The Department of Clinical Medicine at the Faculty of Health at Aarhus University invites applications for two full-time postdoc positions in generative AI modeling and cancer detection, starting September 1st, 2025, or as soon as possible. The positions are for two years with potential for extension.
We seek outstanding candidates to develop generative-AI-based statistical methods for blood-based cancer detection. You will apply the methods to unprecedented genome-wide circulating cell-free DNA data sets from cancer patients and healthy individuals. The data contains rich information on cancer presence, type, and epigenomic regulation. You will develop predictive statistical methods to improve our ability to detect and characterize cancer from blood and other liquid biopsies, characterize chromatin structure, and improve nucleosome maps.
The positions are part of the project: “Development and application of generative AI models for ctDNA detection and characterization,” supported by the Novo Nordic Foundation. You will join a vibrant research team led by Prof. Jakob Skou Pedersen that uses generative AI for cancer genomics and single-cell data analysis.
Department of Clinical Medicine
As a postdoc at the Department of Clinical Medicine, you will be part of what is probably the largest health science research department in Denmark. Our clinical research covers all the medical specialities and takes place in close collaboration with the university hospital and the regional hospitals in the Central Denmark Region. We have approx. 30,000 square meters of modern research facilities for experimental surgery and medicine, animal facilities and also advanced scanners at our disposal. The department has overall responsibility for the Master's degree programs in medicine and in molecular medicine. At the department we are approx. 670 academic employees, 500 PhD students and 160 technical/administrative employees who are cooperating across disciplines. As a postdoc, you will be working at Aarhus University Hospital or another hospital in the Central Denmark Region. You can read more about the department here and about the faculty here.
About The Research Projects
The projects will use generative AI modeling techniques to develop predictive models for cancer detection and characterization from circulating cell-free DNA deeply sequenced from liquid biopsies of cancer patients and healthy controls. There will be a dual focus on method development and application on large-scale data sets, with the balance dependent on the candidates’ skills and interests. We have access to thousands of whole-genome-sequenced cell-free DNA samples and collaborate closely with the local clinical translational groups that have generated these core data sets.
The project is based at the Department of Molecular Medicine (MOMA) at Aarhus University Hospital, where the candidate will work in the Computational Genomics and Transcriptomics Group led by Prof. Jakob Skou Pedersen (https://www.moma.dk/). Group members are affiliated with the Bioinformatics Research Center (BiRC), Aarhus University, and the National Pioneer Centre for Artificial Intelligence and collaborate closely with local, national, and international partners. We develop new statistical approaches to address new questions by analyzing large omics data sets.
Your Job Responsibilities
As a postdoc in generative AI modeling and cancer detection, your position is primarily research-based and may also involve teaching assignments. You will contribute to the development of the department through research of high international quality. In your daily work, you will work closely with colleagues on your project, where you will receive supervision and guidance.
Your Main Tasks Will Consist Of
- Independent research of high international quality, including publication.
- Statistical modelling using generative AI.
- Develop predictive statistical methods for cancer detection or characterization.
- Maintaining a high degree of technical expertise.
- Analyse and interpret large-scale omics data sets.
- Interaction with other team members to help facilitate method development and data analysis.
- Interaction with various collaborators, local, national, and international
- The position may also include co-supervision of PhD, MSc, MD and/or BSc students.
- The position may also include grant writing or assistance with grant writing.
You will report to Professor Jakob Skou Pedersen, Department of Molecular Medicine.
Your competences
Qualifications
You have academic qualifications at PhD level, for example, in computational statistics, bioinformatics, data science, computer science, or similar areas. In addition, the following qualifications will be advantageous:
- Published peer-reviewed articles in international journals.
- Training in statistics and machine learning.
- Experience with generative AI modeling
- Bioinformatics.
- Handling and analysis of large data sets.
- Research experience in genomics and/or transcriptomics.
- Knowledge of cancer and/or nucleosome biology.
- Programming proficiency, with Python experience.
- Rich in initiative and a strong motivation for research
You have good interpersonal skills, are inclusive and team-oriented, and can contribute to a good work environment. We expect you to be fluent in oral and written English.
To be assessed as qualified for a Postdoc position, you must meet these academic criteria.
Shortlisting will be used.
Questions About The Position
If you have any questions about the position, please contact Professor Jakob Skou Pedersen tel.: ( 45) 7845 5360.
Your place of work will be the Department of Molecular Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Palle Juul-Jensens Boulevard 99, 8200 Aarhus N, Denmark.
We expect to conduct interviews in week 24.
Demo
Aarhus, Central Denmark Region
Full Time