Postdoctoral Scientist, Computational Neurobiology

About the role

The Computational Neurobiology lab at the VIB-UAntwerp Center for Molecular Neurology studies causal mechanisms of cellular decision-making in the human brain, including in neurodegenerative diseases. It uses targeted and genome-wide profiling technologies and statistical and machine learning approaches for multimodal data integration and cis-regulatory network reconstruction. The lab is looking for a postdoctoral scientist to work on a project funded by the Alzheimer's Association at the intersection of genetics, systems biology and computational biology.

The project aims to study the regulatory mechanisms behind cell-type-specific switching of alternative gene isoforms in different types of dementia, focusing on alternative transcription start site (ATSS) and alternative transcription termination site (ATTS) choices, which show widespread changes in Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and Lewy body dementia. The three main goals are: (i) build an isoform-specific regulatory atlas of the human brain in health and disease, (ii) identify causal regulatory elements and transcription factors driving ATSS/ATTS choice in disease, and (iii) identify putative causal disease isoforms with a genetic basis.

Required profile

• A PhD in computational biology, systems biology, bioinformatics or a related discipline, or a hybrid background with strong computational experience (e.g. molecular biology, biomedical sciences, functional genomics).
• Solid knowledge of single-cell data analysis and multimodal data integration.
• Solid knowledge of gene regulatory mechanism reconstruction and analysis.
• Solid knowledge of 3D chromatin organisation principles.
• Intermediate to advanced programming in R and/or Python.
• Excellent English communication and writing skills and a strong academic record.

Required skills

• Single-cell data analysis and multimodal data integration
• Reconstruction and analysis of gene regulatory mechanisms
• 3D chromatin organisation
• R and/or Python
• Beneficial: analysis of 3D chromatin data and proteomics data

What we offer

• Financial support for two years, with the possibility of extension after a positive evaluation; the postdoc is expected to seek independent funding and will be helped to apply for fellowships such as FWO, MSCA and HFSP.
• Access to core experimental and computational facilities and a network of national and international collaborators.
• Dedicated training programmes through VIB and UAntwerp.
• An international research environment in Antwerp, within a centre with nine PIs.

Applications are made through the VIB online job application platform, with a CV (2 pages max), a letter of motivation (1-1.5 pages) and contact details of two referees. The start date is February 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.