Postdoc / Research Assistant in Germline-Somatic Continuum of Childhood Cancer

If you are passionate about understanding the genetic variation and mutational landscape that leads to establishment of cancer, and are excited about applying computational approaches towards understanding disease hallmarks, have a conversation with us to see if this position is for you. The ideal candidate is looking for a one-year position following a PhD or early postdoctoral training, although high achieving masters students are also welcome to apply as a research assistant.

Responsibilities and qualifications
This position, based at the Technical University of Denmark, is in close collaboration with the paediatric oncology and clinical genetics departments at Copenhagen University Hospital. In addition to funding from the Danish Childhood Cancer Foundation, this work collaborates closely with the  Interregional Childhood Oncology Precision Medicine Exploration (iCOPE) project, a cross-Oresund collaboration between University Hospital Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Lund University, Region Skåne and Technical University Denmark (DTU), supported by the European Regional Development Fund.

The project will work with whole genome sequencing and genome-wide SNP data characterising the germline, as well as bulk transcriptomic sequencing data characterising the tumour, on Danish and Nordic children with cancer.

Goals of the project include:

• Understanding how a combined and diverse landscape of germline variation and acquired somatic mutations contribute to establishment of cancer
• Correlating findings in the context of cancer hallmarks, key pathways and DNA repair processes
• Using AI models to predict and understand treatment outcome with patients’ mutational background

As the ideal candidate for this position, you will have a strong foundation or interest in cancer biology, and have proven computational skills in R or Python as well as experience in working in high-performance computing environments with substantial data volumes. Shell scripting and database skills are an advantage as is the ability to analyse NGS data.

You will work at the Section for Bioinformatics and DTU Health Technology, interacting with other bioinformatics colleagues, and will work closely with a PhD student working on similar project goals, as well as interact with the larger computational and clinical childhood cancer research groups.

A collaborative mindset is expected as well as a proven ability to work in teams and communicate scientific research through presentations and submitted manuscripts. Working independently and charting research direction are valued. If you are highly driven, you will have opportunities to write grants for further strengthening research opportunities and participate in the broader collaboration with childhood cancer.

As a formal qualification, you must hold a PhD degree or equivalent (postdoc position) or a master’s degree in engineering or equivalent (research assistant position).

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 12 months. Starting date is as soon as possible. 

You can read more about career paths at DTU here .

Further information
Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Ramneek Gupta, [email protected] , Professor MD Kjeld Schmiegelow, [email protected] or PhD student Marianne Helenius, [email protected] . 

You can read more about DTU Health Tech a t 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 than 28 February 2022 (Danish time). Applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. 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 (please indicate which position you apply for)
• CV
• Academic Diplomas (MSc/PhD)
• List of publications

In the field “Please indicate which position you are applying for”, please indicate whether you are applying for the position as Postdoc or Research Assistant .

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

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

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.