Displaying items by tag: Bioinformatics

Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship

Deadline: 6 September 2024

Bioinformatics Postdoctoral Fellowship

Deadline: 15 April 2022

Postdocotroal position - Environmental Microbiology

Department of microbial biochemical and food biotechnology

Apply online
Enquiries regarding this post: Dean: Faculty of Science, Prof Louise Warnich on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Research Unit in Bioinformatics (RUBi) invites applications for a one-year MSc Programme by coursework and research thesis for 2016.

Courses include, but not limited to, Linux, Python programming, Mathematical and Statistical Tools, Genomics, Metagenomics, Structural Bioinformatics, Databases. Projects include, but not limited to, large scale DNA analysis, protein structure-function analysis, inhibitor design, protein-protein and DNA-protein interactions and software development.

Please submit a motivation letter including contact details of two referees with e-mail addresses, CV and detailed academic records (subjects-marks, degree completion). Submissions should be made online at https://rubi.ru.ac.za/apply. The closing date is 30 September 2015.

Please note that this programme does not offer any fellowships. Space is limited and applicants with high marks will have priority.

Reseach details:

Plant biomass-derived bioethanol is regarded as a leading alternative energy source in a fossil fuel dependent energy paradigm. Bioethanol functions as octane enhancer, and can be used to replace up to 15% of petrol. It also acts as a fuel oxygenate in petrol blends allowing more complete combustion and hence, decreased polluting emissions. The departments of Microbiology and Process Engineering at Stellenbosch University, through the South African Research Chair (SARChI) in Biofuels, are at the forefront of South African research to address the shortcomings of plant polysaccharide conversion to bioethanol. Strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were engineered to simultaneously hydrolyse plant materials (cellulose and raw starch) and ferment the resulting monosaccharides through the development of enabling technologies such as advanced plant polysaccharides pretreatment and advanced Consolidated Bioprocessing (CBP). Simplification and cost-reduction of the hydrolysis-fermentation process can be further achieved by integrating superior enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation with more robust yeast into a single unit operation. To achieve this, supportive bioinformatics research dedicated to solving current problems in bioethanol biotechnology, specifically improved industrial performance of yeast strains and improved catalytic efficiency of enzyme hydrolysis, remain key.

After our successful introductory course to next generation sequencing and bioinformatics held at SANBI at the University of the Western Cape in April 2012 in conjunction with IMBM and Roche Diagnostics we are happy to announce that we are running this course again this year along with two advanced courses.

The Next Generation Sequencing Unit at the Central Analytical Facilities (CAF) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join the NGS team and expand the Bioinformatics capacity.

Project title: NGS data analysis in projects related to wheat and wheat diseases
Duration: 2 years

Scope of Research:
CAF currently boasts a SOLiD 5500xl and an Ion Torrent PGM together with conventional sequencing equipment. The DNA Sequencing unit has been operational for over 12 years with recent expansion into the NGS market, and delivers a service to local and international clients from academia as well as industry.

The successful candidate will initially mainly be involved in analysis of data relevant to two projects in the Agri Biotech field.
The first project will generate genomic NGS data for 4 fungal races of the same species. The genomes have to be assembled and annotated. Comparative analysis between the four races will be part of the project in collaboration with the client.
The second project entails transcriptome sequencing of wheat. RNA-seq data will be analyzed and differentially expressed genes be identified for our international collaborator.
The candidate might also be requested to get involved in other projects running at CAF.

Requirements: PhD in Genetics, Bioinformatics, Computer Science or related field (must have graduated within the last five years.

The successful candidate will have at least 2 years experience in the analysis of NGS data preferably with experience of SOLiD data.

• The accepted applicant should have strong written and communication skills, and be proficient in the following:
• Linux
• Open source command line Bioinformatics software
• HPC (not required)
• Perl or Python and shell scripts
• Understanding of basic genetics and molecular techniques

Successful applicants will be subject to University policies and procedures.

Commencement of duties: As soon as possible
Remuneration: A bursary will be available – value depends on experience of successful candidate
Closing date: 7 April 2013

Please Note:

• Postdoctoral fellows do not hold posts or positions; neither do they enter into an employment contract with the University.
• They receive a fellowship in order to conduct research, and do not receive a salary or remuneration for contract research or teaching.
• Their bursaries are paid out via the bursary system and not Human Resources.
• They are not part of the teaching staff of the university, neither are they contract researchers.
• They are not postgraduate students

Enquiries:
Send a letter of application, accompanied by a comprehensive curriculum vitae, including list of publications and the names and contact details of at least two referees, to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Applicants should request their referees to forward confidential reports by the closing date direct to the same address.

Letter from the President of the newly established South African Society for Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (SASBi)

"Dear Colleague

It is my great pleasure to introduce to you the newly established South African Society for Bioinformatics (SASBi). The Society’s first AGM was held during the “Joint Conference of South African Genetics & Bioinformatics Societies: The Data-mining Revolution” in Stellenbosch on 11 September 2012.

We are at the door of a promising future for bioinformatics in South Africa. Bioinformatics is accelerating and gaining momentum throughout the world due to the flood of biological data that needs to be analysed, and which can lead to exciting breakthroughs.

Bioinformatics is interdisciplinary. Thus, our aim includes establishing links and promoting cooperation between the Society and related societies in South Africa and throughout the world. SASBi, as a voice for the bioinformatics community in the country, would like to enhance interactions among people related to bioinformatics.

The Council comprises:

• President: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (RU)
• Vice President: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (UWC)
• Secretary: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (UP)
• Treasurer: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (UP)
• Conferences: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (SUN)
• Public Relations: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.(UCT)
• Web-master: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.(UP)

For further information, please see our web page (http://www.bioinformatics.org.za/), even though it is still under development."

The original letter can be downloaded (see attached pdf file)