Postdoc researcher in Bioinformatics/Biostatistics (18-24 months): High Dimensional Integrated Unsupervised and Supervised Analysis of Single Cell RNASeq Data

The data science institute in Hasselt University announces a position for a (m/f/x):

Postdoc researcher in Bioinformatics/Biostatistics (18-24 months): High Dimensional Integrated Unsupervised and Supervised Analysis of Single Cell RNASeq Data

General information about the project 

The postdoc research project will be conducted in a close collaboration between the data science institute (DSI, https://www.uhasselt.be/en/instituten-en/dsi) in Hasselt University and a global pharmaceutical company. The main objective of the postdoc research project is to analyze single cell omics data for immune profiling purposes applied to vaccinology. The project is focused on algorithm/procedures/software testing and development using publicly and in house available dataset with application on real vaccine development . Both parts will be based on single cell omics data generated on Chromium 10X Genomics platform. Data analysis tools and software products that will be developed in this project would be available as R or Python packages with full documentation.

Project  description

The research project consists of two main tasks:

Task 1 - Unsupervised analysis:

1)      To identify the best numerical embedding methods for TCR/BCR protein sequences in order to merge this feature with other OMICs layers.

2)      To identify methods for single omics and multi-omics clustering (gene expression, individual TCR sequences, surface proteins) that can better approximate antigen-specificity.

Task 2 - Supervised analysis:

Based on the results obtained in part 1, we will define which of the identified features may be predictive of antigen specificity and cross-reactivity.

Data analysis methods: cluster analysis for single cell RNAseq data (for both single and multi-omics setting) , biclustering, classification and prediction.

Profile and diploma

As a postdoc researcher you will join the dynamic functional genomics team in the data science institute (DSI) in UHasselt and will collaborate with scientists from both academia and industry. The research work related to both tasks will be conducted in a close collaboration between DSI and the pharmaceutical company and the postdoc researcher will work in both organizations.

 A successful candidate should have

• PhD in bioinformatics/ statistical bioinformatics/biostatistics (with experience of high dimensional data).
• A PhD whose research  focuses on single cell analysis is an advantage but not a must.
• A PhD whose research is on AI/ML methodologies for unsupervised and supervised HD data analysis is a plus.
• You are acquainted with statistical methodologies and had exposure to computer programming in R/Python.
• You published manuscripts in the area of bioinformatics/biostatistics.
• You developed software package(s) as a part of your PhD research.
• You are interested in developing new methodology from both theoretical and applied aspects.
• You are interested in developing software to the pipeline for  data analysis and implement this software within a company environment.
• You are willing to closely collaborate with biologists/biostatistians/bioinformations from the pharmaceutical industry.
• You have a strong interest in working on both vaccine and drug development problems.
• You can work independently and within a team.
• You have excellent communication skills.
• You can lead a team of researchers within a project.
• You enjoy working in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment.
• You speak and write English fluently.

Offer
The appointment takes effect during the fourth quarter of 2024 for a period of 18-24 months, depending on the candidate experience.

Further information

Prof. dr. Ziv Shkedy, +32 11-26 82 40, ziv.shkedy@uhasselt.be

Application
Applicants must send their application to , ziv.shkedy@uhasselt.be

Deadline for the Application 15, May, 2024