PhD student positions in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Biology

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section for Plant Biochemistry, invites applicants for several PhD fellowships within the topics of using computational biology and artificial intelligence to understand gene function in plants. The aim is to use recent advances in machine learning, large language models and the generation of high-throughput data to gain new insights into how plant genes function and are regulated spatiotemporally.

The projects are part of the Starting Grant package awarded to Assoc. Prof. Marek Mutwil, which is financed by The Novo Nordisk Foundation.

Start date is 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The projects
Please take a look at the Abiotic stress (https://publish.obsidian.md/mutwillab/Homepage/Our+research/Abiotic+stress) Bioinformatics (https://publish.obsidian.md/mutwillab/Homepage/Our+research/Bioinformatics) Evolution (https://publish.obsidian.md/mutwillab/Homepage/Our+research/Evolution) and Specialized metabolism (https://publish.obsidian.md/mutwillab/Homepage/Our+research/Specialized+metabolism) sections to identify topics that interest you. Currently, we only have positions open for computational biologists, so proficiency in Python/R or a burning desire to learn this is a must.

Who are we looking for?
* You have a master's degree in molecular biology, biochemistry (or related) and keen interest in programming, algorithm development, mathematics, complexity, and puzzles;

* Or, master’s degree in mathematics, physics, bioinformatics (or related) and are interested to learn plant cultivation methods;

* You have strong analytical and problem-solving skills;

* You have experience with programming (preferred Python), or high interest to learn it;

* You are proficient in spoken and written English, have excellent communication and writing skills and are interested in working in a highly interdisciplinary team of experimentalists, theorists, and computational scientists;

* You are independent, creative and have team spirit.

Principal supervisor will be Associate Professor, Marek Mutwil, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, email: [email protected].

Responsibilities
* Achieve key performance indicators of the research project

* Become proficient in the technical skills and knowledge required to complete the project

* Design and implement the bioinformatics analyses

* Supervise and train research staff and undergraduate students

* Participate in writing research proposals

* Regularly communicate research progress

* Present data on regular group meetings

* Present results on external conferences and meetings

* Take lead in writing manuscripts

Why Mutwil lab, PLEN, University of Copenhagen and Denmark?
Mutwil lab is focusing on using computational biology, machine learning, artificial intelligence and big data from biology to answer a multitude of questions pertaining gene function prediction, how plants cope with environmental stress, how they synthesize valuable chemicals and how they evolve. Thus, our lab addresses some of the most pertinent challenges (stress resilience, synthetic biology, crop engineering) and employs cross-disciplinary methods to acheive these aims.

The Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences (PLEN) at the University of Copenhagen focuses on plants, animals, soil and microorganisms – from molecules through organisms to populations and anthropogenic ecosystems. With >100 professors and >700 employees working on diverse topics, it is a vibrant and one of the largest departments in Denmark.

The University of Copenhagen is a research-led university which provides research and education of the highest international standards. With over 40,000 students and more than 9,000 employees, the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) is one of the largest institutions of research and education in the Nordic countries. According to QS World University Rankings® 2016, UCPH is the highest ranked university in the Nordic region and number 20 in Europe.

According to Forbes, Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, is officially the best city in the world for a healthy balance between personal life and work. Data shows that Copenhagen ranks highly on various lifestyle related factors, including second in the World Happiness Index and first for gender equality according to the Gender Inequality Index.

The PhD programme
A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics, physics, bioinformatics. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.

Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

We are looking for the following qualifications:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in computational biology and artificial intelligence
• Good language skills

Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.

Please include:

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Publication list (if possible)
• Reference letters (if available)

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 deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

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.

Kontakt
Marek Mutwil
E-mail: [email protected]

Info
Ansøgningsfrist: 25-10-2024

Ansættelsesdato: 01-02-2025

Arbejdstid: Fuldtid

Afdeling/Sted: Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences