We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher interested in joining the fight against COVID-19 and contributing to the project “WikiPathways as a platform for COVID-19 pathway models” recently granted by the Dutch ZonMw funds. We focus on identifying underlying mechanisms explaining the differences in host immune response, disease severity and detection of mechanisms for targeted (drug) treatment.

Within this project, your main tasks combine the curation of existing and novel COVID-19 related molecular pathway models with data analysis of different kinds of -omics data using pathway and network analysis approaches. You are expected to present and publish the results and collaborate with other scientists within the COVID-19 Disease Map project. Additional requirements are readiness to take on smaller administrative and educational duties within the department.

In short, the function includes:

1. COVID-19 related molecular pathway curation
2. Evaluation and improvement of current curation process
3. Bioinformatics data analysis using pathway and network approaches
4. Publishing results in scientific journals
5. Collaboration with other researchers in the WikiPathways and the COVID19 Disease Maps project
6. Contribution to grant writing activities to bring funding to the lab

Taking on educational roles at Maastricht University

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher.

• A PhD degree (already completed or to be completed shortly) in biomedical sciences, immunology, virology, bioinformatics, data science, or a closely related field.
• Background in immunology and infectious diseases is an advantage.
• Experience in pathway curation and data analysis (specifically pathway and network analysis) is an advantage.
• Proficiency in presenting and writing scientific publications.
• Proven organizational skills and professional behavior to communicate and collaborate within an international project consortium.

Fixed-term contract: 22 months.

The position is temporary for the duration of 22 months, staring as soon as possible. Depending on experience and qualification, the gross monthly salary is scale 10 (max. € 4.402,-), based on a full-time appointment.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website http://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees.

Maastricht University

Maastricht University is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 18,000 students and 4,400 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Department of Bioinformatics

The Department of Bioinformatics (https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/bioinformatics) has a dedicated, young, interdisciplinary team working in close collaboration with other scientists and institutions. Founded by Prof. dr. Chris Evelo in 2001, the research group is part of the NUTRIM School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism at the Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences at Maastricht University.

The department is involved in (inter)national initiatives to analyze, collect, share and integrate biological data. It uses a range of new methods and tools. These include:

• high-throughput data analysis workflows
• bioinformatics and cheminformatics software
• structuring and collecting biological processes in WikiPathways
• pathway analysis in PathVisio
• network analysis in Cytoscape
• semantic web tools using RDF, ontologies and SPARQL
• FAIR data solutions
• web services for all the above

NUTRIM - School of Nutrition and Translational Research in Metabolism

NUTRIM aims to contribute to health maintenance and personalised medicine by unraveling lifestyle and disease-induced derangements in metabolism and by developing targeted nutritional, exercise and drug interventions.

This is facilitated by a state of the art research infrastructure and close interaction between scientists, clinicians, master and PhD students.

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/research/school-nutrition-and-translational-research-metabolism