Postdoctoral position: Machine learning in genetic epidemiology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology at Uppsala University (www.igp.uu.se) has a broad research profile with strong research groups focused on cancer, autoimmune and genetic diseases. A fundamental idea at the department is to stimulate translational research and thereby closer interactions between medical research and health care. Research is presently conducted in the following areas: medical and clinical genetics, clinical immunology, pathology, neuro-oncology, vascular biology, radiation science and molecular tools. Department activities are also integrated with the units for Oncology, Clinical Genetics, Clinical Immunology, Clinical Pathology, and Hospital Physics at Akademiska sjukhuset, Uppsala. The department has teaching assignments in several education programmes, including Master Programmes, at the Faculty of Medicine, and in a number of educations at the Disciplinary Domain of Science and Technology. The department has a yearly turnover of around SEK 420 million, out of which more than half is made up of external funding. The staff amounts to approximately 345 employees, out of which 100 are PhD-students, and there are in total more than 700 affiliated people.

Project description: The postdoc will be employed within the research group of Dr. Åsa Johansson (https://www.uu.se/en/research/ai4research/ and https://igp.uu.se/research/genetics_genomics/asa-johansson/). The project will focus on machine learning (ML) / Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for analyzing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data in relation to human phenotypes. The primary task is to build models for protein expression levels and quantitative disease-related phenotypes, and also to evaluate the ability to capture information from rare sequence variants. The primary aim is to develop novel ML-based tools for association studies that are based on ML/AI rather than single-marker tests (i.e. GWAS). The secondary aim is to construct models to identify high risk individuals that are more suited for clinical intervention. The duties include planning, conducting data analysis, compiling results, and writing and presenting scientific works. The work also includes contributing to the writing of research applications and some supervision (max. 20%) of master and PhD students.

Qualifications: To qualify for an employment as a postdoc you must have a PhD degree or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree. The PhD degree must have been obtained no more than three years prior to the application deadline. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labor unions, etc.

Specific qualifications for the position are:
*  Previous research experience of machine learning methods such as neural networks.
*  Experience in bioinformatic or statistical analyzes of large-scale epidemiological,     genomic, proteomic or transcriptomic data.
*  Good ability to express yourself in English, both orally and in writing.
*  Good collaboration and communication skills.
*  Documented experience in compiling and publishing scientific articles in a related field.

Other merits: Documented experience in using machine learning methods for analysis of genetic data is a merit.

Uppsala University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities and attracts qualified candidates who can contribute to the University’s excellence and diversity. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and from people of all backgrounds.

Salary: Individual salary.

Starting date: 01-01-2021 or as otherwise agreed.

Type of employment: Temporary position of 2 years.

Scope of employment: 100 %.

For further information about the position please contact: Åsa Johansson, asa.johansson@igp.uu.se.

Please submit your application by January 7th 2021, UFV-PA 2020/4109.

Are you considering moving to Sweden to work at Uppsala University? If so, you will find a lot of information about working and living in Sweden at www.uu.se/joinus. You are also welcome to contact International Faculty and Staff Services at ifss@uadm.uu.se.