Function Description

Global analysis of complex biological systems can be implemented mostefficiently using experimental designs that recognize the subtlety andcomplexity of genetic regulation. The strategy of "genetical genomics"involves expression profiling and marker-based fingerprinting of eachindividual of an experimental or natural population. It will combinethe power of two different worlds in a way that is likely to becomeinstrumental in the further unravelling of complex traits andprocesses, including metabolic, regulatory and developmental pathways.This project will develop the biologically-centered bioinformaticresources (i.e. biologically relevant mathematical models, methods,algorithms and software) that allow applied researchers tocomprehensively analyse their (proprietary) genetical genomics data andreconstruct and visualize the regulatory, metabolic and developmentalpathways. Specific attention will be given to the collection andtransfer of expertise among resource developers (to speed up design,evolution and evaluation of resources), from resource developers toapplied scientists (ease the selection and use of the resources), andfrom applied scientists back to resource developers (are the methodsconceptually and technically effective). Particular focus is ondeveloping and testing new bioinformatics resources for geneticalgenomics in natural populations of the bacterial species Lactococcuslactis.

Work location
The work location will be NIZO food research.NIZO food research is a leading contract research institution, locatedin Ede, The Netherlands. The institute bridges the gap betweenfundamental research and industrial application. NIZO food researchinvests heavily in new genomics techniques and is a partner in severalexcellent institutes like the Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences and the Kluyver Centre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation. NIZO food research also has a close collaboration with the Bacterial Genomics Group of the Center for Molecular and Biomolecular Informatics (CMBI) at the Radboud University, Nijmegen.

Link with BioRange Programme
The PhD student will be part of a team working in the BioRangeproject "Design and analysis of genetical genomics experiments" ofNBIC, the Netherlands Bioinformatics Centre. Partners in this programmeare Radboud University Nijmegen, Universty of Groningen and the KluyverCentre for Genomics of Industrial Fermentation.

Requirements
The successful candidateshould have a university degree in chemistry, biology, bioinformaticsor physics, and have a strong interest in application of mathematical(statistical) techniques in biology. Programming experience is alsoessential. The candidate should be proficient in English (speaking andwriting), a good communicator, and a strong team player.

Additional information
The starting date is flexible, but preferably as soon as possible. Theposition is full time for a period of four years. The PhD student willalso work in close collaboration with the Bioinformatics groups ofProf. R.C. Jansen at the University of Groningen and of Prof. R.J.Siezen at the Radboud University Nijmegen.

Contact information
CV and cover letter describing your interests and goals including theaddresses of 2-3 references (and preferably their letter ofrecommendation) should be sent to:
Prof. Roland J. Siezen
Bacterial Genomics Group, CMBI
Radboud University
PO Box 9010
6500GL Nijmegen, the Netherlands
tel. +31-24-3653379
fax. +31-24-3652977
email: r.siezen@cmbi.ru.nl
website: www.cmbi.ru.nl

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