Department of Food Science invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Computational biology for food and health. The project is part of the research project First principal models, neural networks and functional graphical models for Defining metabolic capacity as a Tool for Personalized nutrition (FOODTOP), which is financed by the Novonordisk foundation Data Science initiative.
Start date is (expected to be) 1 January 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.
The project
Tailored dietary recommendation holds a promise for promoting health at the individual level beyond what is possible using population-wide recommendation. However, in order to provide detailed guidance, comprehensive information on personal lifestyle, genetics, microbiome etc. is needed.
This phd project will leverage from the deeply characterized COPSAC cohorts and develop data analytical methods for integration of microbiome and metabolomics with person characteristics both on a population level, as well as data driven sub-groups using e.g. methods as network LASSO. The methodology will hybrid both data driven approaches as well as informatic driven ones leveraging known structures from data bases.
Who are we looking for?
We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of computational biolgy, bioinformatics, statistics or similar. Applicants can have a background in data science, mathematics, bioinformatics etc. and preferably have knowledge on microbiome and metabolomics data tied to nutrition.
Our group and research – what do we offer?
The project will be carried out in a collaboration between Department of Food Science, Faculty of SCIENCE at university of Copenhagen and Copenhagen studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC). At department of Food Science, you will have access to a state-of-the-art research environment on metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatics. COPSAC is a clinical research unit conducting mother-child cohort studies. Both the COPSAC2000 (n = 411) and the COPSAC2010 (n = 700) cohorts will be a part of the data material for this study. The COPSAC team consists 40+ scientists from a range of disciplines spanning biologists, medical doctors, bioinformaticians, etc., and you will have daily access to these people. Collectively, we offer creative and stimulating working conditions in a dynamic and international research environment.
Principal supervisor is Professor, Morten Arendt Rasmussen (PhD, Msc), Department of Food Science, mortenr@food.ku.dk, +45 28 29 09 31, Co-supervisors Assistant Prof. Catalina Sinziana Cuparencu (PhD, Msc), Department of Nutrition Exercise and Sports and Associate Prof. Jakob Stokholm (PhD, MD) COPSAC.
The PhD programme
A three year full-time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme), if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.
Getting into a position on the PhD programme
Qualifications needed for the regular programme
To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Scientific Computing, Signal Processing, Applied Mathematics, or Machine Learning. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Terms of employment in the regular programme
Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.
Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculty of SCIENCE, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.
The terms of employment and salary are in accordance to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
Responsibilities and tasks in the PhD programmes
- Carry through an independent research project under supervision
- Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
- Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
- Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
- Write scientific papers aimed at high-impact journals
- Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project
We are looking for the following qualifications:
- Professional qualifications relevant to the PhD project
- Relevant publications
- Relevant work experience
- Other relevant professional activities
- Curious mindset with a strong interest in scientific computing and mathematical modeling
- Good language skills
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking APPLY NOW below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
- Your motivation for applying for the specific PhD project/State which PhD project you are applying for (ved multiopslag)/Project proposal
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
- Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
- Publication list (if possible)
- Reference letters (if available)
Application deadline:
The deadline for applications is 15 November 2024, at 23:59 GMT +1.
We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.
The further process
After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified, whether you will be passed for assessment.
The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in week 48.
Questions
For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.
General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.
The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.
