PhD student positions in Artificial Intelligence and Computational Biology

at  KU SCIENCE PLEN

Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Section for Plant Biochemistry, invites applicants for several PhD fellowships within the topics of using computational biology and artificial intelligence to understand gene function in plants. The aim is to use recent advances in machine learning, large language models and the generation of high-throughput data to gain new insights into how plant genes function and are regulated spatiotemporally.
The projects are part of the Starting Grant package awarded to Assoc. Prof. Marek Mutwil, which is financed by The Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Start date is 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED FOR THE REGULAR PROGRAMME

To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. molecular biology, biochemistry, mathematics, physics, bioinformatics. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .

WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING QUALIFICATIONS:

• Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
• Relevant publications
• Relevant work experience
• Other relevant professional activities
• Curious mind-set with a strong interest in computational biology and artificial intelligence
• Good language skills

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Achieve key performance indicators of the research project
• Become proficient in the technical skills and knowledge required to complete the project
• Design and implement the bioinformatics analyses
• Supervise and train research staff and undergraduate students
• Participate in writing research proposals
• Regularly communicate research progress
• Present data on regular group meetings
• Present results on external conferences and meetings
• Take lead in writing manuscripts

Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programme

• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your projec