The VIB-KU Leuven Center for Cancer Biology (CCB; ) is looking for a skilled computational biologist passionate about advancing cancer research through biomedical image processing and computer vision. We are seeking a computational biologist specialized in image analysis and computer vision to join our Bioinformatics Expertise Center (), which supports our various expertise centers and research groups.
The CCB is one of the research departments of the VIB Life Sciences Institute within the University of Leuven, one of the world’s top 50 universities. Our diverse and international center is located on the University Hospital Campus where it hosts about 200 researchers, administrative and technical staff. Our ambition at CCB is to contribute to a better understanding of the biology underlying cancer initiation, progression, and metastatic dissemination. We aim to identify novel biomarkers and develop more effective anticancer therapies. Enabling our mission, the Center for Cancer Biology houses a wide range of bleeding-edge ‘omics and imaging technologies in its multiple Expertise Centers, which range from Single Cell & Spatial Multiomics to Intravital Imaging and Spatial Metabolomics.
We are committed to creating a workplace that celebrates diversity and supports everyone in being successful, regardless of their gender identity, nationality, background, role, sexual orientation, or family situation. To advance institutional equity, diversity, and inclusion, specific, measurable, and sustainable actions are being put in place at VIB.
Job description
1. Work in a start-up team together with the head computational biologist Dr. Luuk Harbers and in close collaboration with the lab of integrative cancer genomics led by Prof. Jonas Demeulemeester
2. Work closely with experimental Expertise Centers () and CCB research groups to chart data integration and analysis needs
3. As a member of the Bioinformatics Expertise Center, you will be involved in the development of state-of-the-art pipelines (e.g. integration of spatial transcriptomics and metabolomics data) and innovative machine learning approaches for image analysis
4. Tie into and strengthen bioinformatics and AI communities at VIB and KU Leuven
5. Disseminate workflows and know-how to bioinformaticians in CCB research groups
Profile
6. Demonstrated experience in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Computer Science, (Bio)engineering, Physics, or related fields, PhD level or equivalent
7. Well-versed in Python and/or Matlab
8. Experience with relevant image databases/repositories, such as OMERO
9. Proficient in image analysis software, such as ImageJ, Imaris, Napari, and/or Arivis
10. Experience with image analysis techniques, such as cell segmentation, image stitching, lineage tracing, multi-modal data integration, and related methodologies
11. Likes to keep track of (and play around with) the latest advances in machine learning or deep learning
12. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills (English, written and spoken)
We offer
13. Access to unique data sets and infrastructure, both experimental and computational
14. A wider community of computational biologists at CCB and VIB with regular meetings
15. Opportunities for training, mentoring, and contributing to various research projects
16. Learn and develop pioneering techniques and tools
17. A stimulating international research environment
18. Competitive salary and benefits
19. Fully funded full-time position
20. Indefinite contract
21. Starting date: as soon as possible
22. Flexible working hours