Informatics | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 2

Postdoctoral Position in Computational Biology, Massey University, New Zealand

The successful candidate will study ways of improving the spatial and temporal resolution of genetic inferences about past human migrations. Although there is scope to accommodate existing research interests, the successful candidate will develop, implement and test new methods in statistical genetics, and apply these methods to genome-scale datasets. This research will initially be directed toward reconstructing aspects of prehistoric mobility in the Pacific region, a major focus of my research group.

This postdoctoral fellowship offers a rare opportunity to extend your research training within an internationally recognized computational biology research group, while taking advantage of New Zealand’s unique natural and cultural environment. Palmerston North, a university town with a large international community, offers a full range of social and cultural amenities. The city is located close to the North Island’s central mountains, and presents regular opportunities for hiking, skiing, surfing and adventure sports, as well as experiencing New Zealand’s unique indigenous culture. Nevertheless, my research group maintains extensive international connections, especially with colleagues in Australia, Indonesia, France and the United States, and is linked firmly into the international scientific community.

Minimum Qualifications:
– A Ph.D. in computational biology, bioinformatics, applied mathematics, computer science, population genetics, molecular evolution, or other relevant field.
– Able to conduct independent cutting-edge research.
– Proven research experience with a strong publication record.
– Solid analytical, quantitative and mathematical skills.
– Fluency in probabilistic modeling and statistical genetics.
– Candidates should be comfortable working in a UNIX environment, have a strong programming background, and be proficient in working with large datasets.

Scholarship Application Deadline:15 May 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Postdoctoral Position in Computational Biology, Massey University, New Zealand

The successful candidate will study ways of improving the spatial and temporal resolution of genetic inferences about past human migrations. Although there is scope to accommodate existing research interests, the successful candidate will develop, implement and test new methods in statistical genetics, and apply these methods to genome-scale datasets. This research will initially be directed toward reconstructing aspects of prehistoric mobility in the Pacific region, a major focus of my research group.

This postdoctoral fellowship offers a rare opportunity to extend your research training within an internationally recognized computational biology research group, while taking advantage of New Zealand’s unique natural and cultural environment. Palmerston North, a university town with a large international community, offers a full range of social and cultural amenities. The city is located close to the North Island’s central mountains, and presents regular opportunities for hiking, skiing, surfing and adventure sports, as well as experiencing New Zealand’s unique indigenous culture. Nevertheless, my research group maintains extensive international connections, especially with colleagues in Australia, Indonesia, France and the United States, and is linked firmly into the international scientific community.

Minimum Qualifications:
– A Ph.D. in computational biology, bioinformatics, applied mathematics, computer science, population genetics, molecular evolution, or other relevant field.
– Able to conduct independent cutting-edge research.
– Proven research experience with a strong publication record.
– Solid analytical, quantitative and mathematical skills.
– Fluency in probabilistic modeling and statistical genetics.
– Candidates should be comfortable working in a UNIX environment, have a strong programming background, and be proficient in working with large datasets.

Scholarship Application Deadline:15 May 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application

PhD Student Fellowship: Transcriptome Data Analysis and Modeling of Aspergillus fumigatus – Phagocytes Interaction, Germany

Dynamic models for the interaction between fungal pathogen A. fumigatus and phagocytes shall be inferred from RNA?Seq? and microarray?based gene expression data integrating the available prior knowledge. RNA?seq data analysis shall be used to search for splice variants and small regulatory non?coding RNA species and to study their impact for the fungal phagocytose interaction. The inferred models shall be aggregated, scaled?down to predictive minimal models and used for experiment design.

We expect:
• a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Bioinformatics. Candidates about to obtain their degree are welcome to apply.
• required methodological skills: data and biodatabase mining, mathematical modeling
• high motivation and interest in joining one of the interdisciplinary research areas of the JSMC
• creativity and interest in shaping your own thesis project
• an integrative and cooperative personality
• very good communication skills in English (the language of instruction at the JSMC)

We offer:
• a highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network providing top?level research
conditions
• a PhD stipend paid for three years according to the rules of the DFG (German Research
Foundation) as well as generous research funding
• a comprehensive mentoring program with efficient supervision by a team of supervisors
• a top?level PhD training program with courses in state?of?the?art research technologies and soft skills
• Jena – the German City of Science 2008: a young and lively town with dynamic business activities, successful scientific centers of innovation and a vibrant cultural scene around the famous Friedrich Schiller University

The application procedure takes place exclusively online via the JSMC website:www.jsmc.uni?jena.de

To apply, please acquaint yourself with the open PhD projects and the application process described on this website. Applications can only be considered upon receipt of the completed ‘Statement of Interest’ form, submitted by email to apply-jsmc-at-uni-jena.de before the deadlines listed below.
Selected applicants will be invited to a JSMC Recruitment Meeting in Jena, Germany, in June 2011. Award decisions will be made shortly thereafter, allowing the PhD projects to start immediately.

Scholarship Application Deadline: (i.e. deadlines for submission of the completed ‘Statement of Interest’ form):
Deadline for applicants who will require a visa to enter Germany and attend the recruitment meeting in June: April 6, 2011

For applicants who will not require a visa to enter Germany: Deadline April 29, 2011

(Please note: after April 29, applications from non-EU-nationals can only be considered if attendance at the recruitment meeting is possible within two weeks of receiving notice of acceptance. Please provide a brief explanatory statement together with your application)

Further Schlarship Information and Application