EU-funded PhD student position in computer science with focus on computational pangenomics

The Computational Biology Research Group at Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia is looking for a motivated PhD student with interest in algorithms, data structures, and probabilistic modeling and their applications in bioinformatics to fill the PhD student position in H2020 funded project ALPACA (Algorithms for PAngenome - see https://alpaca-itn.eu/). The aim of the ALPACA project is to train 14 ESRs (early stage researchers) at 13 European institutions in bioinformatics with focus on challenges in pangenomics. You can find more information about the group, the ALPACA project, and about this position at http://compbio.fmph.uniba.sk

The successful candidate will work on an individual research project in the area of computational pangenomics at the Computational Biology Research Group in Bratislava, with several months of research visits to ALPACA partner organizations across Europe, also participating in a wide range of consortium-wide research and training activities. The position is fully funded for the period of 3 years.

Deadline for applications: February 15, 2021
Start date (indicative): September, 2021
Send applications by e-mail to: tomas.vinar@fmph.uniba.sk
Interviews: February-March 2021

Eligibility

To be eligible, the applicant must satisfy the following requirements set forth by Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA):

• must be eligible for PhD studies in a computer science program in Slovakia, i.e. must have finished or expect to finish master’s degree in computer science or a related discipline by the appointment start date,
• must have no more than four years of prior research experience after obtaining a degree allowing the applicant to pursue PhD degree (in country of degree completion or in Slovakia), and must not have yet completed a PhD degree,
• must not have resided or carried out main activity in Slovakia for more than 12 months in the 3 years preceding the appointment start date.

Conditions

The selected candidate will initially have a full-time employment contract for 6 months that will be extended to 36 months if they perform satisfactorily. The salary will be computed according to the MSCA rules and will amount to approximately 1900 EUR per month before taxes (approx. 2600 EUR per month including employment costs). Bratislava has low living expenses compared to other European cities. For applicants with dependents or a spouse, additional supplement is available. The selected candidate will apply for admission and maintain good standing in the computer science doctoral degree program at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics of Comenius University in Bratislava. Completing the degree takes 4-5 years and the candidates are expected to continue working towards their degree under the standard conditions after their contract expires.

Applications

Please, send your applications by e-mail. The application should include:

• Cover letter, including your motivation for applying for this position
• Detailed CV in English, including the list of scientific publications (if any) and achievements
• Contact details for two references
• Scanned copies of bachelor and master’s studies transcripts and degree completion certificates / diplomas