Postdoc in Computational Cancer Biology

POSTDOC IN COMPUTATIONAL CANCER BIOLOGY PROJECT OUTLINE At the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) several high throughput screens are performed, such as imaging-based high-content screens that aim to capture genotype-phenotype relations, and transposon reporter screens that are used to study the effect of chromatin organization on gene expression. Moreover, the size and number of publicly available datasets, such as ENCODE, TCGA and the drug screening datasets is increasing. In the Delft Bioinformatics Lab (bioinformatics.tudelft.nl) and the Computational Cancer Biology group at the NKI (ccb.nki.nl) we develop machine learning algorithms to extract biologically relevant structure from these data. However, integrally analyzing these heterogeneous data, while ensuring that the derived models remain amenable to biological interpretation is a major challenge. In this project we aim to develop machine learning based data integration algorithms that can deal with heterogeneous, partially unlabeled data. A special emphasis is placed on deriving models that are interpretable, thus maximizing the biological utility of such models. The successful candidate will - Be responsible for performing and supervising the research project; - Act as a liaison between the TUDelft and the NKI with the aim of identifying synergies between these institutions and developing these projects further; - Contribute to education at the BSc, MSc and PhD levels, as well as assist in the supervision of MSc and PhD students. REQUIREMENTS The candidates should have a strong computational background in bioinformatics or machine learning with a track-record in (cancer) genomics. The candidate must be able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment and be able to partner with leading, worldwide institutions (university, government agencies, national labs, and professional organizations). The candidate must have exceptional communication skills, capable of interacting with peers and students and technical staff. EMPLOYER PROFILES The Delft Bioinformatics Lab at the TUDelft develops computer algorithms to further fundamental biological knowledge, apply these to advance the state-of-the-art in health care and industry. To this end, we closely collaborate with researchers in molecular and cell biology, medicine and biotechnology. The Computational Cancer Biology group at the NKI, focuses on developing novel computational approaches which exploit a wide variety of (high-throughput) data sources to further our basic understanding of cancer and to translate these findings to the clinic. CONTACT DETAILS Please contact Lodewyk Wessels, tel. +31 20 512 7987 or e-mail: l.wessels@nki.nl. When applying please ensure you include a CV, list of publications and the names and addresses of at least two persons that can be approached to obtain further information. Also see ccb.nki.nl for further information. CLOSING DATE: 1 MAY 2014

COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY POSITION: RESPONSE PREDICTION ON EX-VIVO DATA FOR DRUG REPURPOSING PROJECT INFORMATION: The promise of personalized cancer treatment can only be fulfilled when a therapy exists that is suitable for a specific tumor. Thus far, the number of targeted therapies have remained limited and many tumor types can therefore only be treated with aspecific therapies. This project is aimed at employing ex-vivo testing, genomic profiling and computational approaches to identify novel applications of existing hormonal drugs, and to find biomarkers for sensitivity to these agents. Since all these therapeutics have already been introduced into the clinic years ago, the physiologic, pathologic and any potential adverse side-effects are well-known. More importantly, the project would potentially realize targeted therapy options for patients for whom only aspecific, often highly toxic, chemotherapeutics are available, greatly increasing the quality of life for these cancer patients. Tumor samples from patients will be profiled for receptor expression to identify steroid hormone receptors that may be effective on these samples. Ex-vivo screening of the selected drugs will identify responding and non-responding samples which will subsequently be subjected to genomics analyses (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq and FAIRE-seq). We will identify mechanisms of response and associated biomarkers for each tested drug through computational analysis of these profiles. The project will employ the complementary expertise and tools from the groups of Wilbert Zwart, specialized in chromatin genomics of breast and prostate cancer and the Computational Cancer Biology group lead by Lodewyk Wessels at the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam. The position is will be shared between these groups. REQUIREMENTS: We are seeking highly motivated Postdoc or PhD candidates with a degree in bioinformatics, computer science, mathematics or physics and with a strong cancer biology interest. Preferably applicants should have a strong documented experience in analyzing high-throughput genomics data. Fluency in spoken and written English is a strong requirement. CONTACT DETAILS Please contact Lodewyk Wessels (tel. +31 20 512 7987 / e-mail: l.wessels@nki.nl) or Wilbert Zwart (tel. +31 20 512 7920 / e-mail: w.zwart@nki.nl) When applying please ensure you include a CV, list of publications and the names and addresses of at least two persons that can be approached to obtain further information. Also see ccb.nki.nl for further information. CLOSING DATE: 15 August 2014
participants (1)
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l.wessels@nki.nl