We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate with a focus on microbiome and multi-omics analysis in large population cohorts Lifelines. This project is part of
ExposomeNL consortium, with the particular focus on studying the effect of environment and host factors on microbiome and health. For >8000 Lifelines participants the gut microbiome was profiled in 2017 (DOI: 10.1038/s41586-022-04567-7), and the data for the second timepoint 5 year later is currently being generated. The specific focus will be on effects of environmental stressors (e.g. pollutant chemicals, air pollution, socio-economic and demographic neighbourhood, etc) on human gut microbiome, metabolites, and other omics data. We combine the state-of-art exposome methodology, omics data expertise, and advanced statistical methodology to evaluate the individuals’ exposures to certain exposome parameters and further build a network of exposome-omics interactions.
The candidate will work in close collaboration with the members of the
Groningen Microbiome Hub. Our team includes more than 25 researchers working on various aspects of microbiome development and function in adult population cohorts, longitudinal mother-baby cohorts, and patients with various diseases. Metagenomic data in more than 10 thousand adult subjects is already generated and cleaned. Dietary data and extensive environment information is also available. The project is covered by the NWO (Dutch scientific organization) grant.
PhD student working on this project will be expected to:
- Integrate and analyse the genomic-, metagenomic-, metabolomics- and environment datasets.
- Design, develop, implement and maintain new algorithms, applications and infrastructure components.
- Summarize and report key analytical findings in both oral and written form at work meetings, at international scientific conferences and in scientific publications.
- Work in a team.