Two PhD Positions in Statistical Genetics

Do you like to analyze complex data at the intersections of genetics, biology and neuroscience? Do you want to work in an ambitious team at the department of Complex Trait Genetics of the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research?

Two PhD Positions in Statistical Genetics

The Complex Trait Genetics lab (www.ctglab.nl) headed by Prof Danielle Posthuma at the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research in Amsterdam is seeking applicants for two PhD positions in Statistical Genetics. The successful candidates will be part of the BRAINSCAPES consortium, a 10-year nationwide collaboration funded by the Dutch Government (Gravitation Program, 2020-2030), and led from the department of Complex Trait Genetics. The main aim of BRAINSCAPES is to gain mechanistic insight into brain disorders by leveraging results from recent genetic discoveries, utilizing large-scale bioinformatic resources, and testing genetically informed hypotheses in experimental studies. The candidates will focus on generating GWAS results from multiple brain related traits and interpreting results in biological context. Depending on the background of the candidate(s), these positions can have an accent on the statistical and computational part, or the bioinformatic part of analyzing GWAS data. The candidate(s) will work in an enthusiastic team of PhD students and postdocs, with diverse backgrounds, including statistics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, neuroscience, psychology and stem cell biology.

The successful candidates should have a solid statistical background and be familiar with statistical or behavioral genetics. Experience in coding (R, UNIX) is a pré.

Your duties

• conduct genome-wide association studies, and use statistical genetic and bioinformatic tools to interpret GWAS results in biological context
• actively take part in the BRAINSCAPES consortium including frequent contact with other, mostly neuroscience oriented, labs
• authoring and co-authoring manuscripts submitted to high quality journals
• some support (10% of time) with teaching is expected
• frequently present work at international community (at conference calls, or conferences)

Your profile

• MSc in any of the following fields: statistical or behavioral genetics, bioinformatics, computational biology or related computational field
• a good ability to write and read English
• experience with Python, the R statistical language and working in a UNIX environment is preferred
• support ‘open science’: share tools and data with the wider scientific community

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

What we offer

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

• a salary of € 2.901,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.707,00 (PhD) gross per month in the fourth year, for a full-time employment
• an employment contract of initially 1 year. If there is sufficient perspective, this will be extended to a total of 4 years. Your dissertation at the end of the fourth year forms the end of your employment contract.

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and arrangements. Some examples:

• a full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata
• 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
• solid pension scheme (ABP)
• contribution to commuting expenses
• optional model for designing a personalized benefits package

About us

Department of Complex Trait Genetics
Research at the department of Complex Trait Genetics focuses on identifying the genetic mechanisms of brain-related traits. We develop novel statistical and bioinformatics tools to optimally analyze large genome-wide data sets for complex traits, combine them with biological data and generate hypotheses that can be tested in functional studies to obtain mechanistic insight.

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research.

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility. Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.