Do you thrive in the cross-field between data science and bioinformatics? Can you see yourself in a multipartner research collaboration including universities and public health institutions? Do you want to see your research implemented in future public health practices? If so, we have something for you.

Job description
The section for Foodborne Infections, department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, is currently looking for a postdoctoral fellow/researcher to participate in a large collaborative research project. We are part of the new EMBARQ project, a Center of Excellence funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. In a collaborative effort involving multiple partner institutions, the project will embark on a journey into a novel understanding of the composition and characteristics of microbiomes in complex sample types, such as feces, sewage-water and soil. As part of this project, novel AI-driven tools will be developed for use in the analyses.

The successful candidate will help drive the research and development effort within development, validation and implementation of models for prediction of virulence, based on a data foundation of approximately 100.000 bacterial genomes. The project is embedded within a strong team with high ambitions regarding development of new techniques for understanding microbial characterization, optimization of the use of NGS data for surveillance and investigation of bacteria, with special emphasis on gastrointestinal pathogens.

Education, experience and personal qualifications
You have a master´s degree and a PhD in a relevant field, ideally with experience in machine learning and DNA sequence analysis. Furthermore, you are familiar with, or master most of the following:

• Programming: Python and e.g. TensorFlow, PyTorch and/or SciKitLearn
• Machine Learning: Model training and validation, parameter selection and encoding, autoencoders
• AI: e.g. CNN, RNN, GANN, transfer learning

Please note that your master’s degree must be equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (two years 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc + 180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc).

We offer you inspiring colleagues and flexible working conditions
You will work with various scientific disciplines in an inspiring workplace. You will be a part of an institute offering flexible working conditions and the opportunity to work with pressing issues as part of a modern public health system.

We are a family friendly workplace with a 37-hour working week incl. lunch break. In addition to this, we have an active sports association (IK-SERA) with exercise rooms, a staff association and an affiliated kindergarten. We are located in Copenhagen with good public transport options (bus and metro).

About us
Statens Serum Institut (SSI) is under the auspices of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Health. Our main duty is to ensure preparedness against infectious diseases and biological threats as well as control of congenital disorders. Our mission is to strengthen health through disease control and research.

The position is placed in the Section for Foodborne Infections, Department for Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi at Statens Serum Institut. The section is monitoring foodborne bacterial infections in humans, antibiotic resistance in bacteria and providing specialized diagnostic testing.

You will be part of a multidisciplinary team with bioinformaticians, veterinarians, microbiologists, molecular biologists and laboratory technicians.

At Statens Serum Institut, the aim is to constantly follow the latest developments in order to provide first-class surveillance and reach within the field.

Terms os employment
Employment will be in accordance with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Federation of Professional Associations and the Danish Ministry of Finance’s circular concerning the job structure for scientific staff performing research at Danish sector research institutions.

You will be employed as a postdoctoral researcher.

The position can start 1st of September or as soon as possible thereafter and is limited to 2 years.

Further information?
For further information about the positions, please contact Consultant Kristoffer Kiil (KRKI@ssi.dk, +45 3268 3396) or Head of Section Eva Møller Nielsen (emn@ssi.dk , +45 3268 3644).

Are you interested?
Click “apply” to send your job application.

Your application must include a cover letter describing your motivation, CV (including education and experience), list of publications in peer-reviewed journals, transcript of university examinations (in English or Danish), and names and contact details for two job references. An expert committee will assess the applicant’s research qualifications.