Researcher in Computational Biology - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

One-year position as Researcher in Computational Biology in the area of fungal degradation of soil organic compounds

Project description and work duties

The research tasks consist of analysis of transcriptomes expressed by fungi degrading soil organic compounds. The purpose of the project is to identify those genes and genetic networks that control the degradation of organic compounds (e.g. cellulose, pectin, protein, chitin) by ectomycorrhizal fungi. The process of degradation will be tracked in detail over time using spectroscopic methods (primarily FTIR and XPS) and transcriptome analysis based on RNA seq data. Statistical methods and machine learning tools will be used to identify modules of co-regulated genes that are expressed at different phases of the degradation. To elucidate the function of these modules, their expression will be linked to the extracellular degradation activity of the fungus and the predicted function of genes based on gene annotation in fungi.

The researcher will be part of Carl Troein's group and work closely with the groups of professors Anders Tunlid and Per Persson in the Department of Biology, and additionally be part of the multidisciplinary research program “Molecular Interactions Controlling soil Carbon Sequestration – MICCS”. The overall aim of the MICCS research project is to attain a mechanistic understanding of how the interactions of soil organic compounds, the activity of degrading microorganisms and the physical-chemical environment affect the stability of soil organic compounds. The MICCS research environment consists of a strong team of researchers, research engineers, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students who study soil organic compounds at varying degree of complexity and spatial resolution – from defined model systems to field studies – using modern technology such as spectroscopic methods, transcriptome analysis, isotope markers and systems biology. For further information, see http://miccs.info/.

Qualifications

The following are required:

• Postdoctoral experience of statistical analyses of transcriptome data from ectomycorrhizal fungi degrading soil organic compounds.
• Documented experience of analyses of RNA seq data from time series, including identification of functionally linked, coregulated gene modules.
• Fluent English (written and spoken).

The following are meriting:

• Ability to perform research tasks both independently and as part of a research group.

Application procedure

The application should contain the following parts:

• CV including copy of Phd diploma, the title of the thesis, previous positions, present position and academic achievements (two page maximum)
• Complete list of publications
• Short description of current research (one page maximum)
• Name and contact information for at least three references.