Postdoctoral fellow – Saez-Rodriguez Group Full-time NEW

The Saez-Rodriguez Research Group

The goal of the Saez Rodriguez group is to acquire a functional understanding of the deregulation of signalling networks in disease and to apply this knowledge to develop novel therapeutics. We focus on cancer, auto-immune and fibrotic disease. Towards this goal, we integrate big (‘Omics’) data with mechanistic molecular knowledge into statistical and machine learning methods, and we share our tools as free open-source packages.

Your Role

As a postdoctoral fellow in the Saez Rodriguez group, you will develop and apply computational methods and tools, leveraging advanced statistics and machine learning to extract disease mechanisms from single-cell and spatially resolved multi-omics data. You will work within an international and interdisciplinary group of scientists to better understand and treat diseases (for more information visit www.saezlab.org).

This position, funded by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, involves close collaboration with the group of Yvan Saeys at VIB/Ghent University. Together, you will develop computational approaches to study intra- and intercellular communication, building on their tool NicheNet and our framework LIANA+. You will design novel modeling strategies that integrate prior knowledge, and implement them in robust, open-source software packages following best practices.

EMBL-EBI is part of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and it is a world-leading bioinformatics centre providing biological data to the scientific community with expertise in data storage, analysis and representation. EMBL-EBI provides freely available data from life science experiments, performs basic research in computational biology and offers an extensive user training programme, supporting researchers in academic and industry.

You will:

· Develop and apply computational methods and tools to extract disease mechanisms from single-cell and spatially resolved multi-omics data

· Drive your own research within the laboratory, working closely with the group leader and other collaborators, while also demonstrating creativity and initiative to develop novel approaches and research questions

· Continually update knowledge and understanding in the field and translate this knowledge of advances in the subject area into research activity

· Write up research work for presentation and publication

· Identify opportunities for additional funding and contribute to or prepare proposals and applications to external bodies

· Communicate material of a specialist or highly technical nature clearly to the group, institute and at scientific conferences

· Contribute to the smooth running of the research group, assist in supervision of junior lab members and communicate openly about results

Essential Skills & Experience:

· PhD in statistics, mathematics, physics, bioinformatics, computer science or a related field

· Expertise in statistical methods and modelling

· Strong analytical and programming skills (preferably in R and/or python)

· Presented research findings both internally and at international meetings

· Demonstrated ability to publish research in international peer reviewed journals

· Proven ability to develop computational methods with applications in biology

· Excellent communication skills, verbal and written

· Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively with other group members and external collaborators

· Ability to manage own workload and meet deadlines

Desirable Skills & Experience:

· Experience in single cell omics/multiomics is also desirable

Benefits and Contract Information
– Financial incentives: depending on circumstances, monthly family/marriage allowance of £278, monthly child allowance of £336 per child. Generous stipend reviewed yearly, pension scheme, death benefit, long-term care, accident-at-work and unemployment insurances

– Hybrid working arrangements

– Private medical insurance for you and your immediate family (including all prescriptions and generous dental & optical cover)

– Generous time off: 30 days annual leave per year, in addition to eight bank holidays

– Relocation package

– Campus life: Free shuttle bus to and from work, on-site library, subsidised on-site gym and cafeteria, casual dress code, extensive sports and social club activities (on campus and remotely)

– Family benefits: On-site nursery, child sick leave, generous parental leave, holiday clubs on campus and monthly family and child allowances

– Contract duration: This position is a 2 year fixed term contract contract with the possibility for an extension

– Salary: UK Equivalent £3383 (Total package will be dependant on family circumstances)

– International applicants: We recruit internationally and successful candidates are offered visa exemptions. Read more on our page for international applicants.

– Diversity and inclusion: At EMBL-EBI, we strongly believe that inclusive and diverse teams benefit from higher levels of innovation and creative thought. We encourage applications from women, LGBTQ+ and individuals from all nationalities.

– Job location: This role is based in Hinxton, near Cambridge, UK. You will be required to relocate if you are based overseas and you will receive a generous relocation package to support you.

– DORA – EMBL is a signatory of DORA and is committed to hiring and training outstanding research, service, and administrative personnel.

Tagged as: Life Sciences