Doctoral student in medical science towards bioinformatics, global spread

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher education with over 37,000 students and 4,800 faculty and staff. We are characterised by world-leading research in several scientific fields and a multitude of educations ranked highly in international comparison. Umeå University is also the site of the pioneering discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissors – a revolution in genetic engineering that has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

At Umeå University, everything is nearby. Our cohesive campus environment makes it easy to meet, collaborate and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic and open culture where we rejoice in each other’s successes.

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Umeå University’s Department of Clinical Microbiology is looking for a PhD student for the department of clinical microbiology within the field of medical science with a focus on bioinformatics. We offer an international, stimulating, and collaborative research environment where your scientific career development is promoted.

 The project aims to track the global spread of bacterial pathogens using genomic data. You will be part of a research group that collaborates with other leading researchers. Our goal is to obtain new, ground-breaking knowledge that enables development in the field of bioinformatics.

Project description

Tracking the global spread of bacterial pathogens using whole-genome sequencing data. The movement of humans, animals, and commodities can contribute to the global dissemination of bacterial pathogens. High-resolution technologies, such as whole-genome sequencing (WGS), are thus being used increasingly to monitor the global spread of bacterial pathogens. Here, the PhD student will develop and apply bioinformatic approaches, which can leverage bacterial WGS data to gain insight into pathogen virulence potential, evolution, dissemination, transmission dynamics, and antimicrobial resistance acquisition.

You who are admitted to doctoral studies at the Faculty of Medicine will be part of the faculty-wide doctoral education programme. The doctoral programme comprises 25 credits and is offered in two study variants: 25 credits spread over 8 terms (a total of 4 years) or over 12 terms (a total of 6 years), starting each autumn and spring semester. More information about the programme can be found on the faculty’s web page for doctoral studies (Doctoral Studies at the Faculty of Medicine – Handbook (umu.se)).

Eligibility and Qualifications

• You must have at least 240 higher education credits (hc), of which at least 60 hc are at an advanced level, in natural sciences, or life sciences, or engineering. 
• Applicants must be skilled in both oral and written communication in English, able to work independently as well as in collaboration with others, and be highly motivated.

Meritorious

• If you have knowledge in bioinformatics, computational biology, (bio)statistics,  or a related field; candidates from other fields with strong programming/coding skills (see below) are also encouraged to apply
• Proficient in at least one programming language, preferably Python or R
• Comfortable working in a diverse, inclusive, interdisciplinary, and highly collaborative environment
• Ability to navigate UNIX filesystems from the command line

Further details 

The position is funded via the SciLifeLab and Wallenberg National Program for Data- Driven Life Science (DDLS; https://www.scilifelab.se/data-driven/), a 12-year initiative aimed at recruiting and training the next generation of data-driven life scientists. In addition to being affiliated with the Department of Clinical Microbiology at Umeå University (https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-clinical-microbiology/), you will be affiliated with the national DDLS program, through which they you will have access to computing resources, the national DDLS research school, and other training and networking opportunities.

You will be further affiliated with the Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine Sweden (MIMS; https://www.mims.umu.se/); MIMS is a member of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine, which is dedicated to the growing field of life sciences that investigates the molecular basis of disease and explores molecularly and genetically based treatments.

How to apply

Doctoral position 4 years, starting according to agreement.
The application is made electronically (via the system Varbi) and deadline is January 31, 2023

The application must contain:

• A cover letter (In one one A4 page), highlighting your specific qualifications and motivation for the position
• A curriculum vitae (CV), including a full list of publications
• Certified copies of diplomas, certificates, and grades
• Recommendation and names of at least 2 reference persons
• Documents sent must be in word or pdf format in English

Other information

• The employment is time limited to four years, starting as soon as possible. Salary placement takes place according to the established salary for doctoral employment
• According to the Higher Education Ordinance (ch.12,§ 2), the decision on employment cannot be appealed
• For more information, contact Laura Carroll laura.carroll@umu.se
• Union representative
  SACO, 090-7865365
  SEKO, 090-7865296
  ST, 090-7865431
• Registration number
  AN 2.2.1-2036-22

We look forward to receiving your application!