We have currently one Ph.D. fellowship available for a candidate with a strong interest in machine learning (probabilistic graphical models and kernel methods) and in bioinformatics (genomic data fusion). See full announcement below. Best regards, Yves Moreau K.U.Leuven ESAT-SCD DESCRIPTION: One 3-year Ph.D. fellowship supported by the European Commission is available starting on November 1st, 2005 with the Bioinformatics team (http://www.esat.kuleuven.ac.be/~dna/bioi/) at the University of Leuven under the supervision of Prof. Yves Moreau and Prof. Bart De Moor. The research project, part of the EU funded BIOPTRAIN program, will tackle the development of new algorithms for genomic data fusion using probabilistic graphical models and kernel methods. These methods will be applied to the prioritization of candidate genes from high-throughput genomic studies using multiple heterogeneous sources of information (sequence analysis, gene expression data, functional annotation, literature mining). A functional prototype has already been developed and is available at http://www.esat.kuleuven.ac.be/endeavour. The goal of the Ph.D. will be to develop powerful new algorithms on top of the existing software architecture. Our bioinformatics group (http://www.esat.kuleuven.ac.be/~dna/bioi/) is highly dynamic (currently about twenty members) and the University of Leuven is one of Europe's leading universities in the Life Sciences, which offers many collaboration opportunities. Leuven is a charming Renaissance-style city next to Brussels, Belgium. It is ideally located in Europe with excellent flight and train connections to the rest of Europe. QUALIFICATIONS: The ideal candidate will have a master's degree (or equivalent) in, for example, statistics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or physics. A solid mathematical background is required. Previous knowledge of artificial intelligence, statistics, or bioinformatics is highly desirable. EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY: Fellows will be recruited under an employment contract and will benefit from travel and mobility allowances. The remuneration package is highly competitive for a position at this level. Additional details about these positions (in particular, salary and eligibility) can be found in the EST Handbook (http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/fp6/mariecurie-actions/pdf/est_hand.pdf; pp.21-29). Women in particular are invited to apply. If several applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, EU rules on equal opportunities will be applied. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: An approximate summary of the complex eligibility criteria is as follows: * Candidates should NOT have more than 4 years of research or R&D experience (following the first university degree that allows them to enter a Ph.D. program) and NOT yet hold a Ph.D. * Candidates should NOT be Belgian (or, if Belgian, must have resided outside the EU for four of the last five years). * Candidates should NOT have resided in Belgium for more than 12 months in the past 3 years. * Non-EU candidates can apply (but competition is fierce because only 30% of all fellowships can be awarded to non-EU citizens). * Non-EU candidates who have been residing in a European country for 4 of the last 5 years are assimilated to EU candidates (and thus are not constrained by the previous 30% rule). HOW TO APPLY: Applications should include your CV, a one-page statement of your research interests and motivations for pursuing Ph.D. studies, and contact information (including email addresses) for at least two references. Please send your application, preferably by email, to the attention of Prof. Yves Moreau at Bart.Motmans@esat.kuleuven.ac.be (using PDF or plain text for your attachments) or by surface mail to Prof. Yves Moreau K.U.Leuven ESAT-SCD (Bioinformatics) Kasteelpark Arenberg 10 B-3001 Leuven Belgium DEADLINE: The positions will be filled a.s.a.p. 10 other EST positions are currently open with the other BIOPTRAIN partners, see http://www.bioptrain.org/index.php/Applications.