Postdoc in Immunoinformatic Methods for Prediction of T Cell Receptor Specificity

The section of Bioinformatics, DTU Health Tech is world leading within Immunoinformatics and Machine-Learning. Currently, we are seeking a highly talented and motivated postdoc to advance the prediction of T cell receptor (TCR) specificities. TCRs scrutinize the surface of cells for foreign peptides presented in complex with MHC (Major histocompatibility complex) molecules. Only a minor proportion of the MHC presented peptides are recognized by T cells. Finding out the rules and properties defining this peptide subset has large implication for our understanding of immunity and the development of novel immune treatments such as vaccines.

If you are looking for the best possible foundation for establishing your scientific carrier and fulfilling your dreams and ambitions, this position could be your opportunity. The postdoc project will be focused on forefront cutting edge research to gain novel insights and advance our understanding of the rules associated with the T cell receptor (TCR) specificity with the aim of developing improved methods for rational epitope discovery and vaccine design. This we envision can be achieved by use of structural modeling of the interaction surface between the TCR and its target combined with refined deep neural network methods including variants of transformers and CNNs. The project will be conducted in the inspiring environment at the section of Bioinformatics at DTU Health Tech as part of the IML research group led by Professor Morten Nielsen.  

Responsibilities and qualifications
As a postdoctoral fellow, your focus will be on continuing the work on expanding our understanding of the rules that define T cell receptor recognition of its cognate epitope targets. The work will be conducted as part of the IMI2 project Inno4Vac in collaboration with academic and industrial partners.

You hold a PhD degree or equivalent in one or more of the following areas: Bioinformatics, Biology, Engineering, Computer science or related fields, and have experience doing research within Bioinformatics.

The successful candidate must moreover exhibit the following professional and personal qualifications:

• Strong background within machine learning, and bioinformatics is a requirement
• Experience in structural biology and protein structure modeling and knowledge of the basic concepts of the cellular immune system would be a plus
• Interest in engaging in supervision of project students
• Capability of taking personal responsibility for your work and your results
• Flexibility and a general positive attitude to changes
• Motivation by both individual and team accomplishments
• Strong communication skills in both written and verbal English

We offer
DTU is a leading technical university globally recognized for the excellence of its research, education, innovation and scientific advice. We offer a rewarding and challenging job in an international environment. We strive for academic excellence in an environment characterized by collegial respect and academic freedom tempered by responsibility.

Salary and terms of employment
The appointment will be based on the collective agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. The allowance will be agreed upon with the relevant union. The period of employment is 2 years with a starting date of 1 December 2021 or as soon as possible hereafter.  

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Morten Nielsen, [email protected] and at Immunoinformatics and Machine Learning (IML) .

You can read more about DTU Health Tech at www.healthtech.dtu.dk/english .  

If you are applying from abroad, you may find useful information on working in Denmark and at DTU at DTU – Moving to Denmark .  

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than12 November 2021 (Danish time). Applications must be submitted as one PDF file containing all materials to be given consideration. To apply, please open the link "Apply online", fill out the online application form, and attach all your materials in English in one PDF file. The file must include:

• Application (cover letter)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)
• List of publications

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, disability, race, religion or ethnic background are encouraged to apply.

Section of Bioinformatics
The section of Bioinformatics within DTU Health Tech has its main research and teaching activities in bio-medical and bio-technological informatics, metagenomics, epidemiology, integrative systems biology and machine learning. The research at DTU Bioinformatics is focused on bioinformatics and computational analyses of large amounts of data generated within biological, biomedical and biotechnological and life sciences area. We strive to gain new knowledge and drive innovation in human, animal, plant and food science and collaborate with all relevant industries. A cornerstone in achieving this is the dedicated effort within DTU Bioinformatics to develop bioinformatics, immuno-informatics, metagenomics and systems biology methods and solutions to the challenge of handling and interpreting large scale and heterogeneous big data. We run projects combining big data and laboratory research via the national supercomputing center (Computerome) and molecular genomics laboratories.

DTU Health Tech engages in research, education, and innovation base on technical and natural science for the healthcare sector. The Healthcare sector is a globally expanding market with demands for the most advanced technological solutions. DTU Health Tech creates the foundation for companies to develop new and innovative services and products which benefit people and create value for society. DTU Health Techs expertise spans from imaging and biosensor techniques, across digital health and biological modelling, to biopharma technologies. The department has a scientific staff of about 210 persons, 130 PhD students and a technical/administrative support staff of about 160 persons, of which a large majority contributes to our research infrastructure and related commercial activities.

Technology for people
DTU develops technology for people. With our international elite research and study programmes, we are helping to create a better world and to solve the global challenges formulated in the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Hans Christian Ørsted founded DTU in 1829 with a clear vision to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That vision lives on today. DTU has 12,900 students and 6,000 employees. We work in an international atmosphere and have an inclusive, evolving, and informal working environment. DTU has campuses in all parts of Denmark and in Greenland, and we collaborate with the best universities around the world.