PhD Scholarship in T Cell Receptor Immunoinformatics – DTU Health Tech

The Section of Bioinformatics, DTU Health Tech is world leading within Immunoinformatics and Machine-Learning. Currently, we are seeking a highly talented and motivated PhD student within the field of T cell receptor Immunoinformatics.

T cells form the cornerstone of adaptive immunity. T cell receptors (TCR) scrutinize the surface of cells for foreign peptides (epitope) presented in complex with MHC (Major histocompatibility complex) molecules. Identifying the rules defining the interaction of TCRs with their cognate pMHC target is thus at the foundation for our understanding of adaptive immunity and server as the basics for the development of novel vaccines and immune therapeutics.

Predicting TCR interactions is however extremely challenging due to not only the immense structural and sequence diversity of TCRs, but also the limited volume and low signal to noise ration of the currently available data.

This however is at the verge of changing. Novel experimental techniques are being proposed allowing for high throughput TCR-pMHC specificity data generation. Likewise, novel computational tools for protein structure prediction and structure/sequence embedded deep learning are being developed.

The PhD position will focus on these novel developments and use cutting edge (deep) machine learning and data mining to develop models for prediction of TCR interactions. The work will involve data driven methods for data denoising, and various types of (graph) neural networks to embed structural models and sequence representations of TCR into models for improved prediction of TCR specificity.

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. You will be working in a world leading research group within immunoinformatics in a team of highly engaged computational, bio/immunoinformatics, and machine learning scientists.

Responsibilities and qualifications
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.

You must have a two-year master’s degree (120 ECTS points) or a similar degree in one 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 immunoinformatics is a requirement
• A background within Deep learning and Structural biology is a plus
• Knowledge of the basic concepts of the cellular immune system is a plus
• 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

Approval and Enrolment
The scholarship for the PhD degree is subject to academic approval, and the candidate will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes at DTU. For information about our enrolment requirements and the general planning of the PhD study programme, please see DTU’s rules for the PhD education .

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 3 years with a starting date of 1 May 2025 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 . Furthermore, you have the option of joining our monthly free seminar “PhD relocation to Denmark and startup “Zoom” seminar ” for all questions regarding the practical matters of moving to Denmark and working as a PhD at DTU.

Application procedure
Your complete online application must be submitted no later than 15 March 2023 (Danish time). Apply online here: PhD Scholarship in T Cell Receptor Immunoinformatics .

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:

• A letter motivating the application (cover letter)
• Curriculum vitae
• Grade transcripts and BSc/MSc diploma (in English) including official description of grading scale

You may apply prior to ob­tai­ning your master’s degree but cannot begin before having received it.

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

All interested candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, disability, 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 Tech’s 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, 140 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 mission to develop and create value using science and engineering to benefit society. That mission lives on today. DTU has 13,400 students and 5,800 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.