PhD Positions in Bioinformatics (Computer Science PhD program)

PhD student positions are available at the Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics of Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia to work on algorithmic, probabilistic modeling, and machine learning problems in bioinformatics under the direction of Dr. Brona Brejova and Dr. Tomas Vinar. Starting date is September 2020.

The Computational Biology Research Group at Comenius University in Bratislava is focused on problems related to DNA sequencing and comparative genomics. Even though our group is computational, we collaborate closely with biology groups in Slovakia and abroad on genome sequencing and other projects. In recent years, we were involved in the analysis of marmoset genome, orangutan genome, marine mammal genomes, turtle genome and others.

Faculty: http://www.fmph.uniba.sk/ Research group: http://compbio.fmph.uniba.sk/

Thesis topics

The following preliminary thesis topics are available:

  • Computational methods for processing genomic data and third generation sequencing (possible involvement in the international project PANGAIA)
  • Improving detection of genomic variability by employing pangenomes (in collaboration with company Geneton, involvement in the international project PANGAIA, possibility of additional scholarship)
  • Computational deconvolution of factors contributing to multiple sclerosis (in collaboration with Dr. Bibiana Bielekova, NIH / National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, USA)
  • Machine learning approaches to prediction of tissue-specific gene regulation (in collaboration with prof. Igor Jurisica, University of Toronto, Canada)

Requirements

Candidates should have a master degree in computer science or a related discipline, good programming skills and strong background in algorithms and probability. Candidates with master degree in progress should expect completion of their degree in August 2020 at the latest. Prior knowledge of biology is not necessary but welcome.

Duration and Funding

The positions are for four years. The students are funded with a scholarship between 9700 and 11300 EUR per year (tax-free) depending on seniority; additional supplements are possible for participation in specific research projects or through collaboration with commercial partners. Research travel expenses are funded through research grants. University provides affordable student residence housing. Teaching of approx. 4 hours per week is a required component of the studies.

Applications

Deadline for applications is April 30, 2020. For informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Tomas Vinar [tomas.vinar@fmph.uniba.sk] or Dr. Brona Brejova [brejova@dcs.fmph.uniba.sk]. We will help strong candidates to navigate through the application process.