The research group of the Institute of Medical Genetics (Director Prof. Dr. med. Marc-Phillip Hitz, PhD), from the Medical Campus of the University of Oldenburg, has a vacancy for the following position:

Computational biologist/Bioinformatician (m/f/d)
(salary according to E13 TV-L, 75 %)

Join our team and support us as of Mai 1, 2023. The position is limited for three years.

The position will be hosted at the Institute of Medical Genetics, University of Oldenburg. Our group uses multi-omic approaches (genomic, transcriptomic and epigenetic) to elucidate the molecular basis of several human pathologies, including cancer, congenital heart diseases (CHD) and rare diseases.

We implement different short read-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) and long read-based nanopore sequencing to identify pathogenic genetic variants. In addition, we apply single-cell RNA sequencing and emerging methods of spatial biology to study normal cell development as well as disease progression. Our group collaborates with European Consortia and international teams from the UK, US, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and Denmark.

The PhD candidate will work in a research project directed to the identification of pathogenic gene variants associated to hereditary cancer predisposition using long read-based nanopore sequencing. As part of the project the candidate will assess the added diagnostic value of nanopore sequencing in unresolved cases of cancer predisposition previously tested with gene panels and/or exome/genome sequencing using NGS. The position holder is expected to perform NGS and nanopore sequencing data analysis, develop computational pipelines for pathogenic variant filtering, and to identify genetic alterations associated to hereditary cancer.

Your responsibilities:

• Establish bioinformatic pipelines for evaluating NGS datasets from cancer patients (n=800).
• Perform variant prioritization and pathogenic variants identification from nanopore sequencing datasets using bioinformatic tools (for example Guppy, EPI2ME)
• Preparation of research manuscripts and collaboration on scientific projects. 

Your qualifications:

• an academic university degree (Master or equivalent) in natural/computational
• Programming skills in Java, R or Python
• Biostatistical knowledge
• Strong communication skills in English (spoken and written)
• Team-oriented working style.
• Previous experience with analysis of NGS and overall genomics and multi-omics datasets will be considered as a valuable asset. 

We offer:

• An interdisciplinary and collaborative environment that supports innovation and professional development of team members.
• Participation in the development of a young university team with creative freedom.
• The possibility of independent scientific project work.
• Collaboration with national and international teams and consortia.
• Family-friendly environment. 

The University of Oldenburg strives to increase the proportion of women in the academic field. Therefore, women are strongly encouraged to apply. According to § 21 para. 3 NGH, female applicants shall be given preferential consideration in the case of equivalent qualifications.

Severely disabled persons will be given preference in the case of equal suitability.

Please submit your application, preferably in electronic form (a PDF file including Cover Letter, CV and relevant certificates) by April 01, 2023, to Prof. Dr. med. Marc-Phillip Hitz () and Dr. med. Laura Gieldon (), Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Institute of Medical Genetics, Rahel-Straus-Straße 10, D-26133 Oldenburg.