[Socbin] Postdoc position in biomodeling at NISB and CWI

[Roeland Merks]

The Netherlands Institute for Systems Biology (NISB) and Centrum  
Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) invite applications for the position of a

Postdoc (two years, with possibility for extension): Computational  
modeling of structural genomic variation in hierarchically-regulated  
gene networks

The opening is a research position within the field of computational  
biology

Research background

Structural variation of the genome, including translocation of DNA  
chunks across chromosomes, inversions, and deletions can have enormous  
impact on gene expression and consequently on cell function.  
Hierarchical regulation mechanisms, including conditional DNA folding  
and nuclear lamina interactions, can switch gene clusters between a  
state rendering the genes inaccessible to transcription and a  
“permissive” state in which gene transcription is possible.

The consequences of hierarchical network organization for the dynamics  
and evolution of gene networks are poorly understood. The project will  
develop computational and mathematical modeling approaches to explore  
the effects that structural genomic variation can have on gene  
expression in hierarchically-structured gene networks at single- 
organism and evolutionary time scales.


Job description

The postdoc will develop and analyze theoretical, evolutionary models  
of hierarchical gene network regulation using discrete and/or  
continuous modeling approaches. Model insights and predictions based  
on artificial and actual regulatory networks will be interpreted in  
close collaboration with two functional genomics groups that  
participate in the NCSB: the Edwin Cuppen group at the Hubrecht  
laboratory, Utrecht and the Lodewyk Wessels group at the Netherlands  
Cancer Institute in Amsterdam.


Location

The work will be embedded in the Biomodeling and Biosystems Analysis  
group of the Netherlands Institute for Systems Biology (NISB; www.sysbio.nl 
) and within the Life Sciences group of the Center for Mathematics and  
Computer Science (CWI) in Amsterdam. As the “core modeling group” of  
the Netherlands Consortium for Systems Biology, the Biomodeling and  
Biosystems Analysis group develops  quantitative and predictive models  
and multiscale computer simulations in collaboration with systems  
biology groups at participating institutes.


Profile

Candidates ideally fulfill the following criteria:

-       Ph.D. theoretical biology, computer science, mathematics or a  
related discipline
-       able to communicate with scientists in biology and mathematics
-       good programming skills in C++ or equivalent



Conditions of employment

The vacancy concerns a temporary research position for two years, with  
possibility of extension. The salary and terms of employment are in  
accordance with the "CAO-onderzoekinstellingen" and are based on  
qualifications. Besides the salary and excellent working conditions,  
CWI offers attractive and flexible terms of employment, like a  
collective health insurance, pension-fund, and initial help with  
housing for foreigners. The position is at postdoc level for 38 hrs/ 
week.

Websites
http://www.sysbio.nl and http://www.cwi.nl

Applications and requests for information

Direct requests for information or applications before 1 December 2008  
to:

Dr. Roeland Merks, Roeland.Merks at sysbio.nl
phone +31 20 592 4117, skype: roelandmerks
Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) and Netherlands Institute for  
Systems Biology (NISB)
Kruislaan 413, 1098SJ Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Applications should include a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae,  
list of publications, and the names and addresses of at least two  
persons that can be approached to obtain further information.

Application deadline: December 1st, 2008.