PhD Positions in Computational Biology at ETH Zurich

PhD Positions in Computational Biology at ETH Zurich
Employer: Computational Biology Group, ETH Zurich
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Expires: October 30, 2009

Description:

Two PhD positions are available in the Computational Biology Group at the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering of ETH Zurich in Basel. Our group is engaged in developing mathematical models and efficient algorithms for complex biosystems. We are particularly interested in disease-associated cellular networks and evolutionary dynamics, including genetic and epigenetic variation in cancer and infectious diseases. We seek two PhD students for the following research projects:

1) Analysis of deep sequencing data:

Development and application of statistical models and efficient algorithms for analyzing high-throughput next-generation sequencing data; haplotype inference of mixed virus and tumor samples; human SNP analysis in association studies; RNA-seq and ChIP-seq.

2) Reconstruction of cellular networks from perturbation data:

Probabilistic network reconstruction from RNAi data in the framework of graphical models; experimental design of RNAi screens; network analysis and comparison.

Successful applicants have a strong background in computational biology, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, or a related field, and exposure to modeling biological systems. Candidates are expected to engage in interdisciplinary research groups and to foster collaborations with biologists and bioengineers.

The Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering of ETH Zurich is an integral part of SystemX.ch, the Swiss initiative in Systems Biology. It is located in Basel, a European hot-spot for biomedical research, in close proximity of the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. ETH Zurich is a major research university, offering an excellent environment for innovative and collaborative research across disciplines.

To apply:

Please send the usual application material, including at least two references, as a single PDF file to niko.beerenwinkel@bsse.ethz.ch (preferred), or via surface mail to:

Prof. Dr. Niko Beerenwinkel

ETH Zurich
Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering
Computational Biology Group
Mattenstrasse 26
CH-4058 Basel
Switzerland

PhD Positions in Computational Biology at ETH Zurich

PhD Positions in Computational Biology at ETH Zurich
Employer: Computational Biology Group, ETH Zurich
Location: Basel, Switzerland
Expires: October 30, 2009

Description:

Two PhD positions are available in the Computational Biology Group at the Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering of ETH Zurich in Basel. Our group is engaged in developing mathematical models and efficient algorithms for complex biosystems. We are particularly interested in disease-associated cellular networks and evolutionary dynamics, including genetic and epigenetic variation in cancer and infectious diseases. We seek two PhD students for the following research projects:

1) Analysis of deep sequencing data:

Development and application of statistical models and efficient algorithms for analyzing high-throughput next-generation sequencing data; haplotype inference of mixed virus and tumor samples; human SNP analysis in association studies; RNA-seq and ChIP-seq.

2) Reconstruction of cellular networks from perturbation data:

Probabilistic network reconstruction from RNAi data in the framework of graphical models; experimental design of RNAi screens; network analysis and comparison.

Successful applicants have a strong background in computational biology, mathematics, computer science, statistics, physics, or a related field, and exposure to modeling biological systems. Candidates are expected to engage in interdisciplinary research groups and to foster collaborations with biologists and bioengineers.

The Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering of ETH Zurich is an integral part of SystemX.ch, the Swiss initiative in Systems Biology. It is located in Basel, a European hot-spot for biomedical research, in close proximity of the Biozentrum of the University of Basel, the Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industry. ETH Zurich is a major research university, offering an excellent environment for innovative and collaborative research across disciplines.

To apply:

Please send the usual application material, including at least two references, as a single PDF file to niko.beerenwinkel@bsse.ethz.ch (preferred), or via surface mail to:

Prof. Dr. Niko Beerenwinkel

ETH Zurich
Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering
Computational Biology Group
Mattenstrasse 26
CH-4058 Basel
Switzerland

PhD Studentships in Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Pharmacy, Optometry and Psychology.

PhD Studentships
School of Life & Health Sciences

PhD Studentships for home/EU/internation al overseas students with bursaries available against fees.

Projects are available in research groups allied to Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Pharmacy, Optometry and Psychology.

Applications are invited for three year Research Studentships to be undertaken in the School of Life and Health Sciences at Aston University to start in July or October 2009.

