PhD Bioinformatics Scholarship, Belgium 2016

PhD Bioinformatics Scholarship, Belgium at Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism

The focus of the Laboratory of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism (VRC, headed by Prof. Peter Carmeliet) is to unravel the molecular mechanisms of angiogenesis (blood vessel formation) in health and disease in order to identify novel therapeutic applications. The lab of Prof. Carmeliet initiated projects that aim to comprehensively characterize the metabolism of endothelial cells (ECs, the cells forming the inner lining of blood vessels) in a multi-omics approach.

We use mass spectrometry based metabolomics and ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing to quantify several hundred metabolites and thousands of gene transcripts in (patient- and murinederived) endothelial cells. The candidate will be involved in: i) analyzing high density multiomics data to identify metabolic perturbations using in-house developed software; ii) developing new analysis approaches; iii) supporting biologists in analyzing there own data; iv) performing predictive modeling using genome-scale metabolic models (GEMs) to assess the effects of in silico gene silencing / overexpression; and v) helping biologists to perform GEM modeling.

• You have obtained a Masters diploma in bioengineering, biology, computer science, bioinformatics, mathematics or related field;


• You have organizational and management skills;


• You have good communication skills and can cooperate easily with different (international) team members;


• You have a passion for bioinformatics and the motivation to work on an innovative and ambitious project in an open, dynamic and skilled research team;


• You have experience -or an interest- in computer programming (preferentially using MATLAB, R, etc.)


• Programming skills in Python are considered beneficial but not necessary

We offer

• A fascinating /dynamic work environment in which innovation, continuous development, quality and social contact are encouraged;


• The possibility to be at the start of a scientifically cutting-edge and society relevant project;


• The opportunity to contribute to the biological validation of research findings.

Starting date: The position will be allocated as soon as a suitable candidate is found.