Are you experienced within data analysis, coding in R or Python and interested in running some machine learning experiments on chemical and biological data? Then you could be the person we are looking for.
In recent years we have begun to understand the importance of the environmental microbiome and air quality in the development of chronic inflammatory disorders in early life. We have recently described, how an adequate microbial maturation process during the first year of life can protect children from developing asthma and allergy and how the living environment, where you grow up is an important contributor as well. In the proposed three-year PhD project, we want to understand the mechanistic implications of these findings as well as how other health outcomes in childhood are affected by the early life microbiome and indoor/outdoor factors.
In a newly acquired HORIZON Europe project named EDIAQI (Evidence-driven indoor air quality improvement) together with 17 European partners,we aim to investigate the relationship between indoor air pollutants such as microorganisms and particles and chronic paediatric disease, but also airway related microbiota. In this project we work with sequenced microbial and household data from two retroactive and one prospective cohort consisting of over 1100 mother-child pairs collected longitudinally from pregnancy up through childhood including samples of bed dust, indoor and outdoor air pollutants and clinical data. We utilize lab and sequencing facilities with our collaborators, but we are mainly a data analysis group.
Copenhagen Prospective Studies on Asthma in Childhood (COPSAC) is an internationally renowned clinical translational research group consisting of approx. 45 clinical, scientific and administrative employees all dedicated to revealing the causes of childhood asthma, allergy and eczema, as well as other chronic diseases in children. We have extensive data from the children on the many aspects of these diseases including symptoms, but also their general health, their genetics, epigenetics, metabolomics, and immunological profiles.
As a PhD student at COPSAC you will:
- Join the microbiome group and contribute with the analysis of our complex clinical, environmental, and microbiological data
- Learn how to study the air pollution and environmental microbiome (from dust samples) in relation to health in childhood
- Set up machine learning experiments and use statistical analysis to investigate complex relationships in data
- Join a highly qualified team of microbiologists, bioinformaticians, medical doctors and clinicians
- Get the comprehensive support of a large administrative team of data managers, IT support, and fundraising
- Be part of a well-functioning and inspiring workplace with a sincere and fun atmosphere
- Get loads of opportunities for bouncing ideas off colleagues and seeking advice
Your profile likely includes the following:
- You have a master’s degree or equivalent experience, preferably within biology, bioinformatics, environmental sciences, chemistry, or other life science disciplines
- You have an affinity for data science and machine learning
- You have some first experience with R and/or Python
- You are curious and passionate and would like to be in the front line, where research makes a difference for sick children
- You’d like to join a team and help support the group, but are also comfortable working independently, exploring own ideas
Help make a difference
You will play a crucial role as a PhD student in a highly interdisciplinary research environment, which publishes scientific articles in the highest-ranking international journals. We have strong ambitions with plenty of space for sparring and professional development. You will work within a team of colleagues who are all passionate about their work and proud of their achievements. The research group is in the limelight, internationally, and the research topic enjoys great public interest. We have an amazing transnational and informal working environment, characterized by a pleasant atmosphere and frequent social activities.
COPSAC is part of GC-HSP and Professor Klaus Bønnelykke leads the Clinical Academic Group (CAG) entitled “Modulating the Infant Microbiome for Disease Prevention”. GCHSP is a new initiative to facilitate translational collaboration between basic scientists at University of Copenhagen and clinical researchers at the hospitals in Greater Copenhagen.
Are you interested?
If you want to know more about the position, please contact Mario Lovric(mario.lovric@dbac.dk) or Marianne Mikkelsen (+45 3867 3636) or read more about the research center at: www.copsac.com
Application deadline is December 31, 2022. Salary and employment will be by agreement and according to current rules in the Capital Region of Denmark
