----- Original Message -----
From: Germain, Ronald (NIH/NIAID) [E] <RGERMAIN@niaid.nih.gov>
To: yves.vandepeer@psb.ugent.be <yves.vandepeer@psb.vib-ugent.be>
Sent: Wed Apr 08 19:11:10 2009
Subject: Fully funded faculty positions in genomics and bioinformatics
Dear Dr. van de Peer
I am writing to bring to your attention the next round of faculty
recruitment for the NIAID Intramural research effort called the Program in
Systems Immunology and Infectious Disease Modeling (PSIIM), which is focused
on combining computational modeling with quantitative experimental
exploration of the immune system, pathogens, and host-pathogen interactions
at various biological scales, from intracellular signaling and gene
regulatory pathways to the whole organism level. These positions are fully
supported by the Division of Intramural Research, NIAID, making them
especially attractive in the current funding environment.
The PSIIM has already recruited individuals to lead groups in the areas of
computer modeling and simulation (Dr. Martin Meier-Schellersheim), molecular
and cell biology/high throughput screening (Dr. Iain D.C. Fraser),
proteomics (Dr. Aleksandra Nita-Lazar), and immunology (Dr. Ronald N.
Germain, who also serves as PSIIM Director). As the attached advertisement
details, the PSIIM is now recruiting to fill tenure / tenure-track positions
in two remaining critical areas bioinformatics and genomics. It is
important to note that in contrast to most typical NIH intramural research
activities involving small, focused, and quite independent laboratory
groups, the PSIIM is organized around a Oteam science¹ concept in which the
various research groups headed by these recruits will be expected to devote
a substantial amount of their effort towards larger, shared goals. To
support career development in this new environment, NIH has modified its
rules for granting tenure / assessing performance to take specific account
of accomplishments made in a team setting. Support from internal NIAID
research funds will be provided on a continuing basis that covers the
salaries of the group leader, technical staff and fellows, along with
generous budgets for equipment, laboratory reagents, animals, travel, and
publication costs (or in the case of computational groups, computers, shared
computing costs, and software licenses). The successful candidates will also
be able to take advantage of numerous cores within the NIAID and NIH that
include state-of-the-art support in the areas of gene microarrays, optical
imaging, and cluster computing as well as both trans-NIH and PSIIM-specific
robotics platforms for high throughput / high content drug and RNAi
screening. The PSIIM also has purchased a next-generation sequencer whose
use will be primarily devoted to the genomics recruit.
Although the PSIIM is currently supported solely by the NIAID, it is
already providing leadership across the NIH in the area of computational
systems biology and it is expected to continue in this role as NIH develops
a trans-Institute effort in this area in the future. The tenure /
tenure-track positions now open in the PSIIM thus represent extremely
attractive positions for individuals interested in playing a key role in
creating and applying new methods for quantitative analysis of biological
systems. The PSIIM will invest heavily in the development of novel, broadly
applicable tools for systems biology research, with an emphasis on software
for modeling and simulation [for example, see PLoS Comput Biol. 2006 Jul
21;2(7):e82. Epub 2006 May 25, PMID: 16854213], the integration of this
software with bioinformatics applications, and the establishment of methods
for providing the numerical data necessary for computational efforts. The
PSIIM will conduct biological studies in the areas of immunology and
infectious diseases, taking maximal advantage of the latest technological
advances, but extension of the systems approach of the PSIIM to other areas
of biomedicine will be possible through collaboration. The integrated,
multidisciplinary nature of the PSIIM research effort is expected to
markedly facilitate its ability to make significant contributions in the
arena of complex biosystems analysis. Studies of the host immune system will
include such topics as signaling by microbial receptors (TLRs, NODs, and
RIGI), regulation of differentiation of T cell subsets, and tissue level as
well as whole body analysis of protective and pathologic innate and adaptive
immune responses to infectious agents. Pathogen biology will also be a focus
of PSIIM efforts, with studies ranging from signaling networks and gene
regulatory pathways controlling pathogenicity to determination of points of
vulnerability to drug therapy or immune effectors.
I ask that you bring this exciting new program and the group leader
positions being advertised to the attention of any outstanding fellows or
colleagues you believe have an interest in systems biology, irrespective of
their background in immunology. A new website is currently under
construction that will provide additional information about the PSIIM and
its research program, but for now the recruiting advertisement provides a
good, if brief, introduction to the available opportunities. Additional
information about the PSIIM is available in an article at
http://www.nih.gov/catalyst/2006/06.09.01/page1.html
and also at http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/labs/aboutlabs/psiim/. I have attached
a formal version of this note and a copy of the ad for these positions, to
be posted in your department and distributed to students, fellows, or
colleagues you believe would be outstanding candidates for these openings.
With thanks in advance for your help,
Ronald N. Germain, M.D., Ph. D.
Deputy Chief, Laboratory of Immunology
Chief, Lymphocyte Biology Section, Laboratory of Immunology
Director, Program in Systems Immunology and Infectious Disease Modeling
(PSIIM)
Associate Director, Trans-NIH Center for Human Immunology (CHI)
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
National Institutes of Health, DHHS
Bldg. 10 Rm. 11N311
10 Center Dr. MSC-1892
Bethesda, MD 20892-1892
Office Ph: 301-496-1904
Cell: 301-273-5537
FAX: 301-496-0222
e mail: rgermain@nih.gov
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