Graduate Assistant Position in Computational Multi-Omics and Systems Biology of Metabolic Disease

Introduction

The University of Lausanne (UNIL) is a leading public institution of higher education and research in Switzerland. It is composed of seven faculties for a total of approximately 17’000 students and employs around 5’000 researchers, teachers and technical staff. Life sciences and medicine is one of its three main axis of research, together with social and environmental sciences. The hosting laboratory is part of the Department of Biomedical Sciences (DBS) within the Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM) at UNIL. It benefits from close proximity to the Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), consistently ranked among the world’s top 10 academic medical centers, fostering a rich and collaborative biomedical research environment.

Presentation

The laboratory of Prof. Yibo Wu at DBS is inviting applications from a highly motivated PhD candidate. Our research aims to unravel the molecular mechanisms linking white adipose tissue (WAT) inflammation to obesity, its associated metabolic complications, and its role in mediating responses to emerging therapies. We leverage advanced multilayered omics technologies to map diet- and treatment-responsive pathways. The PhD candidate will develop computational strategies and apply systems-level integration of these omics datasets to uncover mechanisms that regulate adipose tissue function and systemic metabolism.

Job information

Expected start date: 01.01.2026 or upon agreement
Contract duration: 1 year with possibility of renewal, maximum 5 years
Percentage of activity: 100% 
Location: Lausanne, UNIL-FBM Bugnon 

Your responsibilities

The PhD candidate will:
    •    Develop and apply computational pipelines for the analysis of proteomic, transcriptomic, and metabolomic datasets.
    •    Perform integrative analyses across multi-omics layers to identify regulators of adipose tissue inflammation and metabolic dysfunction.
    •    Implement statistical models and network-based approaches to reveal key pathways, interactions, and biomarkers.
    •    Collaborate closely with wet-lab researchers to align computational hypotheses with experimental design and data generation.
    •    Contribute to data visualization, manuscript writing, and conference presentations.
 

Your qualifications

•    Master’s degree in bioinformatics, computational biology, systems biology, or related field.
    •    Strong programming skills in R and/or Python.
    •    Basic knowledge in core statistical methods (e.g., differential expression analysis, multivariate analysis) for omics data.
    •    Enthusiasm for biological questions related to metabolism, inflammation, and therapeutic interventions.
    •    Analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment.
    •    Proficient written and spoken English communication skills.
Desirable:
    •    Familiarity with machine learning approaches for large-scale biological data.
    •    Prior experience with single-cell data analysis.
    •    Exposure to metabolism, obesity, or related biomedical research topics.

What the position offers you

You will join a growing research group dedicated to understanding obesity and metabolic diseases through cutting-edge proteomics and systems biology. This PhD position places you at the forefront of innovative research, where you'll contribute to projects that combine advanced techniques to decode molecular mechanisms impacting human metabolic health. 
Our group is committed to your academic and professional growth, offering a dynamic and supportive research environment. You'll have access to state-of-the-art mass spectrometry and other experimental tools, along with mentorship from experts across disciplines. We offer ample opportunities to present your work at prestigious conferences and publish in high-impact journals, fostering your development as an independent scientist.
Beyond the scientific advantages, you'll thrive in a stimulating and interdisciplinary research environment with access to world-class core facilities and attractive employment conditions in Switzerland. The position is located on the UNIL/CHUV medical campus in Lausanne, close to EPFL, offering an intellectually stimulating atmosphere just minutes from Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps.
 

Contact for further information

Prof. Yibo Wu
E-mail : E-Mail schreiben

Your application

Please send your full application in pdf.

The complete application should contain:
·      Cover letter outlining your motivation for the PhD position, relevant research experience and future research interests
·      Curriculum vitae
·      Academic diploma
·      List of publications (if any) 
·      Contact information for three references
Review of applications will begin on October 15, 2025, and continue until the position is filled.

Only applications submitted through the official recruitment portal will be considered. 

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:
•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
•    supporting early career researchers.

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