Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Systems Biology

British Heart Foundation Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Systems Biology

MATHEMATICAL & STATISTICAL MODELLING OF CYTOKINE RECEPTOR CROSS-REGULATION BY CYCLIC AMP

Supervisors:

• Dr. Tim Palmer (t.palmer@bio.gla.ac.uk, Integrative and Systems Biology)
• Prof. Mark Girolami (girolami@dcs.gla.ac.uk, www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/inference)

Regulation of the immune/inflammatory responses by interleukin-6 (IL-6)-family cytokines is dictated by the interplay of multiple cytokine-activated signalling cascades and inhibitory regulators designed to prevent excessive receptor activation that can result in disease. The situation is further complicated by the observation that cytokine-activated signalling cascades are negatively controlled by distinct signalling modules such as those initiated by the prototypical intracellular messenger cyclic AMP. Despite its significance, the extensive level of cross-talk observed has not been integrated into coherent models of IL-6 receptor signalling and
its regulation.

Objectives

By combining molecular/cell biology with mathematical modelling & statistical inferential approaches, this inter-disciplinary studentship will A) statistically define minimal network structures that accurately describe cytokine signalling pathway kinetics, B) derive a set of plausible mathematical models that can identify the critical parameters controlling inhibitory cross-regulation of gp130 by cyclic AMP, and C) identify new approaches for limiting excessive cytokine signalling associated with inflammatory disorders.

The project provides an exciting opportunity for high-quality doctoral training in mathematical modelling & statistical inferential approaches and their application to increase our understanding of the architecture and dynamics of molecular cell signalling pathways. In addition to contemporary molecular and cellular biology techniques (mammalian cell culture, RNAi-mediated knockdown, protein analysis), the successful candidate will be trained in mathematical modelling of pathway dynamics as well as Bayesian statistical methods to formally characterize uncertainty in these models.

Candidates should be European Economic Area nationals, have an excellent first degree in a relevant mathematical discipline (Mathematics, Computing Science, Statistics, Engineering, Physics) and be highly motivated in their wish to apply this expertise to biological systems. Candidates with an excellent first degree in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology or a related discipline, coupled with additional experience in applying mathematical/statistical methods to biological systems, will also be considered.

The studentship will commence as soon as possible after a suitable candidate is identified. The studentship will carry a stipend of £16,853 in year 1 and increasing to £18,580 in year 3. The studentship also covers the student’s university fees. The studentship is renewable, subject to satisfactory annual progress, for up to a total of three years.

Applications must consist of a current CV, contact details of at least two academic referees, evidence of degree performance, and a completed application form from http://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/howtoapplyforaresearchdegree/

Preliminary email enquiries to Tim Palmer or Mark Girolami are welcomed.

Candidates are encouraged to complete the online application, but also to send their CV and associated documents direct to the Graduate School:

Graduate School of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Bower Building,
University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ
Tel: ++44 (0)141-330-5800
Fax: ++44 (0)141-330-6093
E-mail: biograd@gla.ac.uk (please type “BHF Palmer” in the subject box of E-mails)
-------------------------------
Professor M.A. Girolami F.I.E.T
EPSRC Advanced Research Fellow
Department of Computing Science
Sir Alwyn Williams Building, Room 302
University of Glasgow
Glasgow, G12 8QQ
Scotland UK

Tel : +44 (0)141 330 1623
Fax: +44 (0)141 330 2673

email : girolami@dcs.gla.ac.uk
web: http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/~girolami
web: http://www.dcs.gla.ac.uk/inference

PostDoc in ML / Mathematical Modeling of Neural Systems, Germany

A fully funded Postdoctoral Research Position in Machine Learning / Mathematical Modeling of Neural Systems is open in the research group of Herbert Jaeger (http://www.faculty.jacobs-university.de/hjaeger) at Jacobs University Bremen, Germany (http://www.jacobs-university.de).

The position is created in the context of the integrated project "Self-organized Recurrent Neural Learning for Language Processing (ORGANIC), funded by the European Commission within the 7th Framework Program "Cognitive Systems, Interaction, Robotics". Details about the project and the consortium can be found at the preliminary reservoir computing website (http://reservoir-computing.org). The project start is April 1, 2009 and the project duration is 3 years. The position may start earlier than the project start.

The projected research for this position concerns the architecture and learning algorithm design for large-scale recurrent neural network systems, with an emphasis on mathematical analysis. The targetted application area is speech and handwriting recognition. The project's overarching objective is to amalgamate neurobiological with engineering/mathematical perspectives, integrating a multitude of learning/adaptation/stabilization mechanisms for robustness and
versatility.

The ideal candidate would have the following qualifications:

• a PhD in machine learning, computational neuroscience, mathematics, theoretical physics, signal processing, control engineering, or similar fields,
• a strong mathematical background, especially in statistics and stochastic processes, nonlinear dynamics, and signals and systems,
• experience in machine learning, signal processing, nonlinear dynamics, recurrent neural networks,
• highly developed communication and organization skills,
• a very good command of English,
• endless curiosity.

Besides scientific work (80%), the task profile includes assistance in project management. This aspect of the position will extend the professional skills of the researcher in important directions of large-scale project coordination and leadership qualifications.

The total contract duration will be 3 years (project runtime, starting April 1) plus optionally the time from an earlier contract start to the project start. The application deadline is open.

Jacobs University Bremen is an equal opportunity employer and has been certified "Family Friendly" by the Hertie-Stiftung.

Please send in electronic format (PDF preferred) a letter of application, CV, a copy of academic certificates, and optionally samples of published work to Herbert Jaeger (h.jaeger@jacobs-university.de) who also invites further inquiries. Applicants passing an initial screening will be requested to supply two letters of reference.

Postdoctoral fellow in Theoretical Computer Science at the University of Michigan

Mathematics and Computer Science Departments at the University of Michigan. The position will be at the rank of Assistant Professor for a period of three years (shorter if desirable) in the Mathematics Department. The salary is competitive with postdoctoral salaries and there are opportunities for supplemental summer support. We invite applicants from all areas of theoretical computer science.

The teaching load will be one course per semester, alternating mathematics courses with computer science courses. The postdoc is encouraged to teach at least one seminar course on an advanced topic of his or her choice for the Computer Science Department and to participate in the Theoretical Computer Science seminar, which is joint between Mathematics and Computer Science.

All applications must be processed through the Mathematics Department. You can find out more information about the department's postdoctoral program. Please note that the teaching load and distribution of courses for this position is different from that of the other positions. The postdoctoral program in Mathematics at the University of Michigan is one of the largest in the country and is a lively, active young mathematical community.

You may apply online at the American Mathematical Society's (AMS) website: mathjobs.org. The deadline for complete applications, which includes the AMS cover sheet, a separate cover letter, four letters of reference (one of which addresses teaching), C.V, research statement, teaching statement, and a publication list, is December 15, 2008.

To ensure that we can search our applicant database quickly, we encourage all applicants to list as their primary research area AMS code [68] Computer Science. You may also enter any other research interests for which the AMS has a category; e.g., [5] Combinatorics, [3] Mathematical Logic and Foundations.