Connectionists: Post-doctoral position in Machine Learning for Biological Networks

[Juho Rousu]

Post-doctoral position in Machine Learning for Biological Networks

Computational Systems Biology and Bioinformatics (CSBB, http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/group/sysfys/) research group at University of Helsinki, Department of Computer Science, has an opening for a 

POST-DOCTORAL RESEARCHER

in the field of machine learning for biological network inference. The position is funded by the EU FP7 project "BIO knowLEDGE Extractor and Modeller for Protein Production" (BIOLEDGE)  as well as the National Centre of Excellence in Algorithmic Data Analysis (ALGODAN), funded by Academy of Finland.

We expect the applicants to have a PhD (or to have submitted a dissertation for evaluation) in Computer Science, Statistics, Computational Biology or related field, with excellent publication record, as well as experience in one or more of the following fields:
- Kernel methods
- Machine learning for structured data
- Optimisation algorithms
- Large-scale data analysis

In addition, we value experience in the following:
- Biological network reconstruction
- Structured output prediction
- Gene function and interaction prediction

Excellent programming and technical skills, as well as excellent written and oral communication skills are required.

The successful candidate will join the CSBB research group to develop new machine learning methods and large-scale optimization algorithms for biological function and interaction prediction within the BIOLEDGE project (EU FP7, 2011-2015), a collaboration between Universities of Helsinki, Cambridge, Malaga as well as VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland and three SMEs.

Initially a 2-year contract will be offered. Salary is based on demand level 5 of the salary system of University of Helsinki, corresponding to monthly gross salary of 3151-3642 euro, depending on individual performance. An extension of the contract up to 4 years is possible, depending on performance and availability of funding. 

Department of Computer Science, University of Helsinki (http://www.cs.helsinki.fi/en/home) carries out basic and applied research in computer science, and offers advanced teaching based on that research. The department is top-ranked in its field in Finland and has been elected a national centre of excellence in higher education. The department offers an excellent environment for high-quality research, with several world-class research groups in the area of algorithms, machine learning and data mining. The department has a top-of-the-line infrastructure, for example a new large-scale computation cluster of ca. 1900 computation cores. University of Helsinki is within the top-20 Universities in Europe. It is continuously rated within top-100 in the world, e.g., according to http://www.arwu.org/ARWU2010.jsp.
Helsinki is named as number 1 city in Monocle`s annual Quality of Life survey 2011 http://t.co/P0jZFeR

Please send your application to Docent Juho Rousu at (rekry.bioledge[at]cs.helsinki.fi). Please include CV, transcripts of your studies, a statement of research interests, as well as names of possible referees. Applications received by September 23, 2011 will receive full consideration. 

For further information about the position, please contact 
Docent Juho Rousu 
Department of Computer Science
P.O Box 68
00014 University of Helsinki
tel: +358 50 415 1702
email: firstname.lastname[at]cs.helsinki.fi