As a computational biologist, you will be responsible for analyzing large genomics datasets to identify prognostic features in DCIS and better understand DCIS biology.  You will work closely with both colleagues at NKI and with international collaborators from the PRECISION initiative.
You are embedded in the Wesseling Lab and the Wessels Lab at the Netherlands Cancer. The Wesseling’ lab overarching research focus is to develop new strategies to substantially improve the prognostic and predictive power of breast cancer pathology and to understand the underlying biology. The Wessels’ lab focus is on developing computational approaches to understand cancer progression and treatment responses. You will discuss results with our teams, publish your work in biomedical journals, and present it at international conferences.

Background
Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) may progress to invasive breast cancer (IBC), but about 3 out of 4 never will. We cannot reliably distinguish the minority of high-risk, potentially progressive DCIS lesions from the low-risk, harmless ones in current practice. Consequently, almost all women with DCIS are treated with surgery, often supplemented by radiotherapy, to prevent progression to IBC. Therefore, there is an urgent need to distinguish the high- from low-risk lesions to avoid overtreatment of the latter ones. This is not trivial as DCIS is a widespread finding in women, primarily due to the introduction of population-based breast cancer screening, comprising up to 25% of all newly diagnosed breast 'malignancies.' Within the Grand Challenge PRECISION project (https://cancergrandchallenges.org/teams/precision ) we generated large genomics datasets of over 500 DCIS lesions. In addition, we collected digital HE slides and immunohistochemistry data. The successful candidate will focus on the large genomics datasets collected within the PRECISION project. The first aim is to integrate the RNAseq data with sophisticated AI-algorithms operating on HE-slides. As such, we can use RNAseq to better understand the biology captured by the AI models for DCIS. Second, within the PRECISION project, we developed an RNA-based risk classifier and the successful candidate will undertake the steps required to prepare this classifier for clinical implementation. 

We are seeking a highly motivated bioinformatician with:

• A degree in bioinformatics, computer science or a related discipline
• Experience with high-throughput data analysis, especially sequencing data     
• Proficiency in bioinformatics programming languages (e.g. R, Python) 
• Good cross-disciplinary collaborative and communication skills 
• Experience in cancer biology and clinical applications is a plus

Experience in cancer biology and clinical applications is a plus.

Fixed-term contract: 3 years.

The gross salary per month will range from € 3.115- to a maximum of € 4.391,- depending on your previous work experience. The terms of employment will be in accordance with the CAO Ziekenhuizen (Collective Labour Agreement for Hospitals) FWG 55.

Your travel expenses will be reimbursed at € 0,19 per km. Free parking at the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek is also part of the package. Personnel is stimulated to use public transport and bicycle and therefore we offer an interesting arrangement for bikers and/or discount on the NS-business card. 

For more information in regards to the secondary conditions please visit our website: https://www.nki.nl/careers-study/how-to-apply/.