BACKGROUND

The Institute (http://www.cemm.at):
The CeMM Research Center for Molecular Medicine is an international and interdisciplinary research institute of the Austrian Academy of Sciences. Driven by medical needs, CeMM integrates basic research and clinical expertise to pursue innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches focused on cancer, inflammation and immune disorders. CeMM is located in a new tailor-made building at the center of the Vienna Medical University campus, within walking distance of Vienna's historical city center. According to a study by "The Scientist", CeMM is among the top-5 best places to work in academia world-wide (http://the-scientist.com/2012/08/01/best-places-to-work-academia-2012). Vienna is frequently ranked the world's best city to live. It is a United Nations city with a large English-speaking community. The official language at CeMM is English, as more than 30 different nationalities are represented.

The Lab (http://www.medical-epigenomics.org):
The lab combines large-scale analysis of the epigenome with stem cell biology and computational modeling, in order to better understand and treat leukemia and other cancers. We work closely with biologists and medical researchers at the Medical University of Vienna, aiming to advance personalized medicine through epigenome sequencing and bioinformatic innovation. Specific research interests include (but are not limited to):

Epigenomics. The lab is part of the BLUEPRINT project aimed at establishing, analyzing and interpreting comprehensive epigenome maps of >100 cell types of the blood and immune system.

Bioinformatics. We develop bioinformatic methods and infrastructure for analyzing DNA methylation data in the context of epigenome-wide association studies.

Diagnostics. Using large-scale DNA methylation mapping, bioinformatic prioritization and functional characterization, we strive to develop clinically relevant biomarkers for informing cancer therapy.

The Principal Investigator (http://christoph-bock.org):
Christoph Bock received his training in computer science and business science from the Universities of Mannheim and Heidelberg (Germany). He obtained a PhD in bioinformatics from the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, for which he was awarded an Otto Hahn Medal by the Max Planck Society. Christoph did his postdoc in epigenome research at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, contributing to the Roadmap Epigenomics Project. In parallel, Christoph led a research group on computational epige-netics at the Max Planck Institute for Informatics. His recent publications include papers in Cell, Molecular Cell, Nature Biotechnology, Nature Methods, Nature Reviews Cancer, Nature Reviews Genetics, Genome Research, Genome Biology, PLoS Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, NEJM and Science (http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=9qSsTcIAAAAJ). Christoph also leads a next generation sequencing platform in Vienna (http://biomedical-sequencing.at), he is a guest professor at the Medical University of Vienna and a work package leader in the European epigenome mapping project (http://blueprint-epigenome.eu).

The Project:
We currently have postdoc positions available in the context of the following European initiatives:

The European BLUEPRINT project focusing on large-scale dissection of epigenome regulation in blood & leukemia
Two new European consortia focusing on epigenetic mechanisms as causes and biomarkers of breast/ovarian cancer

Furthermore, we are open to exciting new project ideas in the fields of genomics & epigenomics, bioinformatics and cancer.

REQUIREMENTS

The Candidate:
We are looking for highly motivated and academically outstanding candidates who want to pursue a scientific career in the emerging field of medical epigenomics. An ideal candidate would have a background in molecular biology or a related discipline (human genetics, genomics, molecular medicine, chemical biology, etc.) or a computational discipline (bioinformatics, physics, engineering, etc.) and a strong interest in working together with collaborators in the entire spectrum of epigenetics, bioinformatics and personalized medicine. Scientists with a medical degree and an interest in biomedical research are encouraged to apply. Prior work experience in a world-class research institution and publications in relevant international journals are a requirement.

SUMMARY

BACKGROUND

REQUIREMENTS

HOW TO APPLY