Postdoctoral position in Multi-Omic Integration and Machine Learning for Equine Asthma

The Department of Medical Sciences is a large clinical institution with more than 250 employees and over 900 additional coworkers connected via the Uppsala University Hospital. The Department of Medical Sciences has a broad research profile with strong research groups in a number of different areas. The research carried out at the department is performed in close connection with the clinical activities at the Uppsala University Hospital, which includes both basic studies on the causes of a variety of illnesses and the development and evaluation of improved diagnostics and new treatment methods. More information about the Department of Medical Sciences can be found at www.medsci.uu.se. 

Are you interested in working in one of the world's fastest growing technology areas? We are recruiting a driven postdoctoral researcher to join the Molecular Precision Medicine research group at the Department of Medical Sciences, located at the Uppsala Biomedical Center (BMC). The research group focuses on various diseases using large-scale genetic methods (current projects can be found on our website: https://www.medsci.uu.se/research/mpm/research-projects/). Through close collaboration with clinical researchers at Uppsala University Hospital and SLU, our research group has access to unique sample collections and clinical patient information. A close collaboration with the National Genomics Infrastructure (NGI) at the Science for Life Laboratory (SciLifeLab), gives the research group access to next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology (https://ngisweden.scilifelab.se/).

The current project focuses on the analysis of lung samples from horses with equine asthma and healthy controls using multi-omics technologies. The overall aimaim is to research equine asthma, define subtypes/endotypes of the disease, improve diagnostic and predictive capabilities, including treatment response, and explore the suitability of the horse as a large animal model of asthma. We are also participating in a study where the effects of exercise in extreme cold on the airways of trotting horses are being investigated

Funded by FORMAS, this project is a collaborative effort with leading veterinary experts in equine asthma at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the University of Copenhagen. Your role will be to leverage and integrate multiple -omics datasets using machine learning techniques to uncover novel insights into equine asthma. The successful candidate will join the dynamic Molecular Precision Medicine group at Uppsala University, where ongoing research projects also include studies focusing on multi-omics data integration in leukemia and genomics technology development. Although the primary focus will be on equine asthma, there will be ample opportunities to define one's own research questions within the project as well as collaborate with other computational biology experts and wet lab scientists in the group.

• Key Responsibilities
  Analyze multi-omic data (transcriptomics (bulk and scRNA), epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, etc.) from equine lung samples.
• Develop and apply machine learning models to identify disease subtypes and predict treatment responses.
• Collaborate with veterinary experts and computational biologists within our group and across institutions.
• Contribute to the preparation of scientific manuscripts and presentations at scientific meetings and conferences.

Qualification Requirements
PhD degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field, or a foreign degree equivalent to a PhD degree. The degree needs to be obtained by the time of the decision of employment. Those who have obtained a PhD degree three years prior to the application deadline are primarily considered for the employment. The starting point of the three-year frame period is the application deadline. Due to special circumstances, the degree may have been obtained earlier. The three-year period can be extended due to circumstances such as sick leave, parental leave, duties in labour unions, etc.

• Experience with high-throughput data analysis and relevant programming languages (e.g., Python, R).
• Experience working with large-scale DNA or RNA sequencing
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Good oral and written skills in English

Additional qualifications

Experience with multi-omic data integration and/or machine learning will be considered a merit.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position of two years according to central collective agreement, with a possible extension of maximum one year. . Scope of employment full time (100%). Starting date as soon as possible or as agreed upon. Placement: Uppsala

For further information about the position, please contact:  Dr. Amanda Raine, amanda.raine@medsci.uu.se.

Please submit your application by 18 September 2024, UFV-PA 2024/2766.

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