PhD Position in AI-Driven Reconstruction, UMCG, Netherlands

Summary

The Department of Genetics at UMCG is offering a fully funded PhD position focusing on the inference of gene regulatory networks utilizing AI. This role involves applying innovative methods to analyze large-scale human genetic data and explore the connections between genetic variants and brain functions.

PhD Position in AI-Driven Reconstruction of Gene Regulatory Networks in the Human Brain, UMCG, Netherlands

Designation

PhD Student

Table

Eligibility/Qualification

• Required:
• Master’s degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, AI, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Physics, or a related field.
• Strong programming skills in Python.
• Nice to have:
• Experience in statistical genetics (eQTLs, GWAS).
• Familiarity with machine learning or deep learning methods.
• Experience working with single-cell or multi-omics data.
• Interest in neuroscience or neurodegenerative disease biology.

Job Description

As a PhD student, you will:

• Develop methods to infer directed gene regulatory networks from human genetic data.
• Conduct cis-eQTL and trans-eQTL analyses in brain datasets.
• Integrate single-cell RNA-seq and multi-omics data to infer regulatory structures.
• Explore regulatory effects across different brain cell types and disease contexts.
• Extend causal inference frameworks from blood to brain tissue.
• Contribute to open-source software and publish findings.
• Present research at international conferences.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit:

• CV
• Motivation letter
• Optional links to technical projects (e.g., GitHub)
• Contact information for referees

Applications must be submitted through the digital application form available on the UMCG website.

Last Date to Apply

July 15, 2026

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