PhD Studentship in Statistical Machine Learning and 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 (previously Helsinki University of Technology,
http://ics.tkk.fi/en/)

Aalto University School of Science invites applications for a
doctoral student / research assistant
position for a fixed term starting 1 October 2011.

The position is located in the Department of Information and Computer
Science and Helsinki Institute for Information Technology HIIT
Statistical Machine Learning and Bioinformatics research group at the
Aalto School of Science. The focus of the Department’s research and
teaching activity is on advanced computational methods for modelling,
analysing, and solving complex tasks in technology and science. The
research aims at the development of fundamental computer science
methods for the analysis of large and high-dimensional data sets, and
for the modelling and design of complex software, networking and other
computational systems. The department employs approximately 150 people
and operates with a total annual budget of approximately 9 MEUR. The
department hosts two national Centres of Excellence and was ranked
among the top two departments of Aalto University in the Research
Assessment Exercise 2009.

The doctoral student will develop novel probabilistic modelling and
statistical inference methodology and apply these methods to problems
in computational systems biology. The position is related to the
inter-disciplinary European project on Systems approaches to gene
regulation biology through nuclear receptors (SYNERGY), which has been
funded under the ERASysBio+ initiative. The work will take place in
the group of Dr Antti Honkela but it will involve close collaboration
with other project partners, especially Profs. Magnus Rattray and Neil
D. Lawrence (University of Sheffield, UK).

A successful applicant must have a MSc degree in computer science,
electrical engineering, mathematics, physics, or a related field. It
is also possible to start as a research assistant working on one’s
Master’s thesis. A strong mathematical background and an interest in
Bayesian modeling and/or machine learning are necessary. An interest
in computational biology is essential but no prior experience is
necessary.

The application deadline is 13 September 2011.
For more details and application instructions, see
http://www.aalto.fi/en/current/jobs/teaching_and_research/doctoral_student/