The department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University is now looking for an experienced computational biologist to design and analyse genomics experiments aimed at understanding the transmission biology of malaria parasites. You will join a research team that is part of the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS), which is internationally well-connected through the EMBL Nordic Partnership for Molecular Medicine.

Description of tasks

• You will work collaboratively with the team to design biological experiments generating genome wide datasets, which will range from statistical analysis of genetic screens to single cell RNAseq. Where necessary, you will develop innovative analytical methods.
• Your work will contribute to the entire analysis workflow from pipelining primary RNAseq data processing and databases to bespoke systems/pathway/evolutionary level analysis.
• We are looking for an individual who can both lead on and contribute to publications and present data at international conferences.

The project forms part of a major effort funded by the European Research Council to systematically identify parasite gene functions in malaria transmission. We also aim to contribute single cell data to the Malaria Cell Atlas, and to continue our productive collaboration with the Teichmann lab at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Cambridge, UK. This position will contribute to all these activities, and we anticipate there will be opportunities for the successful candidate to spend time at the Sanger Institute for training or collaboration.

The position is full time and is placed at the Department of Molecular Biology, Umeå University, Sweden. The deadline for application is 2018-07-30. The position is expected to start in September 2018 or as otherwise agreed. A probationary period may be applied. For additional information, visit our lab page (https://billkerlab.org), or contact Oliver Billker (oliver.billker@umu.se).

Qualifications

• Successful candidates will hold a PhD degree in a computational or natural science, such as biology, informatics, physics, statistics, or will have equivalent experience.
• You must have 3+ years’ experience or formal training in computational biology or bioinformatics and are familiar with genomics.
• You will have evidence of a strong relevant research output, as evidenced by first authorship on publications presenting ground-breaking new research findings or new informatics tools, or where you had a leading role in analysing a large biological dataset.
• Evidence of productive work in an interdisciplinary environment would be important, as would be proven experience with large biological datasets, including transcriptomic datasets. 
• Awareness of single cell technologies will be required, as well as demonstrated proficiency with several of the following technologies: R, Unix, Perl, Python, Java, Matlab, C, C++, MySQL.
• As a successful candidate you will demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively with computational experts and non-expert scientists, and you will be asked to provide evidence of your ability to work in a team and of your highly developed problem-solving skills.
• You will have a track record in translating analytical requirements into coding designs that provide the agreed function, and you will be able to provide examples of well documented and easy to maintain code that provides robust solutions.

Desirable qualifications

Knowledge of genetics and/or cell biology would be highly desirable.