Join the Tanaka group as a PhD student and be a part of the Centre for Holobiont Research. Holobiont is a term that refers to a larger organism, such as animal, plant or fungus, together with its associated community of microbes and is an underexplored area of research and innovation.
The PhD student will be funded by the Leverhulme Trust and will research and develop computational/mathematical frameworks to identify minimal systematic relationships and interaction network structures that define “healthy” functioning vs disrupted microbiome-host relationships in holobionts.
The PhD student will apply a mathematical modelling approach to develop an in silico framework to model and simulate microbiome dynamics, and generate in silico microbiomes of different hosts by fitting the in silico model to data of microbiome fractions from Centre for Holobiont Research members on e.g. human skin, frog skin, fruit skin, plant roots, bee guts. This will enable us to identify key design principles (microbiome interaction network features/motifs) of stable and robust holobionts, to make the microbiome more robust to disturbances. The PhD student will work on this novel project and use state-of-the-art mathematical/computational modelling and machine learning techniques in a collaborative working environment.
Applicants should have excellent mathematical skills, programming expertise, and experience in mechanistic modelling of biological systems. They should have a Masters in computational systems biology, applied mathematics, or a closely related discipline, with previous experience in statistical and machine learning methods and knowledge in basic biology. The candidate should have excellent interpersonal, written and oral communication skills and enthusiasm for exposure to a diversity of scientific projects. They should be able to work independently and as part of a team.
We offer a very supportive and stimulating work environment. We encourage application from talented and ambitious research students with a passion for scientific discovery and a desire to make a difference in society. The PhD student will join a friendly and inclusive team that champions diversity and prioritises the career growth of its researchers.
Deadline: Early January 2025
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