PhD student position available in functional genomics at the CIG, UNIL (CH)

Introduction

The University of Lausanne is a higher teaching and research institution composed of seven faculties where approximately 14,300 students and nearly 3,900 collaborators, professors, and researchers work and study. Ideally situated along the lake of Geneva, near Lausanne’s city center, its campus brings together over 120 nationalities.

Presentation

Prof. Jolanda van Leeuwen, who will start a new research group at the CIG (Center for Integrative Genomics) of the University of Lausanne in April 2018, is seeking to recruit a PhD student to work on projects relating to functional genomics and genetic interactions.

Job information

Expected start date in position: 01.04.2018 or to be agreed

Contract length: 1 year, possibily renewable 2 x 2 years, maximum 5 years

Activity rate: 85% (minimum of 50% of the activity rate for research thesis, maximum of 35% of the activity for the institute)

Workplace: University of Lausanne, Dorigny

Your responsibilities

The main research mission of the Van Leeuwen lab is to use functional genomics tools to improve our understanding of how mutations can interact to produce unexpected phenotypes, and how this determines the severity of genetic traits. Our research specifically focusses on suppression interactions, in which the accumulation of secondary mutations elsewhere in the genome can compensate for the deleterious effects of the primary mutation. For human disease genes, suppressors can represent strong targets for therapeutic intervention. 

The candidate will be expected to conduct research within the context of the lab’s research goal. We currently seek trainees for several projects, including:

  • Expanding the suppressor network in yeast and decipher general rules of suppression to allow us to predict these interactions in human genomes.
  • Investigating the role of suppressor mutations in tumor development and chemotherapy resistance.
  • Technology development for high-throughput analysis of suppression interactions in cultured mammalian cells.
  • Exploring suppression phenotypes involving more than two genes, to understand how multiple mutations can combine to yield phenotypes.

The successful candidate will be expected to accurately execute experiments to validate discoveries from primary genetic screens. The candidate will contribute to manuscripts for publication and present research findings at academic conferences. Funding for the position is available, but application to fellowship programs will be highly encouraged.

Your qualifications

We are a young research laboratory looking for talented students interested in high-throughput genetic analysis, with a specific focus on suppression. A Master’s degree in biology or a related discipline is required, and a background in yeast genetics or cancer biology is a plus. Exceptional interest in understanding genetic interactions and a great sense of teamwork are essential.

What the position offers you

The Van Leeuwen lab is hosted at the Center for Integrative Genomics (CIG) at the University of Lausanne (UNIL), a vibrant, well­ funded institute with a focus on functional genomics and equipped with modern core facilities (see www.unil.ch/cig). It is embedded in the broader Lausanne research environment that includes two High schools (UNIL, EPFL), the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Ludwig Center for Cancer Research, university hospital, and a cluster of biotech companies flourishing in the larger Leman lake area. We offer a nice working place in a multicultural, diversified and dynamic academic environment. The PhD student will be enrolled in the Faculty of Biology and Medicine’s doctoral school (https://www.unil.ch/ecoledoctoralefbm/en/home.html).

Contact for further information

Informal enquiries should be sent to Prof. Jolanda van Leeuwen jolanda.vanleeuwen@unil.ch

Website: www.jolandavanleeuwen.com

Your application

Please submit your full application comprising:

a cover letter detailing your research interests and experience
a CV
a copy of your Master’s degree certificate
contact details for 2 or more referees

Only applications through the UNIL website will be taken into account.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to promoting gender equality and strongly encourages applications from female candidates.

3-year PhD position at the CBI, Toulouse, France

CBI International PhD programme

The Center for Integrative Biology – CBI in Toulouse is launching its first call to hire highly motivated students interested in pursuing a 3 years PhD to be started on October 1st 2016.

Research at the CBI aims at understanding fundamental biological processes including genome dynamics and expression, morphogenesis and development, cognition and behavior.

The CBI offers a stimulating and dynamic environment and PhD students will benefit from an in-house training that includes seminar and symposium organizations, mentoring and social events, throughout the 3 years of their training.

(application deadline: April 10, 2016)

CBI International PHD

Networking event with alumni of UNIL – Feb. 18, 2015, Room 2912.3, Biophore

Are you interested how to find a job after graduation outside of Academia?

 So you should join us on the next BSNL Biotech Chat! Come have a drink and chat with our guests and colleagues. It is a great opportunity to learn from experienced people and network!

 Our theme this month is recent graduates from UNIL and our guests are:

 

Ksenia Tugay, Chief Operations Officer at Mass Challenge Switzerland

Yan Agalarov, Market Access Analyst at ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

 

When? 18th of February at 7pm

 Where? Room 2917.2, Biophore, UNIL

 Places are limited so please fill in the doodle with your email address: http://doodle.com/poll/kurs493zxnmec5xr

 An apéro will be provided!

 

 

The BioScience Network Lausanne (BSNL) association

Guides available for PhD and post doctoral fellows

Guides in English

You can download here the last versions of the two guides (2014) published by theBureaux de l’égalité des hautes écoles de la Suisse latine (BULA)

 


Getting your thesis off to a good start – Guide for doctoral students

The guide provides doctoral students with advice on how to successfully negotiate the main stages of doctoral student life and a guide for finding their way in the academic world. It is also intended for those who would like to embark on a doctorate, but are still hesitating. Here they will find information to help them clarify their choice.

Beyond the doctorate – Guide for advanced doctoral and postdoctoral students
The guide is for those reaching the end of their doctorate, or who have already completed it, and who are seeking information on possibilities for continuing their career as researcher or other alternative career paths.

Adem Bilican’s public defense of PhD thesis – April, 28 at 16.00 Aud. Biophore

Mr Adem Bilican, will publicly defend his PhD thesis :

“The evolution of alternative splicing patterns and regulatory mechanisms”

Mark the date and come along to support this ex member of H.Kaessmann’s group!

adem

The presentation will be held in French.

The defense will be followed by an apero with some Turkish specialties 

For organizational purposes, it would be very nice if you can confirm you presence through the following “Doodle”: https://framadate.org/d6mw474xfyhtpknl

Swiss Summer School: a great opportunity for this summer

Capture d’écran 2015-04-10 à 12.33.09

The EPFL is organizing a Summer School on the topic “Swiss Summer School on Molecular and Chemical Mechanisms in Epigenetics” , from July 12 to 17, in Arolla, Switzerland.

You can find further details on the website: http://isic3.epfl.ch/summer-school-2015/index.html

You will enjoy an exciting program with international speakers, focusing on chemical biology, structural biology and biochemistry of chromatin and epigenetic processes. Furthermore, poster sessions and poster talks will be planned. Finally, the location in Arolla, at 2000 m in the Alps of the Valais, allows for hikes or relaxation.

PhD students and postdocs who would like to attend, should contact directly Mr Fierz: beat.fierz@epfl.ch
The cost is 250 CHF for the week, and for EPFL doctoral students, the school will award 2ECTS.