Poznan University of Technology

From Bioptrain

Combinatorial Optimization Algorithms for Bioinformatics

Two 3 years Ph.D. fellowships supported by the European Commission are available starting on September 2005 with the Bioinformatic Laboratory group at the Poznan University of Technology under the supervision of Prof. Jacek Błażewicz.

The research project, part of the EU funded BIOPTRAIN program, aims at designing new combinatorial optimization algorithms for the analysis of bioinformatics data. Applications of particular interest include sequencing and assembling DNA chains with the use of isothermic libraries, genome restricion maps, prediction of protein secondary and tertiary structures, analysis of NMR spectra of RNA chains, pattern discovery in nucleotide sequences, virus vector analysis for vaccine design, evolutionary algorithms.

The ideal candidate will have a master's degree (or equivalent) with a background in one of the following areas: computer science, biology, or statistics, chemistry and physics. Knowledge of fundamental aspects of computer science (algorithms and data structures, discrete mathematics, programming languages) is required. Previous knowledge of combinatorial optimization or bioinformatics is highly desirable.

Fellows will be recruited under an employment contract and will benefit from travel and mobility allowances. Additional details about these highly prestigious positions (in particular, salary and eligibility) can be found in the EST Handbook — see inset. Women in particular are invited to apply. If several applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, EU rules on equal opportunities will be applied.

Applications should include your CV, a one-page statement of your research interests and motivations for pursuing Ph.D. studies, and contact information (including email addresses) for at least two references.

Please send your application preferably by email to bioptrain AT dsi DOT unifi DOT it (using PDF or plain text for your attachments) or by surface mail to:

Prof. Jacek Błażewicz
Poznan University of Technology
Institute of Computing Science
ul. Piotrowo 3a
60-965 Poznan, Poland
tel.:(48-61) 8782-375 or (48-61) 8790-790
fax.: (48-61) 8771-525 or (48-61) 8330-217

The deadline for applications is July 1st 2005. Selected finalists will be asked to participate in an interview.