About the team/job

We are seeking a highly motivated computational biologist to join the research group of Peer Bork within the Molecular Systems Biology Unit as a postdoctoral fellow. This bioinformatics group works on a wide range of topics with a current focus on microbiome analysis in ecosystems like the human gut and the ocean. Within the TREC (Traversing European Coastlines) project, we have gathered more than 3000 soil, sediment and water samples, and are currently analysing the resulting microbiome and multi-omics data. Additional data have been gathered within the EU-funded BIOcean5D project, where we are analysing global biodiversity patterns, and in our efforts to integrate public metagenomic data (e.g. in the SPIRE database) and the corresponding contextual data.

Your role

You will take part in the analysis of the data gathered in the TREC expedition and integrate it with existing large-scale microbiomics data from soil, sediments, and ocean (metagenomes, metatranscriptomes, metabolomes etc.). Different project areas are available, for example, (i) analysis of TREC samples to answer evolutionary, functional and ecological questions, such as the impact of the environment and human influence on biodiversity patterns, (ii) integration of multi-omics data for functional interpretations, (iii) quantification of fluxes of genes and molecular functions between habitats across the globe.

The work aims at biological discoveries and will comprise both methodological and applied aspects. A unique aspect is the availability of very large datasets of microbiome data, which make it feasible to explore the use of novel machine learning and artificial intelligence methods. In addition, we are tapping into additional data sources, such as global climate and ocean biogeochemistry databases or satellite data.

You have

• A PhD degree in Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a related field
• Proven biological background knowledge and bioinformatics skills to analyse large-scale environmental metagenomic datasets (either with traditional machine learning methods or with deep learning approaches)
• Experience in data integration, statistical analysis and visualisation, e.g. in Python or R
• Ability to work both independently and in a team
• Willingness to learn new skills as projects require
• Good communication, interpersonal and English language skills

You might also have

• Familiarity with processing next-generation sequencing data and performing sequence analysis (such as multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic analysis, or Hidden Markov Models)
• Experience with long-read sequencing data or chromosome conformation capture (Hi-C)
• An understanding of microbial ecology in an environmental context
• Experimental expertise in microbiology or collecting environmental samples
• Experience in working with the Linux command line and compute clusters

Why join us

EMBL is an inclusive, equal opportunity employer offering attractive conditions and benefits appropriate to an international research organisation with a very collegial and family friendly working environment. The remuneration package comprises a competitive salary, a comprehensive pension scheme, medical, educational and other social benefits, and the availability of an excellent child care facility on campus.

What else you need to know

We are Europe’s flagship research laboratory for the life sciences – an intergovernmental organisation performing scientific research in disciplines including molecular biology, physics, chemistry and computer science. We are an international, innovative and interdisciplinary laboratory with more than 1600 employees from many nations, operating across six sites, in Heidelberg (HQ), Barcelona, Hinxton near Cambridge, Hamburg, Grenoble and Rome. Our mission is to offer vital services in training scientists, students and visitors at all levels; to develop new instruments and methods in the life sciences and actively engage in technology transfer activities, and to integrate European life science research. Please note that appointments on fixed term contracts can be renewed, depending on circumstances at the time of the review.

EMBL is a signatory of DORA. Find out how we implement best practices in research assessment in our recruitment processes here.