PhD in The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network ANA-KIN

Leiden University; Leiden; On-site; EUR 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Leiden University in the Netherlands seeks a highly motivated researcher to conduct original work in deep learning, AI, and cheminformatics for kinase drug discovery. You will develop and benchmark models, datasets, and decision-support dashboards following FAIR and open-science principles.

You will collaborate with experimental and computational teams, undertake research secondments abroad, publish in top journals, and contribute to educational activities while writing your dissertation.

Qualifications

• MSc in CS/AI/chemistry or related field.
• Strong ML/DL knowledge with PyTorch.
• Experience with cheminformatics or computational chemistry.
• Excellent English writing and speaking.

Responsibilities

• Conduct original research in deep learning, AI, and cheminformatics for kinase drug discovery.
• Develop, benchmark and openly share models, datasets and dashboards.
• Collaborate with experimental and computational teams and carry out secondments abroad.
• Publish and present in international journals and conferences.
• Participate in network-wide training events and outreach activities.
• Contribute to educational activities.
• Write a dissertation.

Skills

Python programming

English proficiency

Machine learning / deep learning

Team collaboration

Mobility & travel willingness

Education

MSc in Computer Science or related field

Tools

PyTorch

RDKit

Job description

Responsibilities

• Conduct original and novel research in deep learning, AI, and cheminformatics for kinase drug discovery
• Develop, benchmark and openly share models, datasets and decision-support dashboards following FAIR and open-science principles
• Collaborate closely with experimental and computational DCs in the network, and carry out two research secondments abroad (VIB and Skylight Therapeutics, Belgium)
• Publish and present scientific articles at international journals and conferences
• Participate in the ANA-KIN network-wide training events, schools and outreach activities
• Contribute to educational activities
• Write a dissertation

Requirements

• A MSc degree in Computer Science, AI, (Computational) Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Biopharmaceutical Sciences, or a relevant related field
• Good knowledge of and experience with machine learning and deep-learning techniques (e.g. PyTorch)
• Good knowledge of and experience with cheminformatics and/or computational chemistry (e.g. RDKit, molecular descriptors, docking)
• Interest in structural biology, protein kinases and drug discovery
• Affinity with peptide or biophysical data is an advantage
• Highly motivated to both perform foundational research and apply the developed methods to real-world problems
• Creative, making things work mentality, independent, and communicative team player
• Willingness to travel and to carry out research secondments at partner institutions abroad
• Excellent programming skills (preferably Python)
• Good academic writing skills and interest in participating in educational activities
• Excellent proficiency in English (oral and written)
• At the date of recruitment, candidates must not have been awarded a doctoral degree
• Mobility rule: candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the date of recruitment
• Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status are not taken into account