Your work environment

We will develop state-of-the-art statistical methods to jointly analyse large datasets, measuring both genetic activity and a phenotypic response. Both likelihood-based and Bayesian methods will be considered. This will be used to understand how oncogenic transformation impacts on the establishment and stability of sister chromatid cohesion, a fundamental biological phenomenon that we find corrupted in cancer cells. For this, data will be collected using genetic screens, which measure cell depletion due to gene knock-out per gene for the entire genome, as well as RNA expression.

This project is a collaboration between dr. Renee de Menezes from the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics (VUmc) with dr. Job de Lange and dr. Rob Wolthuis, both from the Oncogenetics section of the department of Clinical Genetics at VUmc Cancer Center Amsterdam (CCA), where wet experiments will be performed.

Your challenge

As a postdoc, you will develop state-of-the-art methods to jointly analyse large datasets consisting of counts, here the genetic screen and the RNA-seq data, considering:

• Count data distributions allowing for over-dispersion both for the response, as well as for the covariates;
• A many-to-many relationship between features in the two data sets (alterations in guide RNA abundance and gene expression levels);
• Allowing for testing for effects of conditions (treatment and oncogenic transformations).

Both frequentist as well as Bayesian frameworks will be considered.

We are looking for a postdoc with:

• A PhD in preferably Statistics, but Bioinformatics or a closely related discipline would also be considered if other skills are met;
• Good statistical knowledge enabling the development of new models and analysis tools;
• Programming skills and good R knowledge;
• The ability to explain complex ideas to biologists/non-specialists;
• The ability to work independently, as well as part of a multidisciplinary team;
• An affinity with genetics and biology.

Previous knowledge of any of the areas involved in the project (such as mixed-effects models, Bayesian statistics, high-dimensional data analysis) are an advantage.

Salary Scale POSTDOC: 2659 to 4216 euro gross when employed full-time (depending on qualifications and experience).

In addition to a good base salary, we offer, amongst others, an 8,3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday pay. For more information on our fringe benefits, please see our benefits www.werkenbijvumc.nl/vumc/arbeidsvoorwaarden/

For Dutch citizens it is mandatory to provide a VOG (Verklaring Omtrent Gedrag).