[ISCB-RSG-INDIA] 2 PhD positions at University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark

Two PhD positions are available in the field of 3D protein structure prediction at the Bioinformatics Center, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark, in the group of Thomas Hamelryck (structural bioinformatics group). The positions are funded by the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation. The positions are part of a project that aims at developing novel methods to determine the structure of protein ensembles. These methods will be applied to alpha-synuclein, a protein that plays an important role in Parkinson\'s disease, and for which unique in-house data is available. The projects are built around probabilistic models of protein structure that were developed in the group (see PLoS Comput. Biol., 2006, vol. 2, issue 9, e131 and PNAS, 2008, vol. 105, 8932-8937). The students will be added to a group consisting of 4 PhD students, 2 postdocs, and a group leader, and will interact with several collaborators within Denmark and abroad (Bente Vestergaard, KU-FARMA, Jesper Ferkinghoff-Borg, DTU and Kanti Mardia, University of Leeds, UK). The employment is at the Department of Biology, The University of Copenhagen, which is located in the new Copenhagen Biocenter. The Bioinformatics Center, headed by Prof. Anders Krogh, employs around 30 scientists (including PhD students) and focuses on non-coding RNA, eukaryotic gene regulation, protein structure prediction and comparative genomics. The center provides a modern, pleasant, international working environment close to the heart of Copenhagen. Further information can be obtained from group leader Thomas Hamelryck (thamelry@binf.ku.dk ). Candidates must have a masters degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, bioinformatics, or a related relevant subject. Candidates ideally have programming experience in C or C++. Experience with the Python programming language, protein structure, machine learning or Bayesian statistics is a strong plus. The application must contain: • Curriculum vitae (incl. the applicants email address) • List of publications (if any) • Transcript of university examinations • Contact details of 2 persons for references An assessment committee will evaluate the applications. The applicant will be notified of the composition of the committee. Each applicant will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns her/him. The main criterion for selection will be the research potential of the applicant. The successful applicant will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen for the 3-year duration of the PhD program. Information about the PhD programs at the Faculty of Science can be found at http://www.science.ku.dk/phd. Terms of appointment and payment are in accordance with the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations (AC). The post is covered by the protocol on job Structure. The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background. Applications should be e-mailed as one pdf-file marked “PhD stipend in protein structure prediction” to job@bio.ku.dk . Deadline for applications is September 30, 2009 at 12:00 noon. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.