BIOINFORMATICS POSTDOC Topic: Pathway-based tumour characterisation by alignment against cell panels along multiple molecular dimensions. Research: Astra Zeneca Oncology has constructed large cell panels to serve as in vitro models for drug response. These cell panels have been extensively characterized by mutation analysis, mRNA expression, aCGH, response to a wide variety of drugs, micro-RNA expression and phosphoprotein characterization. In parallel, the same measurements are being performed on a collection of colorectal samples. In this project two aims are pursued. First, a comparative analysis will be performed between the cell line data and the tumor data to determine the multi-dimensional molecular states spanned by the cell lines and whether these states faithfully recapitulate the space spanned by a representative and clinically relevant selection of tumor samples. Guided by this mapping and by following a pathway-based approach, integrative modeling will be applied on the cell line panel data to construct models predictive of resistance. Job description: The successful candidate will be responsible for the bioinformatics analysis of the cell line and tissue data. More specifically, these tasks include 1) constructing a comprehensive gene list of the PI3K and ERK network; 2) Molecular characterisation of the colorectal cell panel and tumour samples through integrative analysis of the various data sources within the space spanned by the identified network genes and 3) Pathway-based alignment of cell panel to tumours to determine the extent to which the cell panel recapitulates the heterogeneity in the tissue set. Location: The position is embedded within the Bioinformatics and statistics group lead by Dr Lodewyk Wessels (http://bioinformatics.nki.nl) at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam and the Oncology Informatics group, Discovery Medicine, Astra Zeneca, Alderley Park, UK lead by Dr Tim French. We plan to have regular meetings, and the postdoc will also spend time at both locations. Requirements: Candidates should fulfill the following criteria. - MSc or PhD in one of the following areas: bioinformatics, engineering, computer science, statistics, physics, biotechnology, or biology. - Knowledge of fundamental aspects of cancer biology, especially signalling pathways. - Knowledge of fundamental aspects of computer science (algorithms and data structures, programming languages). - Knowledge or experience of informatics. - Knowledge of statistics, artificial intelligence or bioinformatics is highly desirable. Conditions of Employment: The successful candidate will be employed by the Netherlands Cancer Institute. The employment conditions follow general employment rules as laid down in the 'CAO' for hospitals. The salary will be determined depending on education and experience. Contact and Applications: Dr. Lodewyk Wessels, tel. +31 20 512 7987 or e-mail: l.wessels@nki.nl or Dr Tim French Discovery Medicine, Cancer Bioscience, tel. +44 1625-519922 or e-mail: Tim.French@AstraZeneca.com. Applicants should send a CV, list of publications and the names and addresses of at least two persons that can be approached to obtain further information. Website: http://bioinformatics.nki.nl Closing date: 30 January 2009 L.F.A.Wessels, Ph.D Bioinformatics and Statistics The Netherlands Cancer Institute Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)20 5127987 Fax: +31 (0)20 6691383 Mobile: +31 (0)634485714 http://bioinformatics.nki.nl/ L.F.A.Wessels, Ph.D Bioinformatics and Statistics The Netherlands Cancer Institute Plesmanlaan 121, 1066 CX Amsterdam The Netherlands Tel: +31 (0)20 5127987 Fax: +31 (0)20 6691383 Mobile: +31 (0)634485714 http://bioinformatics.nki.nl/