Connectionists: Postdoc and PhD positions in machine learning and bioinformatics

[Sami Kaski]

Postdoc and PhD positions in MACHINE LEARNING AND BIOINFORMATICS

Helsinki University of Technology

We are looking for two postdocs and two PhD students to join a
research group working on machine learning and probabilistic modeling,
with applications in bioinformatics and information retrieval. The
Machine Learning and Bioinformatics Group
(http://www.cis.hut.fi/projects/mi) belongs to the Adaptive
Informatics Research Centre and the Helsinki Institute for Information
Technology, Helsinki University of Technology, Finland.

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Postdoc #1: Modeling of biological networks.

The goal is to develop probabilistic models of graphs and relational
data, applied to interaction networks and in particular interactions
of biological molecules ("interactomics"). This is an exciting chance
of doing fundamental research on new types of graphical models while
solving a key problem in computational biology with them. Keywords:
graphical models, MCMC, approximate reasoning, relational models. 

2 years, starting date 1.1.2008 or flexibly thereafter. Salary range
2466.30 - 4278.11 Euro per month.

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PhD student #1: New project on Computational data fusion of multiple
biological information sources and background data.

The application is cancer studies, where genomic structural variation
and gene expression are key sources of cues. In this challenging
project we are developing new probabilistic models for finding
dependencies between data sources and for finding and incorporating
relevant background data to focus the models. In collaboration with
University of Helsinki and European Bioinformatics Institute, Hinxton,
UK.

4 years, starting date 1.1.2008 or flexibly thereafter. Salary range
1678.36 - 3130.40 Euro per month. The project can be started by MSc
thesis work.

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Postdoc #2 and PhD student #2: Machine learning.

These positions have a more flexible scope. We are willing to consider
outstanding candidates interested in any of the research themes of the
group, either fundamental or applied research on machine
learning. Possible themes include data fusion by modeling of
dependencies between data sets, supervised unsupervised learning and
discriminative generative modeling, multitask learning, models of
networks, information visualization, bioinformatics, neuroinformatics,
and proactive information retrieval based on eye movements and other
implicit feedback data. For more details see the web pages.

Postdoc: 1 year + option for extension, salary range 2466.30 - 4278.11
Euro per month. PhD student: 4 years, salary range 1678.36 - 3130.40
Euro per month. Starting date 1.1.2008 or flexibly thereafter. The PhD
project can be started by MSc thesis work.

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All positions require a relevant degree, and skills in a subset of the
following fields: computer science, programming, machine learning,
statistics, mathematics, and bioinformatics.

In Helsinki you will join the innovative international computational
data analysis and ICT community. Among European cities, Helsinki is
special in being clean, safe, liberal, Scandinavian, and close to
nature, in short, having a high standard of living. English is spoken
everywhere.

Please attach a CV including a list of publications, copy of study
records (PhD students), and email addressses of 2-3 people willing to
give more information. Include a brief description of research
interests and send the application by email to

Samuel Kaski, samuel.kaski at tkk.fi
Professor of Computer Science
Helsinki University of Technology
http://www.cis.hut.fi/sami