PhD position in Statistics for Integrative Bioinformatics, The Netherlands Department/section: Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Division VI & Pathology, Division V Full details are available at: http://www.werkenbijvumc.nl/vacatures/D5.2011.00040/<http://www.rcog.org.uk/work-us/research-associate> General: The Biostatistics group (see http://www.vumc.nl/afdelingen/EB/ - in Dutch) at the VU University Medical Center has a very active group of statisticians working on high-dimensional data analysis. The group within the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics has close links to the Mathematics and Statistics Department of the VU University Amsterdam, as well as to both the Microarray Facility and the Department of Pathology of the VU University Medical Center. Within the Department of Pathology, the unit Molecular Pathology investigates the molecular changes involved in the development of cervical cancer. Ultimate aim of this research is the identification of potential therapeutic targets and molecular markers for population-based screening programs (see http://www.vumc.com/afdelingen/pathology/ - Research - Oncology) Project: The project aims to produce multivariate statistical models that describe the development of HPV-induced cervical cancer in vitro from a longitudinal experiment in which multiple molecular levels (DNA copy number, methylation, gene expression, and microRNA expression) of consecutive stages of a cell line model have been characterized in high-throughput fashion. The high-dimensionality of the information on and the dependency between the molecular levels make the inference of the molecular mechanisms underlying cervical cancer development a statistical challenge, which is to be tackled within this project. The project is a collaboration between the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics and the Unit Molecular Pathology, providing an optimal statistical and biological framework. Requirements: We are looking for a PhD student with an MSc in Statistics, Bioinformatics or a closely related discipline. Essentials are: good statistical knowledge enabling the development of new models and analysis tools, programming skills, the ability to explain complex ideas to biologists/non-specialists and an affinity with genetics and biology. Previous knowledge of any of the areas involved in the project (such as longitudinal models, multivariate statistics, high-dimensional data analysis) and of R programming are an advantage. The PhD student we are looking for has good communication skills and is flexible to work both with statisticians and biomedical researchers. The PhD student will participate in the PhD program of the VU Institute for Cancer and Immunology (V-ICI). Work conditions: The temporary employment will be for a period of 4 years. Salary and terms of employment will be in accordance with the CAO-Universtair medische centra of the Netherlands. Contact: For details about the project contents please contact - Wessel van Wieringen (PhD), Statistician, Dept of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, w.vanwieringen@vumc.nl<mailto:w.vanwieringen@vumc.nl>, tel: +31 20 444 1047 - Saskia Wilting (PhD), Biomedical researcher, Dept of Pathology, s.wilting@vumc.nl<mailto:s.wilting@vumc.nl>, tel: +31 20 444 8584