close

Postdoc Position in Predicting and Designing Olfactory Molecules

Updated: 17 Sep 2024

link
provider logo
Research / Academic
Amsterdam

This 18 months postdoc position is one of several collaborative cross-disciplinary projects between several institutes of the University of Amsterdam as part of the new Molecular and Materials Design Technology hub (MMD), also see the link.

The general goal of this project is to “crack the code” of olfactory molecules (smell, odor) with the help of machine learning. Olfactory (smell, odor) interactions are the language of life (consider the role of scent in mating or locating food) and are central to countless applications in health and the environment, such as disease identification and pest control. A better understanding of structural properties of the design of olfactory molecules will lead to advances in all these applications. Unfortunately, the odor space comprises a virtually endless array of stimuli that cannot be classified into a single physical parameter. However, there are now many large olfactory datasets ranging from insects to humans that can be used for data-driven approaches to discover predictive patterns in the odor space. We are aiming at impactful science for controllable olfactory molecule design.

The ideal candidate has a technical background in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence or a closely related field and has interest in learning a lot more about the above application areas from a biological and chemical point of view. The postdoc will be located at the Science Park at the University of Amsterdam and become part of the dynamic community at the Faculty of Natural Sciences.

What are you going to do?

  • catch up on the necessary background knowledge on the topic from a biological and chemical point of view, gather all relevant literature and available datasets on olfactory molecules, do basic data exploration, visualization and presentations;
  • develop and apply machine learning algorithms on the datasets that allow for the extraction of the relevant geometric and chemical predictive features of the olfactory molecules that are associated with certain properties like odor, smell and receptor interactions, etc.;
  • publish results in relevant international journals in the application;
  • present noval developed tools at relevant international machine learning conferences. For the latter task a good understanding of the recent developments in machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence and their applications to the sciences is key.


What do you have to offer?
You are a highly motivated, independent postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in machine learning and with strong interest in its applications to science in general, and to olfactory biochemistry in particular.

Your experience and profile:

  • a PhD in data science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, computational statistics, etc., or a PhD in another natural science plus substantial experience in the former topics;
  • a good understanding of the recent developments in machine learning, deep learning, artificial intelligence and their applications to the sciences;
  • a committed researcher, demonstrated by publications in international, peer-reviewed academic journals and/or conferences;
  • both the ability to work independently and to work in a team are essential;
  • excellent English skills.


Our offer
We offer a temporary employment contract for 38 hours per week for a period of 20 months. The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week and dependent on relevant experience, ranges between € 3,345 to € 5,278 (scale 10). This does not include 8% holiday allowance and 8,3% year-end allowance. The UFO profile Researcher 4 is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

  • 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
  • multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
  • a complete educational program for PhD students;
  • multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
  • multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
  • 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
  • partly paid parental leave;
  • the possibility to set up a workplace at home;
  • a pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
  • the possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch.


Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.

About us
The University of Amsterdam is the Netherlands' largest university, offering the widest range of academic programmes. At the UvA, 30,000 students, 6,000 staff members and 3,000 PhD candidates study and work in a diverse range of fields, connected by a culture of curiosity.

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 8,000, as well as 1,800 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The position will be affiliated with 4 of the 8 institutes of the Faculty of Science: The Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), Korteweg-de Vries Institute for Mathematics (KdVI), Van 't Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) and the Informatics Institute (IvI).

IBED
The research at Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED) aims to unravel how ecosystems function in all their complexity, and how they change due to natural processes and human activities. At its core lies an integrated systems approach to study biodiversity, ecosystems and the environment. IBED adopts this systems approach to ecosystems, addressing abiotic and biotic factors, and the interplay between those. The IBED vision includes research encompassing experimental and theoretical approaches at a wide variety of temporal and spatial scales, i.e. from molecules and microorganisms to patterns and processes occurring at the global scale. The University of Amsterdam has excellent high performance computing facilities. Furthermore, IBED has a dedicated computational support team with specialized knowledge of bioinformatics, (geo)database management and scientific programming. IBED also works with non-academic partners to deliver transdisciplinary science for society.

KdVI
The Korteweg-de Vries Institute for Mathematics (KdVI) is the mathematics research institute at the University of Amsterdam. We conduct world-class research in the fields of Algebra, Geometry and Mathematical Physics; Pure, Applied and Numerical Analysis; Stochastics; and Discrete Mathematics and Quantum Information. A smaller portion of our research is directed at teaching (focus area blended learning) or history of mathematics. In addition, we are involved with various national and international research collaborations.

HIMS
The Van ‘t Hoff Institute for Molecular Sciences (HIMS) is one of eight institutes of the University of Amsterdam (UvA) Faculty of Science. HIMS performs internationally recognized chemistry and molecular research, curiosity driven as well as application driven. This is done in close cooperation with the chemical, flavour & food, medical and high-tech industries. Research is organized into four themes: Analytical Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Synthesis & Catalysis and Molecular Photonics.

IvI
The mission of the Informatics Institute (IvI) is to perform curiosity-driven and use-inspired fundamental research and to train talent by high-quality academic education in diverse areas of informatics. IvI’s research involves complex information systems focusing on collaborative, data driven, computational and intelligent systems. The Informatics Institute has clustered its research in five recognisable research themes: Artificial Intelligence; Computational Science; Data Science; People, Science & Technology and Systems and Networking. Groups or individual researchers within groups position themselves, either in one theme but more often on the intersection of two or more themes.

This position will also be affiliated with the AI4Science Lab, which is part of the Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab (AMLab) inside the Informatics Institute, and which focuses on the development of machine learning methods with application areas in other sciences.

Want to know more about our organisation? Read more about working at the University of Amsterdam.

Any questions?
Do you have any questions, or do you require additional information? Please contact:


Job application
If you feel the profile fits you, and you are interested in the job, we look forward to receiving your application. You can apply online via the button below. We accept applications until and including 7 October 2024.

Applications should include the following information (all files besides your CV should be submitted in one single pdf file):

  • a detailed CV including:
    • your education and employment background (please use months, not just years, to indicate durations);
    • your publications;
    • any grants, awards, or recognitions;
    • your teaching experiences.
  • a letter of motivation, not to exceed one page, describing your motivation for this position and how your background particularly suits you for it;
  • a one page research statement;
  • the names and email addresses of two references who can provide letters of recommendation.


Only complete applications received within the response period via the link below will be considered.

A knowledge security check can be part of the selection procedure.

(for details: national knowledge security guidelines)

The interviews will be held in October 2024.

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritize diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

No agencies please.

Work Hours:

38 hours per week

Address:

Science Park 904