PhD student (f/m/d) on Deep Learning for Virus and Host Genomics

Organization unit: CASUS

Place of work/ Working hours: Görlitz 19,5 h/week

Hire date: 1 October 2023

Limitation: 30 September 2026

For any questions, do not hesitate to ask: Dr. Artur Yakimovich

Deadline: 4 October 2023

Online application English / German Job-Id: 2023/154 (1739)

At HZDR, we promote and value diversity among our employees. We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds regardless of gender, ethnic and social origin, belief, disability, age, and sexual orientation. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability.

Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf Bautzner Landstraße 400 01328 Dresden

PhD student (f/m/d) on Deep Learning for Virus and Host Genomics

Through cutting-edge research in the fields of ENERGY, HEALTH and MATTER, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) solves some of the pressing societal and industrial challenges of our time. Join our 1.500 employees from more than 70 nations at one of our six research sites!

The Center for Advanced Systems Understanding (CASUS) is a German-Polish research center for data-intensive digital systems research. CASUS was founded in 2019 in Görlitz and conducts digital interdisciplinary systems research in various fields such as earth systems research, systems biology and materials research.

CASUS is looking for a PhD student (f/m/d) on Deep Learning for Virus and Host Genomics.

The Scope of Your Job:

The global SARS-CoV2 Pandemic has demonstrated the urgency to develop new tools for our arsenal against pathogens and human disease. If you are passionate about designing the next generation of genomic algorithms for host- pathogen interactions – we are looking for your talent!

Natural Language Processing has substantially improved deep learning of language and our understanding of linguistics due to unprecedented possibilities for text analysis. In a collaboration between the TU Dresden and CASUS, we use transformer-based deep learning algorithms that treat genomes as text. The project will encompass using deep learning to understand the phylogeny of SARS-CoV-2 and Mpox (monkeypox). Furthermore, the project will involve the analysis of genome-wide siRNA screening data to decipher unknown host-pathogen interactions.

Your tasks:

Design of deep learning tasks to interrogate questions of genome biology

Devise novel approaches to incorporate Biology-informed knowledge into the model architecture

Engage with our international collaborators (Dresden, London, Zurich, Taipei etc.) to understand existing approaches and datasets

Collaborate with the research team on other questions of machine learning, functional genomics, genome instability

Supervise junior lab members

Present results and publish high-impact peer-reviewed research

Your profile:

Master or Diploma in a relevant field, such as Molecular Biology, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Genetics, Computer Science, Mathematics, Linguistics or equivalent scientific background

A solid background in biology, mathematics, software engineering, machine learning or in a related subject

Excellent programming skills in languages such as Python

Familiarity with modern deep learning frameworks like Tensorflow 2.x.x, PyTorch

Previous experience or interest in Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, Natural Language Processing, Deep Learning, Git version control and Slurm cluster environments is a plus

Strong motivation to work in a collaborative environment

Excellent communication skills in English and in a professional context (presentation of research results at scientific meetings, colloquial discussions, writing of manuscripts)

Our offer:

A vibrant research community in an open, diverse and international work environment

Scientific excellence and extensive professional networking opportunities

A structured PhD program with a comprehensive range of continuing education and networking opportunities - more information about the PhD program at the HZDR can be found here

Salary and social benefits in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector (TVöD-Bund) including 30 days of paid holiday leave, company pension scheme (VBL)

We support a good work-life balance with the possibility of part-time employment, mobile working and flexible working hours

Numerous company health management offerings

Employee discounts with well-known providers via the platform Corporate Benefits

An employer subsidy for the "Deutschland-Ticket Jobticket"

Kindly submit your completed application (including cover letter, CV, diplomas/transcripts, etc.) only via our Online-application-system.

Apply here Jetzt bewerben

Contact

Team Recruiting Email: [email protected]

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