BACKGROUND

The Section Computational Science of the University of Amsterdam has a vacancy for a postdoc for the project ``Morphogenesis and gene regulatory networks in plants and animals: a complex systems modelling approach (MORPHEX)''. The project is an EU-funded project and is Collaboration with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - Delegation Rhone Auvergne (CNRS) and other laboratories from France, Germany, Sweden and Norway. It is a multi-disciplinary research project in which groups from computer science, mathematics and developmental biology closely collaborate.

The main objective of the project is to obtain via a modelling and simulation approach a better understanding of the structure and dynamics of metabolic pathways and gene regulatory networks involved in the morphogenesis of animals and plants. We will concentrate on the development of two kind of sponges and on the organogenesis of carpel and anthers of a flowering plant. We will tackle the complexity involved in these processes by using concepts and tools arising from complex systems science. The following problems will be addressed: provide a general model allowing to describe the underlying complex systems at different hiearchical levels in the same formalism; provide tools to extract concrete models description from experimental data; provide a way to conduct in-silico experiments.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The postdoc will focus on modelling early development in sponge before settlement/development and growth in the adult sponge, in close collaboration with molecular biologists. The major scientific questions here are: i) to find causal relations between genes in regulatory networks and to understand the dynamics of these networks, through modelling and optimization techniques. ii) To quantitatively reproduce and understand spatial and temporal expression patterns in developmental processes in simulations and to compare these with actually observed patterns. iii) To understand the physical coupling between an aggregate of cells and the bodyplan formation in regulatory systems.

REQUIREMENTS

A PhD in scientific computing or computational science, (computational) physics, chemistry, biology or a comparable expertise. Candidates are also expected to have an active interest in life science applications. A strong research record, evidenced by a PhD thesis and papers published in peer-reviewed journals Ability to operate in an international research team. Fluency in oral and written English.

COMPENSATION

This will be a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) for a period of three years. The gross monthly salary will be in accordance with the University regulations for academic personnel and will range from € 2,252 up to a maximum of € 3,554 (scale 10), based on a full-time appointment and depending on the number of years of professional experience.

HOW TO APPLY

Further information can be obtained from : Dr Jaap A. Kaandorp, Section Computational Science, University of Amsterdam; e-mail: jaapk[at]science.uva.nl. More information (application procedure, deadlines etc.) will soon become available on the website:
http://www.uva.nl/vacatures