PhD Position: Understanding the genetic basis of tumorigenesis

6 May 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Centre for Genomic Regulation

Research Field

Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)
Recognised Researcher (R2)

Country

Spain

Application Deadline

31 May 2024 - 23:59 (Europe/Madrid)

Type of Contract

Other

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Reference Number

PID2021-128976NB-I00

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

The Institute 

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies. 

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research ' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code).  

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy  

The role 

We are looking for a PhD student candidate to join the 'Evolutionary Processes Modeling' group. The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and eager to work on evolutionary and biological problems and to learn about the use and development of computational, statistical and machine learning approaches. 

 
The Group 

Cancer is a genetic disease, subject to population genetics forces like mutation, selection and stochasticity. Our group is particularly interested in how the evolution and survival of cancer cell populations relies on mutation influx and in how we can identify cancer driver events from observed mutation data. To this end, we develop mathematical and computational approaches to estimate mutation rates, tumor growth dynamics and selection. Analysis of the mutational processes acting in cancer genomes allows us to learn about carcinogenic mutagens (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.12.06.570467v1 ), while studying the spatial genetic heterogeneity of tumors tells us about the tumor mode of growth (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2023.12.10.570995v1 ). Estimates of the strength of selection in cancer allow a prioritization of genes and non-coding regions by their disease relevance, with the ultimate goal of promoting therapeutic advances. Coding sequences of cancer tumors not only exhibit positively selected mutations that drive cancer (www.nature.com/articles/s41588-019-0572-y ), but there also exists a small fraction of genes that the tumor cannot afford to lose (www.nature.com/articles/ng.3987 ). In addition to genes, cancer driver loci can occur in the non-coding part of the genome (www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-00100-x ). 

We are also interested in mutation rates and selection inference in the context of human genetic variation, including polymorphisms (http://www.nature.com/articles/ng.3831 ; academic.oup.com/mbe/article-abstract/36/8/1701/5475505 ) and de novo variants (www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17162-z ). Here, a particular focus of the group lies on the description of purifying selection in humans and across species, accounting for mutational processes as well as the effects of genetic drift. 

The Evolutionary Processes Modeling lab was established in October 2018 and is part of the “Bioinformatics and Genomics” program at the CRG. Further information can be found at https://weghornlab.net/ and at www.crg.eu/en/programmes-groups/weghorn-lab . 

Candidates may address scientific enquiries to [email protected] . 

Whom would we like to hire?   

We are looking for a PhD student to join the lab to help elucidate cancer evolutionary dynamics using population genetics predictions and simulations together with published and unpublished cancer sequencing data. Research interests within the field of population genetics but outside this specific topic will also be considered. 

Must Have 

• The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and eager to work on biological problems using theoretical and computational approaches 

Education and training 

• Candidates should have a University Degree and a master's degree in physics, mathematics, statistics, genetics, bioinformatics, computer science or related disciplines within the European Higher Education System (minimum 300 ECTS) or equivalent by October 2024 

Languages 

• The candidate needs to be proficient in English 

Technical skills 

• You have experience with computer programming (preferably R and/or python) 

Competences   

• The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and eager to work on biological problems using theoretical and computational approaches. 

The Offer  

• Contract duration: 4-year PhD position  

• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales. 

• Target start date: October 2024. 

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section . 

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcome applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity. 

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and is offering extended vacation periods and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours. 

Application Procedure 

All applications must include: 

A motivation letter addressed to Dr Donate Weghorn. 

A complete CV including contact details of two referees. 

Transcripts from Bachelor and Master studies. 

Please apply via the following link: http://www.crg.eu/en/content/careers/job-opportunities  

All personal data requested by CRG from applicants will be treated in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act (15/13 December 1999). 

Selection Process 

• Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected in the candidates' CVs. It will be merit-based. 

• Interview: Pre-selected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and a selection panel if required. 

• Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is identified the Human Resources department will send a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary, working conditions, among other important details.  

Deadline: Please submit your application by May 31, 2024. 

Suggestions: The CRG believes in ongoing improvement and promotes a culture of feedback. This is one of the reasons we have in place, at your disposal as a candidate, a mechanism to gather your suggestions/complaints concerning your candidate experience in our recruitment processes. Your feedback really matters to us in our aim at creating a positive candidate journey. You can make a difference and help us improve by letting us know your suggestions through the following form. https://recruitment.crg.eu/webforms/recruitment-contact-form-suggestionscomplaints  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Requirements

Research Field

Other

Education Level

Master Degree or equivalent

Additional Information
Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Centre for Genomic Regulation

Country

Spain

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Barcelona

Postal Code

08003

Street

C/ Dr Aiguader 88

Where to apply

Website

https://recruitment.crg.eu/content/jobs/position/phd-position-understanding-gen…

Contact

State/Province

Barcelona

City

Barcelona

Website

http://www.crg.es

Street

C/ Dr Aiguader 88

Postal Code

08003

E-Mail

[email protected]

STATUS: EXPIRED