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PhD position in high-dimensional data analysis, The Netherlands Institution: VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam Department/section: Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Division VI Working hours: 36 hours per week General The Biostatistics group (see http://www.vumc.nl/afdelingen/EB/ - in Dutch) at the VU University Medical Center (VUmc, Amsterdam) has a small and very active group of statisticians working on high-dimensional data analysis, where Renée Menezes (the project leader) is based. The group within the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics has close links to the Mathematics and Statistics Department of the Vrije Universiteit, as well as to both the Department of Pathology and the Microarray Facility of the VUmc. Project High-dimensional data analysis, involving data with few samples (n) and many more parameters (p>>n), is a fast-moving and competitive area of research. This project aims at tackling the important problem of joint analysis of such datasets, extending the work of Menezes et al (2009, BMC Bioinformatics) to, amongst other things, find associations between multiple high-dimensional genetic datasets (say, methylation, copy number and expression array data), use gene sets in both dependent and independent parts of the model to gain power in a similar way as done by Goeman et al (2004, Bioinformatics), and to draw on these tools for better classification of samples. This project involves a collaboration with Jelle Goeman, of the Department of Biostatistics of the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and with the internationally known Pediatric Oncology group of the Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, from which data will be analysed. So it will include the student in an important network of scientists. Requirements We are looking for a PhD student with an MSc in either Statistics, Bioinformatics or a closely related discipline. Essentials are: good statistical knowledge enabling the development of new models and analysis tools, programming skills, the ability to explain complex ideas to biologists/non-specialists and an affinity with genetics and biology. Previous knowledge of any of the areas involved in the project (such as mixed-effects models, high-dimensional data analysis) and of R programming are an advantage. The PhD student we are looking for has good communication skills and is flexible to work both at the VUmc and at the LUMC. Work conditions This PhD position is open at the department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics. The temporary employment will be for a period of 4 years. The gross salary per month will be according to the AIO scales, depending on previous experience. The terms of employment will be in accordance with the CAO Universtair medische centra of the Netherlands. Contact For details about the project contents please contact Renee Menezes Jelle Goeman [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] +31 20 444 4933 +31 71 526 9708 Applications You may apply via our website or per conventional post. Via our website, go to http://www.vumc.nl/afdelingen/werk/vacatures/overzicht/ and look for this job opening (“Vacatures”) under the “Beroepsgroep” “Wetenschappelijk onderzoeker”. At the bottom of the screen, go to “Soliciteren” and fill in the online form. As this is all in Dutch, foreigners may prefer to apply via conventional post. For this, please send your CV and motivation letter indicating the job opening number D6.2009.00085 to Divisiebureau divisie 6 mw. C. Egberts Bs 7, C 369 [log in to unmask] Closing date for applications : 19th October 2009