) PhD certificate and b) Master of Science certificate. If the PhD is not completed, a written statement from the supervisor will do.
• List of publications.

Deadline for applications: Sunday 3 November 2024, 23.59pm CET
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process
After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the hiring committee. All applicants are then immediately notified whether their application has been passed for assessment by an unbiased assessor. Once the assessment work has been completed each applicant has the opportunity to comment on the part of the assessment that relates to the applicant him/herself.

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

The applicant will be assessed according to the Ministerial Order no. 242 of 13 March 2012 on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities.

Interviews are expected to be held in week 48 / 49

The University of Copenhagen wish to reflect the diversity of society and encourage all qualified candidates to apply regardless of personal background.

Københavns Universitet giver sine knap 10.000 medarbejdere muligheder for at udnytte deres talent fuldt ud i et ambitiøst, uformelt miljø. Vi sikrer traditionsrige og moderne rammer om uddannelser og fri forskning på højt internationalt niveau. Vi søger svar og løsninger på fælles problemer og gør ny viden tilgængelig og nyttig for andre.

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 03-11-2024

Ansættelsesdato: 01-02-2025

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department for Immunology and Microbiology