PhD Candidate in multi-modal biological data analysis

The Augmented Intelligence for Data Analytics (AIDA) lab at KU Leuven is dedicated to integrating data visualisation with advanced analytical techniques to tackle complex, multi-modal datasets. Our lab is part of the Biosystems Department at the KU Leuven Faculty of Bioscience Engineering. Our mission is to empower researchers and experts (particularly within biosciences and agriculture) to embrace the complexity of their data, facilitating deep insights and the generation of new hypotheses. Our main approach is to use visual analytics in which we combine novel visual design with machine learning methods such as topological data analysis.
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Project

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our research team on the integrated and holistic analysis of stressor factors on Daphnia magna (water flea). This exciting opportunity involves using advanced data analysis, bioinformatics, and data visualisation techniques to understand eco-evolutionary dynamics in natural landscapes. We will specifically focus on the use of visual analytics, topological data analysis and unsupervised machine learning to investigate temporal and spatial patterns across totally different types of data (environmental, Daphnia genomes, Daphnia microbiomes, bacterioplankton metagenomes, ...). The ultimate aim is to explore the underlying complexity of these ecosystems.

Profile

• you have a Master's degree in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Bioscience Engineering, Visual Design / Data Visualisation or similar. You must have a distinction to be able to enter the doctoral program.
• you have a strong foundation in general data visualisation principles and techniques.
• you have good programming skills (incl Python) and have experience in programming in D3 (javascript).
• you have experience in unsupervised (and if possible supervised) machine learning and topological data analysis.
• you have strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• you can work independently as well as part of different collaborative cross-domain research teams.
• you are proficient in oral and written English, possess excellent communication and multi-tasking skills, are team-oriented, proactive and result-driven.

Offer

• A full-time position for one year which will be extended to 4 years given a positive evaluation.
• A working climate where trust, (international) collaboration, and commitment are essential.
• An excellent young, stimulating and supportive international research environment.
• High level scientific training at a top-ranked university; training in academic, thematic and soft skills.

AIDA research group
Department of Biosystems

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Jan Aerts, tel.: +32 16 32 21 40, mail: jan.aerts@kuleuven.be

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