441 days ago
Institution/Company:

Dalhousie University

Location:

Halifax

, Nova Scotia

 Canada

Job Type:

PhD

Degree Level Required:

Bachelor's

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Description:

The Beiko lab at Dalhousie University is seeking two highly motivated PhD students to carry out projects in microbial genomics and evolution. Key aims of these PhD positions will include:

  • Using evolutionary methods to build new, modular representations of genomes
  • Building comprehensive maps of lateral gene transfer from multiple lines of evidence (phylogenomics, coevolution, etc)
  • Incorporating gene-order information to refine functional predictions of genes

Selected candidates will join an interdisciplinary team that carries out theoretical and applied research in microbial genomics, machine learning, and algorithms.

Responsibilities:

Projects will combine a range of techniques including existing tools and new tools to be developed. Students can be admitted to a Computer Science PhD program if they satisfy the requirements, the Interdisciplinary PhD program, or another PhD program under a co-supervisory arrangement. Students will be expected to present at national and international conferences, and lead the writing of manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Software will be made available through the Beiko lab Github server and released under a permissive software license.

Trainees will be members of the Algorithms and Bioinformatics research cluster in Computer Science and the Dalhousie Institute for Comparative Genomics. Students will also have access to training programs offered internally by ICG and externally (e.g., Canadian Bioinformatics Workshops). Successful applicants will also have opportunities to collaborate with other academic researchers and with government agencies.

Qualifications:

Required:

  • A Bachelors or Masters degree in a relevant discipline, with research experience
  • Some coding experience, ideally including Python or R
  • A strong background in a relevant discipline such as Computer Science, Biology, or Statistics
  • Excellent English communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Where necessary, English-language skills that meet or exceed the admissions requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Preferred:

  • Experience with bioinformatics software
  • Experience with statistical analysis
  • Familiarity with Linux and high-performance computing
Additional Information:

We aim to foster a learning environment in which all individuals are supported during and after their graduate degree, and seek to reduce the inequities faced by people from historically marginalized groups.

Interested candidates should send a cover letter, CV, and contact details of two references to Rob Beiko (rbeiko@dal.ca). Start date can be January, May, or September 2024. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

Keywords:

Microorganisms

phylogenetics

genomics

lateral gene transfer

machine learning

antimicrobial resistance

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