[BBC] postdoc job vacancy at KU Leuven - ESAT-SCD-SISTA-BIOI group : Candidate gene prioritization by genomic data fusion

[Michiel Van Bel]

 > Candidate gene prioritization by genomic data fusion
 >
 >
 >
 > Promotor: <http://www.kuleuven.be/wieiswie/en/person/00012794>Yves Moreau
 >
 > Description: The Bioinformatics Lab at the University of Leuven is 
searching for an exceptional postdoctoral fellow who will work under the 
supervision of Prof. Yves Moreau to develop a novel platform for 
candidate gene prioritization by genomic data fusion. The lab has 
developed Endeavour for the prioritization of candidate diseases genes 
using heterogeneous genomic data (Aerts et al., 2006). This platform is 
now broadly established within the human genetics community as an 
effective tool to support disease gene discovery (Thienpont et al., 
2010). We have also extended our original methodology using network 
analysis (Lage et al., 2007) and kernel methods (De Bie et al., 2007; Yu 
et al., 2010). The goal of the postdoctoral fellow will be to develop a 
platform for gene prioritization that implements such strategies and is 
broadly usable by wet-bench biologists (web interface) and 
bioinformaticians (API or web service).
 >
 > The candidate will hold a PhD in bioinformatics with an excellent 
publication record. The ideal candidate will have a strong record in 
software engineering of bioinformatics methods, analysis of molecular 
networks, and practical applications of kernel methods. Excellent Java 
and web application development skills are essential. The candidate 
should have extensive practical knowledge of kernel methods, including 
software libraries (for example, Shogun). Knowledge of multiple kernel 
learning and feature selection methods is a plus, as well as the 
capacity to develop novel kernel algorithms. Knowledge of molecular 
network analysis and bag-of-word text-mining methods are additional assets.
 >
 > The postdoctoral fellow will be embedded in the SymBioSys Center for 
Computational Systems Biology, which is a consortium of computational 
scientists and molecular biologists at the University of Leuven that 
focuses on how individual genomic variation leads to disease through 
cascading effects across biological networks (in constitutional 
disorders and leukemias). We develop innovative computational strategies 
for next-gen sequencing and biological network analysis, with 
demonstrated contributions to actual biological breakthroughs. Eagerness 
to collaborate with biologists and geneticists on gene discovery 
projects is crucial. Ability to contribute to coaching PhD students and 
acquiring external funding is another plus.
 >
 > We offer a competitive package and a fun, dynamic environment with a 
top-notch consortium of young leading scientists in bioinformatics, 
human genetics, and cancer. Our consortium offers a rare level of 
interdisciplinarity, from machine learning algorithms to fundamental 
advances in molecular biology to direct access to the clinic. The 
University of Leuven is one of Europe’s leading research universities, 
with English as the working language for research. Leuven is one of 
Europe’s most beautiful university towns, just outside Brussels, at the 
heart of Europe.
 >
 > Related publications by the lab
 > oAerts S et al. Gene prioritization through genomic data fusion. Nat 
Biotechnol. 2006.
 > oThienpont B et al. Haploinsufficiency of TAB2 causes congenital 
heart defects in humans. Am J Hum Genet. 2010.
 > oLage K et al. A human phenome-interactome network of protein 
complexes implicated in genetic disorders. Nat Biotechnol. 2007.
 > oDe Bie T et al. Kernel-based data fusion for gene prioritization. 
Bioinformatics. 2007.
 > oYu S et al. L2-norm multiple kernel learning and its application to 
biomedical data fusion. BMC Bioinformatics. 2010.
 >
 >
 > Key words: bioinformatics, candidate gene prioritization, genomic 
data fusion, network analysis, kernel methods, software engineering, 
Endeavour
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 > Start date: 2012-09-1
 > Application date: 2012-06-26
 > Publication date: 2012-03-26
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 > Financing: SymBioSys
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 > Link: <http://www.esat.kuleuven.be/scd/>http://www.esat.kuleuven.be/scd/
 >
 > Research group: Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT)
 >
 > Remarks: Please send in PDF:
 > (1) a CV including education (with Grade Point Average, class rank, 
honors, etc.), research experience, and bibliography,
 > (2) a one-page research statement, and
 > (3) three references (with phone and email) to Prof. Yves Moreau, c/o 
Ms. Mimi Deprez – 
<mailto:mimi.deprez at esat.kuleuven.be>mimi.deprez at esat.kuleuven.be. 
Preferred start date is September 2012. The candidate will commit to a 
three-year postdoc period.
 >
 > Apply to 
<http://phd.kuleuven.be/set/postdoc/voorstellen_departement?departement=50000516>Click 
here to apply to this project