PhD Studentship in Computational Systems Biology (Helsinki, Finland)

PhD studentship in developing novel probabilistic modelling and
statistical inference methodology and applying these methods to
problems in computational systems biology

Department of Information and Computer Science, Aalto University
School of Science and Technology (formerly Helsinki University of
Technology; http://ics.tkk.fi/en/)

The post is funded as part of a large inter-disciplinary European
consortium project on systems approaches to gene regulation biology
through nuclear receptors (SYNERGY) which has been funded under the
ERASysBio+ initiative. The work will involve close collaboration with
other project partners, especially profs. Magnus Rattray and Neil
D. Lawrence (University of Sheffield, UK).

In the project, experimental project partners from Germany and
the Netherlands will generate high-dimensional and multi-modal
time-series datasets interrogating the transcriptional response to
nuclear receptor activation, using an array of next-generation
sequencing experiments. The data will be used to infer and
parameterize systems biology models of cellular function. An iterative
process of model inference and experiment will be used to uncover the
cellular mechanisms of nuclear receptor function and dysfunction. The
methodology developed in the project will build on recent work
integrating probabilistic modelling with systems biology modelling
[e.g. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 107(17), 7793 (2010)].

Candidates must have an MSc degree in computer science, electrical
engineering, mathematics, physics, or a related field. A strong
mathematical background and an interest in Bayesian modeling and/or
machine learning. An interest in systems biology is essential but no
prior experience is necessary.

As a PhD student you will join a vibrant research community in the
capital of Finland, characterized by a high quality of life and the
close proximity of nature. The funding is available initially for
three years, with a gross monthly salary ranging from 2000 to 3300
Euro, depending on qualifications and performance. The position will
start on 1 August 2010 or flexibly thereafter. The language of
instruction is English.

For more details and application instructions, see
http://users.ics.tkk.fi/ahonkela/phd_position_2010.shtml