The School of Life and Health Sciences is equipped with state-of-the- art facilities to pursue cutting-edge research. In the 2008 RAE, 85% of the research in the School of Life and Health Sciences was ranked as being of international quality, and the School was ranked 3rd out of 61 UK University submissions to Allied Health Professions and Studies for quality and volume of research. The School currently has a research income of about £8m, with approximately 70 research students, (part time and full-time), who are registered in the School each year.

Project Details
Projects can be viewed by research topic and research supervisor at (http://www1. aston.ac. uk/lhs/research/ pgresopportuniti es/projectsforho me-eu-intstudent s/).

Financial Support
The projects are available to students meeting the University and School academic entry requirements and bursaries for international students will be awarded competitively on merit. The bursaries for international students will cover payment of £10,000 against the international fee and for home/EU students will cover payment of £3,000 against the home/EU student fee.

Application Requirements

• Applicants should have or expect a good honours degree (either first class or upper second class) or hold an MSc in a relevant discipline.

• If you are an EU/IOS Applicant, the English Language Requirements are a minimum score of 620 (250 minimum in computer test) in TOEFL OR IELTS with minimum marks of 6.0 in each section and an overall band of 6.5.

• The studentships are for 3 years, subject to a satisfactory progress review at the end of the first year, and are available for July 1st and October 1st 2009 registration.

• For an application form please visit: http://www1. lhs.aston. ac.uk/pabs/ pgprojects/ application% 20form.pdf

• Closing Date: Monday, 13th May 2009 for July entry or August 12th for October entry

• For informal enquiries or to return completed applications forms, please contact the Research Office, Room MB560, School of Life and Health Sciences, Aston University, Aston Triangle, Birmingham, B4 7ET; email j.a.taylor@aston. ac.uk: +44 (0)121 204 4019).

Reference: R090077

PhD position in Experimental Evolutionary Biology

PhD position in Experimental Evolutionary Biology

Application deadline: 25.April 2009

Project description:
Most organisms reproduce sexually, despite high costs associated with
this reproductive mode. In the last decades several theories have been
proposed to resolve this “paradox of sex”. A particularly tough
challenge to such theories are organisms that give rise to obligate
asexual lineages, because such organisms should face the constant danger
of being replaced by their asexual descendants. This project focuses on
obligate asexual lineages within monogonont rotifers.

The PhD project aims at analysing the population level consequences of
obligate asexuality in the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. It is mainly
concerned with the speed of adaptation in sexual vs. obligate asexual
populations. The project relies on lab experiments at the individual and
population level. Further techniques used/learned during this project
include: microsatellite analysis, cryopreservation, as well as several
technical skills involved in our automated culture systems, including
computer programming.

The PhD project is embedded into complementary research themes of the
working group, e.g. determining the genetic mechanism of obligate
asexuality, or establishing the prevalence of OA in field populations.
Further information on the lab can be found at
http://www.oeaw.ac.at/limno/personnel/stelzer/stelzer.htm

The project is supervised by Dr. Claus-Peter Stelzer at the Institute
for Limnology in Mondsee (near Salzburg, Austria) and funded by the FWF
for 3 years (Project P20735-B17). Salary is according to the FWF pay
scale (http://www.fwf.ac.at/de/projects/personalkostensaetze_2008.html).

Applicants should be highly motivated and have a Master’s or diploma
degree in biology, or in a related field. A solid background in
evolutionary biology is essential for this position, and this should be
recognizable by the Masters thesis and/or documented by several courses
during the studies. Experiences in experimental design, statistics and
PCR-based molecular genetic methods are also advantageous, but not
absolutely required.

The Institute for Limnology is located in Mondsee, a small town in the
Salzkammergut lake area. Mondsee is 30 km east of the City of Salzburg,
which is also the location of the nearest university. The Institute has
a staff complement of approximately 25, including 10 research
scientists, who work on various areas in ecophysiology and evolutionary
ecology of aquatic organisms.

Applicants should send a cover letter summarizing their research
background and interest in the position, a CV, and contact information
for two referees