Postdoctoral researcher / Cancer Data Science

Doctoral Researcher / Cancer Data Science

Background

A 2.5-year postdoctoral position with flexible starting date is available in the Cancer Data Science group led by Associate Professor Mariike Kuijjer at iCAN Flagship in Digital Precision Cancer Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki. The project will focus on developing approaches for gene regulatory network modeling on deconvoluted bulk data, with applications to pan-cancer data network analysis.

The Kuijjer group, established in 2018 at the University of Oslo, has recently expanded to the University of Helsinki. The group specializes in developing computational methods to understand the regulatory mechanisms driving cancer heterogeneity and progression by integrating genomic data into genome-wide regulatory networks. Current projects include (i) modeling distal regulatory interactions, (ii) modeling networks based on single-cell and spatial omics data, and (iii) integrating regulatory profiles with multi-modal data. These efforts aim to uncover regulatory mechanisms behind cancer and to develop predictive models of cancer outcomes and treatment resistance. For more information, visit kuijjerlab.org.

The advertised project focuses on extending network modeling approaches developed in the Kuijjer group to model patient- and cell type-specific gene regulatory networks based on bulk cancer data, and use this to investigate cancer type-specific and pan-cancer rewiring of gene regulatory networks in various cell types. The research will leverage a large in-house dataset from iCAN, complemented by publicly available data. These efforts aim to uncover in more detail regulatory processes contributing to cancer.

The candidate

We seek a highly motivated candidate with a track record of statistical models, network science, and/or computational tool development dedicated to the analysis of of high-throughput genomics data, comparative genomics, functional genomics, or a related field. The candidate should be excited about applying computational tools to answer questions in biology. The ideal candidate is collaborative and creative, has strong programming skills dedicated to the analysis of large-scale genomics data, and has a strong publication record.  Experience with analysis of large-scale genomic data sets is a requirement for this position. Experience with data integration, machine learning, network science, cancer biology, and/or gene regulation is considered an advantage. The position is open to applicants with a PhD in computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, cancer genomics, network science, or related fields.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is made for a period of two and a half years with possible extension depending on future funding.

Qualification requirements

•    PhD degree in computational biology, bioinformatics, computer science, biostatistics, cancer genomics, or a related field. Applicants with a background in biology or (bio)medicine are welcome to apply, provided they have documented expertise in computational biology
•    Proficiency in programming (such as Python, R, Bash)
•    The candidate is required to have documented research experience with large-scale omics data analysis
•    Experience with high performance computing is a strong advantage
•    Knowledge of multi-modal data integration, gene regulation, cancer, and/or network biology is considered an advantage
•    Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to develop and maintaining computational tools for biological data analysis
•    Teamwork skills and the willingness to collaborate, share ideas, and contribute to a multidisciplinary research environment that spans two Nordic countries, with active groups in both Helsinki and Oslo
•    Strong communication skills in English, with both written and verbal proficiency

We offer

•    We offer a salary of 3 534,00 – 4 338,29 €/month depending on the candidate's qualifications
•    A professional, stimulating working environment
•    The University of Helsinki also offers comprehensive services to its employees, including occupational health care and health insurance, unemployment and pension fund, a generous holiday package, sports facilities, and opportunities for professional development: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/about-us/careers.

How to apply

The application, including attachments, must be delivered through the electronic recruiting system. The application must include:
(1) A cover letter, stating your motivation, scientific background, and research interests. Please highlight the specifics of how you match the required expertise in the cover letter
(2) A detailed CV with a list of publications
(3) 2-3 references (name, institution, e-mail, telephone number, and relation to the candidate)

These should be uploaded in .pdf format. Please submit your application through the web-based recruitment system linked in the announcement. While the recruitment system includes a basic CV, we ask candidates to also include a separate, detailed CV in .pdf format with their application. Applications without a cover letter and/or detailed CV will be rejected. The closing date for applications is 31.5.2025.

The University of Helsinki welcomes applicants of any gender and age, linguis-tic or cultural background, or minority group.

Click this link to read about accessibility and inclusivity at our University.

Contact information

Inquiries about the position can be directed to Mariike Kuijjer.

About us

The Faculty of Medicine promotes high quality scientific research. It provides research-based undergraduate and postgraduate education in medicine, dentistry, psychology and logopedics, and an international Master's Programme in Translational Medicine. It also offers psychotherapist education. In addition to its teaching and research activities, the faculty serves as a significant expert organisation in the healthcare sector and contributes to the discourse on ethics in the field. The faculty aims to be one of the best medical research faculties in the world, while reinforcing its status as a distinguished institution of multidisciplinary education in healthcare.
The Faculty of Medicine at the University of Helsinki constitutes the academic medical centre together with HUS Helsinki University Hospital and the Helsinki Institute of Life Science (HiLIFE). This medical centre has been successful in international comparisons, ranking among the top 10 medical campuses in Europe and the top 50 globally.

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