Doctoral researcher (bioinformatics) - development of shotgun sequencing methods

at  Sciensano

L’entreprise
Sciensano unit science, santé et société. Sciensano, ce sont plus de 900 collaborateurs qui s’engagent chaque jour au service de la santé humaine et animale. Comme notre nom l’indique, la science et la santé sont au cœur de notre mission. Sciensano puise sa force et sa spécificité dans une approche holistique et multidisciplinaire de la santé. Plus spécifiquement, nos activités sont guidées par l’interconnexion indissociable de la santé de l’homme, de l’animal et de leur environnement (le concept « One health » ou « Une seule santé »). Dans cette optique, en combinant plusieurs angles de recherche, Sciensano contribue d’une manière unique à la santé de tous. Issu de la fusion entre l’ancien Centre d’Étude et de Recherches Vétérinaires et Agrochimiques (CERVA) et l’ex-Institut scientifique de Santé publique (ISP), Sciensano s’appuie sur plus de 100 ans d’expertise scientifique. Pour plus d’information sur nos projets et activités: https://www.sciensano.be.
Description de l’emploi
You join the Bioinformatics Platform (Transversal activities in Applied Genomics) and realize and manage original doctoral research, communicate research findings in the form of scientific reports, peer-reviewed publications, and presentations at conferences with the aim of submitting a dissertation and obtaining the PhD degree.
About the project: the DARWIN project (Transition to safe and sustainable food systems through new and innovative Detection methods and digital solutions for plAnt-based pRoducts derived from neW genomIc techniques, under a co-creatioN approach), funded by the European Commission, focuses on genetically engineered plants generated with techniques such as CRISPR/Cas9, collectively referred to with the umbrella term ‘New Genomic Techniques’ (NGT). Sciensano is mainly concerned with the development of a new generation of innovative and reliable DNA-based analytical detection methods, such as whole-genome sequencing, and high throughput metagenomic sequencing for NGT screening and characterization. The majority of the Phd work will take place within the framework of the DARWIN project, with the possibility to extend the developed methodology for the identification of other plant (sub)species than gene-edited lines.
You design and develop bioinformatics workflows for the analysis of state-of-the-art genomic technologies and methods such as second- (Illumina) and third- (Nanopore) generation sequencing, targeted sequencing, metagenomics,…
You collaborate closely with the project coordinators, and with the researchers responsible for the wetlab component of the project, situated in the BIOTECH Platform and the GMO lab at the TAG service of Sciensano.
You take care to timely meet project deliverables and contribute to the progress of the project.
You will report to and be supervised by a staff scientist of the Bioinformatics Platform, and by the head of the TAG service, but are also capable of providing feedback to the different scientific collaborators and stakeholders involved within the project.
You follow up required administrative tasks, be able to use obtained results to support providing scientifically motivated expert advice and opinions to the competent authorities, allowing the implementation of metagenomics into public health polics.
The doctoral project is in collaboration with Ghent University (the academic promotor is prof. dr. Dieter Deforce); the grantholder should enroll as a doctoral student at this university.
Le profil
MSc with a specialization track in bioinformatics (or equivalent through experience)
Proficiency with scripting languages such as Python and R
Familiarity with working on the Linux command line
Good understanding of biology and its interplay with genomics
Basic insight of statistics and mathematics
English language proficiency
Generic competences: team player; organizational and communication skills; solution-oriented with strategic and analytical problem-solving skills; working independently; quick learner
L’offre
A three-year doctoral research contract, with the possibility of an extension with one year
A challenging and fascinating project in a fast evolving domain
A knowledge-intensive position in a renowned health institute that operates on an international level
The possibility to directly impact Belgian public health
A young enthusiastic team of colleagues
Advantages: a doctoral fellowship for the duration of the research; flexible hours in a 38-hour working week, reimbursement of public transportation; lunch vouchers
Starting date: 01/09/2024

CONTACT

Send your application (CV + motivation letter) before 31/08/2024 via our website (https://www.sciensano.be/en/working-sciensano/my-employment-opportunities)
For more information about Sciensano and/or the job description, contact: jobs@sciensano.be; Jolien D’aes (Bioinformatics Platform): jolien.daes@sciensano.b

Please refer the Job description for details