A 3-year position is available to work as Genomics Data Analyst and Database Manager within the Language & Genetics Department of the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Job description

You will use state-of-the-art data analysis techniques to support studies of connections between genes, neuronal and brain functions, and behaviour. The overall focus is on the neurogenetics of language, cognitive and psychiatric variability and disorders. Progress in this area increasingly depends on the interrogation of very large datasets, and can involve brain imaging genetics data from thousands of participants, genome-wide sequencing, transcriptomic data, publically available bioinformatics databases and resources, neurocognitive test data, and meta-analysis. The successful candidate should be prepared to adapt flexibly as required to lend support to a variety of projects. The opportunity to lead the analysis of certain projects is also available. In addition, the position involves downloading, curating and managing data so that they are optimally available to others for a variety of projects.

You already hold, or shortly expect to obtain, a PhD qualification in a field which has given you hands-on knowledge of genomic data processing and analysis. You will be proficient in coding/scripting, as well as implementing existing data analysis pipelines. You will also have knowledge of widely applicable approaches to data analysis in R, such as mixed model regression and meta-analysis. Your skills and knowledge can be applied to genomic datasets as well as the use of bioinformatics resources. You should have a critical and careful approach to data processing, analysis, and organization.

The position is available from May 2019, with the exact start date negotiable. The term of appointment is full-time (39 hours per week) for three years, with a salary according to the German TVöD (starting salary €3,827.03 - €5,683 gross per month). The Institute is part of the German Max Planck Society, but it is located in the Netherlands. Scientists in the Netherlands report among the highest job satisfaction ratings of any in the world. The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer. Applications from women, people with disabilities and under-represented groups are particularly encouraged.

Language & Genetics Department

The Language and Genetics department is led by Simon E. Fisher, co-discoverer of FOXP2, the first gene to be implicated in a speech and language disorder. Within the department, you will be embedded in the Imaging Genomics group of Dr Clyde Francks. The department is located within the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, situated on the campus of the Radboud University Nijmegen, with close collaborative links with experts in neuroimaging at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour at Radboud University. The department also has extensive and multidisciplinary interactions with other expert departments of the MPI, and the Human Genetics Department of Radboud University, as well as networks of international collaborators. Our research aims to bridge the gaps between genes, brains, speech and language. We use the latest molecular technologies and analytic methods to integrate molecular genetics with cell biology, human neuroimaging, and experimental psychology. Our on-going research is described here: http://www.mpi.nl/departments/language-and-genetics. The Max Planck Society is an independent, non-governmental association of German-funded research institutes dedicated to fundamental research in the natural sciences, life sciences, social sciences, and the humanities.