For bioinformatics assistance on studies on the epigenetic background of learning differences in great tits in the EpiBrain project, the Department of Animal Ecology is looking for a Bioinformatics assistant.

The van Oers group within the Department of Animal Ecology, studies the evolutionary genetic mechanisms underlying cognitive and personality expression, their role during development and the consequences for fitness. Within the project EpiBrain, we specifically are interested in the epigenetic mechnisms underlying variation in one of these cognitive traits, reversal learning. For this we are looking for an enthousiastic bioinformatics assistant.

Tasks:
You will provide hands-on bioinformatics support to EpiBrain researchers and to other research projects in the van Oers group. Your tasks will consist of conducting ATAC-seq and DNA methylation analyses, but may also include other genomics-related bioinformatics tasks. You will be supported by the NIOO Bioinformatics Unit (who provide the NIOO wide server infrastructure, facilitate research and offer general support on the use of bioinformatics) and the researchers within the van Oers group.

• Experience with working in a UNIX environment
• Proven ability to work with large next generation sequencing datasets
• Good programming skills, preferably Python and R
• Experienced with the best practice of reproducable data analysis, e.g. working with git, conda or snakemake
• Able to work independently
• Have excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience with working with epigenetic sequence data is a plus
• Interest in fundamental scientific research

Appointment based on Education/Research Officer 4 (job classification system UFO) (1.0 fte) with a salary that will be dependent on education and experience (Max. scale 7 CAO-VSNU).

This is a temporary contract for 1 year, with  starting date 1 March 2021.

Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO)

The Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW) is an Academy research institute. It conducts ecological research on land, in the ocean and in fresh water and studies how living organisms interact with one another and their environment. NIOO stimulates biodiversity and sustainability in nature and society through its worldwide network of researchers, policymakers, conservationists and other stakeholders.