We seek a motivated PhD researcher to join the ‘DeepHeartNet’ project. This project is aimed at characterizing the genetic etiology of non-syndromic congenital heart defects (NS-CHD) by analyzing the largest NS-CHD cohort to date, by leveraging in-house and published single-cell multi-omics data to interpret and prioritize weak genetic association signals, and by functional validation of putative CHD genes in vitro.
The PhD project will be focused on the construction of genomic variant calls in cases with NS-CHD and controls, and on gene-wise variant burden analysis to uncover novel genes associated with CHD, providing NS-CHD families, cardiologists and researchers crucial information regarding the cause, outcome and recurrence risk of NS-CHD. In this role, you will devise computational methods, analyze WES/WGS data, and collaborate closely with our interdisciplinary team.
The team:
The group of Prof. Jeroen Breckpot has a long tradition in genetic research to uncover the genomic background of structural heart defects. In the lab you will work closely together with master students, clinicians and research nurses. You will also interact with researchers from other labs involved in the project, including the labs of Prof. Bernard Thienpont and Prof. Alejandro Sifrim at KU Leuven, and other international partners in the consortium. This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to expand your expertise as a big data analyst and advance your research profile in genomics.
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Project
Your main responsibilities would be:
• Conceptualize bioinformatic pipelines for the analysis of next generation sequencing data.
• Troubleshoot and optimize protocols to ensure high-quality and reliable results.
• CHD candidate gene and pathway discovery by case-control variant burden analysis and by transcriptome analysis on diseased tissue.
• Foster new relationships with internal and external interdisciplinary research groups.
• Be co-responsible for the successful completion and timely delivery of project milestones.
• Collaborate with the interdisciplinary teams to translate technical and biological insights into compelling grant applications.
• Report and communicate progress in meetings, publish scientific articles, and participate in international conferences.
Profile
• Master’s degree in life sciences (bioengineering, biomedical sciences, genetics, genomics or equivalent). A publication record is a plus.
• Strong computational, programming and/or data analysis skills with a Bio-IT background
• Experience with the development and validation of bioinformatic methods
• Knowledge of bioinformatic pipelines for the analysis of next generation sequencing and other -omics data
• Knowledge of programming standards and programming languages (R, Python)
• Knowledge of cardiogenetics is a plus.
• Genuine interest and commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and innovation.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work seamlessly across interdisciplinary teams.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
Offer
We offer a 4-year PhD research position in a stimulating international work environment equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. As part of your doctoral program (Biomedical Sciences), you will engage in diverse training, education, and career development activities. You will be based in Leuven, a historic, dynamic, and vibrant city in the heart of Belgium, close to major European capitals. KU Leuven is a research intensive, internationally-oriented university that conducts fundamental and applied scientific research with a strong focus on interdisciplinary collaboration and international excellence.
Interested?
For more information please contact Prof. dr. Jeroen Breckpot, mail: jeroen.breckpot@uzleuven.be.
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