Simula Research Laboratory conducts basic research in the fields of
communication technology, software engineering and scientific
computing. The research in the Scientific Computing (SC) department
is focused on the development of numerical methods, algorithms and
software, and large scale biomedical and systems biology oriented
simulation studies applying these methods. In recent years, the main
application area for computational research studies has been the
simulation of the electrical and mechanical activity of the heart.
Currently, we plan to extend our computational research to
simulations of the evolutionary dynamics of genetic networks
controlling the properties of organisms.
The aim of the research project is to study key evolutionary
processes such as the adaptation of organisms to their environment,
the splitting up of a species into multiple species and the
development of multicellular organisms from a single fertilized
cells. A key aspect of the research will be to study
how the architecture and dynamics of genome organization and gene
regulatory network structure
influence the properties of organisms and hence how they influence
the above mentioned evolutionary processes and how this contrasts
with findings from more classical population genetics models.
Our understanding of genome organization and gene regulatory networks
has changed dramatically over the last decade. A large part of DNA
that was previously considered junk turns out the be functional after
all, coding for RNAs that are however not translated into proteins.
These RNAs in turn are often involved in regulating the expression of
genes, which were previously thought to be exclusively regulated by
proteins. Incorporating these new insights into our models is another
key aspect of the research project.
Modeling formalisms used will typically be discrete, individual-
based, event-based, and often
spatially extended and will involve the explicit modeling of the
evolution of genes, genomes and gene regulatory networks determining
the properties of simulated agents. The project will be supervised by
a new member of our research group, Dr. Kirsten ten Tusscher (http://
www-binf.bio.uu.nl/khwjtuss/).
Simula offers excellent opportunities for doing high quality
research, generous support for travels and equipment, and competitive
salary (around 47.000,- Euro/69.000,- USD for a Ph.D. position)
We are looking for candidates who fulfill one or more of the
following requirements:
- a strong interest in evolutionary biological research
- a University degree in computational biology, systems biology,
biomedical engineering, artificial life, artificial intelligence,
computer science, physics or applied mathematics
- experience with computational modeling, simulation and analysis of
complex (biological) systems.
The position requires excellent English writing skills and high marks
from the BSc and MSc degree. Women are encouraged to apply. For more
information contact Joakim Sundnes (sundnes from simula.no) or Kirsten ten
Tusscher(tentussc from simula.no). To apply, email a short application
letter, curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts and grades, and a
publication list to jobs from simula.no. The subject of the email must
contain 0830 Scientific Computing.
Application deadline: May 16, 2008
