Translational Bioinformatics in Complex Diseases Group
Team members
Chen Junfang
Principal Investigator
Dr. Junfang Chen worked as Research Associate in the Central Institute of Mental Health in Germany after obtaining his Ph.D. from Heidelberg University (Summa cum laude). Currently, he is a junior PI at the Greater Bay Area Institute of Precision Medicine (Guangzhou), and the leader of the Translational Bioinformatics in Complex Diseases research group. Over the past years, Dr. Chen has been focusing on translational bioinformatics in psychiatric research, especially the development of computational biology approaches and the application of explainable machine learning models using multi-modal data such as DNA methylome, genomics, transcriptomics, and neuroimaging, as well as clinical phenotypes, aiming at in-depth understanding of the mechanisms of mental disorders, personalized genetic or epigenetic risk prediction, and the identification of novel biomarkers (Schizophrenia Bulletin Open 2021, JAMA Psychiatry 2020, Schizophrenia Bulletin 2020, Translational Psychiatry 2018). The group is committed to developing and applying cutting-edge AI and omics data analytical methodologies to investigate the molecular mechanisms of complex psychiatric disorders and aging, aiding in advancing precision medicine.
WE ARE HIRING!

The Translational Bioinformatics in Complex Diseases group is looking for highly motivated candidates for Post-doc scholars (full-time).

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to 

1. Develop innovative computational approaches for omics and clinical data analysis

2. Design state-of-the-art computational platforms for biomarker detection in psychiatry and aging

3. Deliver computational tools with well-crafted and maintainable code

4. Communicate findings through presentations, and publications on a regular basis

5. Participate in project planning and grant writing


Qualified to be employed as a postdoctor is one who has obtained a doctorate or has equivalent scientific competence. Applicants who have not completed a doctorate at the end of the application period may also apply.

 

1. A doctoral degree related to computational biology, bioinformatics, machine learning, epigenomics, biostatistics, molecular epidemiology, statistics, computer science and neuroscience, as well as aging

2. Familiar with data mining and analysis in genomics, transcriptomics or epigenomics, single-cell omics and neuroimaging, or be proficient in machine learning, and deep learning algorithms

3. Very good programming skills such as R, or Python, familiar with Linux operating environment, and experience in big data analysis is preferred

4. Applicants with the following experience are preferred: Computational epigenomics (DNA methylome analysis), multimodal data integration, (explainable) machine learning model development and application

5. Honesty and strong sense of responsibility, talent in organization and teamwork spirit