PhD position: Working on the genetic cause of frontotemporal dementia with FUS pathology

 

The Rademakers team (Genetics of Frontotemporal Dementia) at the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology, Belgium is seeking a highly motivated PhD student to work on the genetic cause of a rare form of frontotemporal dementia using bioinformatic analysis of multiple omics datatypes. The Rademakers lab performs research ranging from disease modeling, epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and long-read sequencing in the context of Frontotemporal Dementia and related dementias.

About the project

Frontotemporal dementia is clinically characterized by language and behavioral impairment. A rare form, frontotemporal dementia with FUS pathology, remains genetically unexplained and affects about 10% of the patients. In this bioinformatics project, the candidate will investigate this intriguing subtype starting from the largest collection of patients with FUS pathology with multiple types of omics data. These datasets include state-of-the-art long-read nanopore DNA and cDNA sequencing for short and structural variants, cytosine methylation, chromatin accessibility, and alternative transcript expression, as well as short read genome sequencing, deep exome sequencing, RRBS and RNA-seq, further supplemented by single cell transcriptomics.

Your profile

We are seeking a highly motivated, enthusiastic, critical, and creative individual to join our teams. The candidate should have a strong interest in bioinformatics and genetics, and experience in the analysis of sequencing data is considered an advantage.

Essential

• Master’s in bioinformatics, related disciplines or equivalent through experience
• Proficient in verbal and written English.
• Ability to summarize data extracted from literature and to define research objectives.
• Passion for science, self-motivation, flexibility, and team spirit

Desirable but not required

• Programming skills in Python or R
• Experience with data analysis, working in the Linux environment
• Experience with large scale data from genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, or bioinformatics
• Experience with data analysis of long-read sequencing and awareness of the biotechnological background
• Experience with a workflow system such as Snakemake or Nextflow                                                       

We offer

• A versatile and challenging job in a vibrant world-class research environment operating at an international level
• State of the art research facilities
• A dedicated training program to broaden your expertise and enhance your skill set
• A doctoral scholarship for a period of two years, with the possibility of renewal for a further two-year period after positive evaluation. During the doctoral scholarship you are encouraged to obtain a personal fellowship (e.g. FWO)

Starting date: as soon as possible

Join us → how to apply?

Submit your application through the VIB or UA online application tool.  Be sure to include:

• a detailed CV incl. a list of publications
• a letter of motivation explaining why you are interested in our work and aspire this PhD position
• the names and contact details of 3 references

For more information please contact rosa.rademakers@uantwerpen.vib.be

For more information about our research center https://uantwerpen.vib.be/group/RosaRademakers

Apply