The University of Nebraska (Lincoln, Nebraska, USA) is looking for an exceptional and highly motivated post-doctoral researcher to develop and analyze a mechanism-based multi-scale, multi-cellular (agent-based) model of the immune system, as well as its integration with experimental data for the purpose of its validation and generation of new hypotheses. At the cellular level, the model will utilize agent-based modeling approaches, while integrating various modeling frameworks to incorporate the dynamics of each cell at the metabolic, signal transduction, and gene regulation levels. Using existing and newly developed computational models, the researcher will be responsible for identification of novel drug targets and development of biologically plausible disease models for experimental and clinical validations. The post-doctoral researcher will also drive a novel approach and technology developed by our group to leverage computational systems biology in a crowd-sourcing fashion. More information about our group at helikarlab.org.
The researcher will work in collaboration with other members of the group, and will have the opportunity to work on multiple projects in an international and a highly interdisciplinary setting with laboratory scientists, computer scientists, engineers, and mathematicians.
The start date is immediate (but flexible depending on mutual agreement), and the position is open until filled.
The position is funded by a 5-year NIH grant.
The University of Nebraska has an active National Science Foundation ADVANCE gender equity program, and is committed to a pluralistic campus community through affirmative action, equal opportunity, work-life balance, and dual careers.
Education:
* Candidates must have a PhD in Immunology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biophysics, Computer Science, Engineering or a closely related field.
Skills:
* Strong biology background (preferably immunology, but other areas are also welcome; e.g., metabolism, signal transduction, host-pathogen interactions)
* Experience with computational/mathematical modeling and simulations of networks (in particular with agent-based models; although any modeling framework is welcome)
* Multi-scale modeling is a plus
* Network model inference and analysis is a plus
* Experience with extracting and manipulating large data sets from various databases, and integration of these data into predictive computational models
* Programming skills in JavaScript, Java, and/or R
If interested, please send a cover letter, CV and contact information for three references to Dr. Tomas Helikar via the "Apply for this job" button. Starting date available immediately.