We are looking for a computational biologist/bioinformatician who is highly motivated, well organized, and dynamic with a high level of independence and creative thinking but a flexible research approach:
1. You need to have a PhD with a topic in one of the following areas: Bioinformatics, computational biology, systems biology or similar.
2. Experience with computational immunology and/or single-cell omics is an added advantage.
3. You should be able to demonstrate following skills: Analysing and deciphering transcriptomic/genomic data, deriving systems biology-driven networks from omics data, proficiency with computational programming (e.g. R language/Python), analysis of publicly available cancer genetic expression datasets, and skills in application of statistical approaches to biological problems (e.g. statistical testing, linear modelling).
4. A proven and successful publication track record in this field.
5. High intrinsic motivation and a strong scientific curiosity.
6. Ability to be inventive and to present novel ideas in method development, data analysis and interpretation.
7. Team player that can work independently in a multidisciplinary (international) team.
8. Excellent oral and written English communication skills.
9. Proactive, flexible, and problem-solving attitude.
10. Experience in working with deadlines and being involved in multiple projects.
11. In your role as a bioinformatics scientist, you will focus on application of (advanced) computational and bioinformatics methods to cancer tumour expression data (bulk RNAseq, single-cell RNAseq and spatial omics datasets), in-sync with clinical patient data to ultimately derive results relevant for immuno-oncology and cancer immunotherapy. Eventually these analyses pipelines will drive creation of new immune landscape scoring metrices via state-of-the-art machine learning approaches.
12. Overall, you will have the unique opportunity to shape as well as lead a high-impact immuno-oncology relevant computational/bioinformatics initiative aiming to create new biomarkers, mine innovative immunotherapy targets and valorise them toward the clinic. While spearheading this exciting and state-of-the-art research initiative, you will also be expected to have good communication skills, a highly collaborative spirit and willingness to work in collaboration with several different teams and entrepreneurs. You will also be expected to work independently whilst collaborating with multiple teams involved in this platform.
13. You should be able to organize and troubleshoot your work independently, document it thoroughly and communicate results and experience with the team in a transparent and professional manner.
The teams of Prof. Abhishek D Garg (Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, KU Leuven) and Prof. Stefan Naulaerts (Department of Oncology, KU Leuven) are seeking a suitable postdoctoral-level candidate with specialization in bioinformatics or computational biology approaches, with special preference for single-cell analyses. The teams of Prof. Garg and Prof. Naulaerts aim to apply advanced bulk-transcriptomics, single-cell omics and spatial omics approaches in the context of a ground-breaking immuno-oncology “platform”. The role is embedded within an upcoming platform aiming to facilitate successful academia-to-industry valorization trajectories within the context of a collaboration between the teams of Prof. Garg/Naulaerts and PharmAbs. For more information, see these websites: https://abhishek-d-garg.wixsite.com/csi-lab; https://research.kuleuven.be/portal/en/unit/58086660?hl=nl&lang=nl; https://lrd.kuleuven.be/pharmabs. The aim of Prof. Garg’s team is to capitalize on multi-omics cancer patient data and apply highly relevant computational immunology and systems biology approaches to shed light on clinically relevant biomarkers and immunotherapeutic pathways. Prof. Naulaerts’ team aims to build novel databases and software suites to lower the barrier to computational analysis of clinical data modalities and to provide accurate in-depth simulations of disease evolution with associated patient stratification. This position will be embedded in the context of intense collaboration between these two dynamic teams, which will provide sufficient growth as well as training opportunities together with high success probability. Selected publications: Kinget, L., Naulaerts, S., Govaerts, J., Vanmeerbeek, I., Sprooten, J., Laureano, R.S., Dubroja, N., Shankar, G., Bosisio, F.M., Roussel, E., Verbiest, A., Finotello, F., Ausserhofer, M., Lambrechts, D., Boeckx, B., Wozniak, A., Boon, L., Kerkhofs, J., Zucman-Rossi, J., Albersen, M., Baldewijns, M., Beuselinck, B., Garg, A.D. (2024). A spatial architecture-embedding HLA signature to predict clinical response to immunotherapy in renal cell carcinoma. NATURE MEDICINE, 30 (6). doi: 10.1038/s41591-024-02978-9 Naulaerts, S., Datsi, A., Borras, D.M., Martinez, A.A., Messiaen, J., Vanmeerbeek, I., Sprooten, J., Laureano, R.S., Govaerts, J., Panovska, D., Derweduwe, M., Sabel, M.C., Rapp, M., Ni, W., Mackay, S., Van Herck, Y., Gelens, L., Venken, T., More, S., Bechter, O., Bergers, G., Liston, A., De Vleeschouwer, S., Van den Eynde, B.J., Lambrechts, D., Verfaillie, M., Bosisio, F., Tejpar, S., Borst, J., Sorg, R., De Smet, F., Garg, A.D. (2023). Multiomics and spatial mapping characterizes human CD8+T cell states in cancer. SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE, 15 (691), Art.No. ARTN eadd1016. doi: 10.1126/scitranslmed.add1016 Borras, D.M., Verbandt, S., Ausserhofer, M., Sturm, G., Lim, J., Verge, G.A., Vanmeerbeek, I., Laureano, R.S., Govaerts, J., Sprooten, J., Hong, Y., Wall, R., De Hertogh, G., Sagaert, X., Bislenghi, G., D'Hoore, A., Wolthuis, A., Finotello, F., Park, W-Y., Naulaerts, S., Tejpar, S., Garg, A.D. (2023). Single cell dynamics of tumor specificity vs bystander activity in CD8+ T cells define the diverse immune landscapes in colorectal cancer. CELL DISCOVERY, 9 (1), Art.No. ARTN 114. doi: 10.1038/s41421-023-00605-4 Vanmeerbeek, I., Naulaerts, S., Sprooten, J., Laureano, R.S., Govaerts, J., Trotta, R., Pretto, S., Zhao, S., Cafarello, S.T., Verelst, J., Jacquemyn, M., Pociupany, M., Boon, L., Schlenner, S.M., Tejpar, S., Daelemans, D., Mazzone, M., Garg, A.D. (2024). Targeting conserved TIM3+VISTA+ tumor-associated macrophages overcomes resistance to cancer immunotherapy. SCIENCE ADVANCES, 10 (29), Art.No. ARTN eadm8660. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adm8660
14. A full-time contract for one year with the possibility to extend (at least) 4 more years thereafter. You are stimulated to apply for a personal postdoctoral funding.
15. The position is immediately available.
16. (Early) access to state-of-the-art as well as novel machine learning methodologies.
17. A stimulating (international, multidisciplinary) research environment where quality, professionalism and team spirit are encouraged.
18. The ability to work on scientifically exceptional and highly valorisable, state-of-the-art initiatives with immediate implications for both industry as well as clinic.
19. The opportunity to be part of two scientific laboratories as well as a world-class valorization platform (PharmAbs) thereby providing a meaningful contribution to immuno-oncology research.
20. The KU Leuven is one of the most innovative universities in Europe. Leuven is located 20 min. from Brussels, in the centre of Europe.