Position Summary
Position:
Department:
Department of Computer Science and Engineering
Institute:
Chalmers University of Technology
Country:
Sweden
Research Field:
Computational Genomics, Computer Science, Engineering
Posted Date:
Mar 21, 2026
Deadline:
May 01, 2026
Offer Period:
4 Years
Offer Start Date:
NA
PhD Position in Computational Genomics
Description:
- This highly interdisciplinary project (in Computational Genomics) focuses on studying genetic variation in noncoding regions of the human genome by leveraging evolutionary information and developing models that predict the effects of variants. We tackle this challenge via two main directions: (1) developing efficient pangenomic data structures and evolutionary models, and (2) designing deep learning architectures trained on genomic data. The lab is also open to discussing research projects based on the candidate’s strengths.
What you will do
- Take courses at an advanced level within the Graduate school of Computer Science and Engineering
- Develop and pursue an independent research project that contributes to or builds upon existing and ongoing research of the group
- Develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally and in writing
- The position also includes teaching on Chalmers' undergraduate level or performing other duties corresponding to 20 percent of working hours
Required Qualification:
Essential Qualification:
- A Master's degree (masterexamen) of 120 credits or a Master’s degree (magisterexamen) of 60 credits*
- Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
- Highly proficient in a programming language (C++, Python, Rust, …).
- Demonstrated experience in one of the following areas, with a willingness to learn one another: (1) genome sequences and omics data, (2) deep learning, and (3) compressed data structures for strings.
- *for students with an education earned outside of Sweden, a 4-year Bachelor’s degree is accepted.
Preferred Qualification:
- Course work in bioinformatic algorithms, data structures and algorithms, and deep learning.
- Experience with workflow management systems (nextflow, Snakemake), SLURM, and bioinformatics tools (aligner, variant caller, samtools, Pysam).
- Experience in mathematical modeling of DNA or protein evolution.
- Hands-on experience with model training (CNNs, transformers, ...) and libraries (TensorFlow, PyTorch).
- Experience in software and method development.
Employment Conditions and Benefits:
Contract duration:
- The Doctoral student positions are fully funded from start.
- The position is a fixed-term appointment of four years, with 20% teaching or other departmental duties, which extends the position up to five years.
- A starting salary of 34,550 SEK per month (valid from May 25, 2025).
- Doctoral studies require physical presence throughout the entire study period. A valid residence permit must be presented by the study start date; otherwise the admission may be withdrawn.
Benefits:
- As a Doctoral student at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
- A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
- Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.
Application Process:
Documents Required:
- CV
- Personal letter
- A brief introduction about yourself.
- A brief motivation as to why you are interested in this position.
- Bachelor’s and, if available, master’s thesis together with the transcripts.
- A brief introduction about yourself.
- A brief motivation as to why you are interested in this position.
How to apply:
- The application should be written in English be attached as PDF-files.
- Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.
About the Host Lab Group/Institution:
- The Department of Computer Science and Engineering, a joint department of Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg, spans the breadth of computing disciplines. Our internationally visible research, strong industry links and diverse environment create a collaborative setting where ideas grow into real impact. At the division of Data Science and AI, we develop data-driven methods and AI solutions that support intelligent decisions across society, advancing machine learning techniques, from foundations to industrial and scientific applications.
- Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.
- The CGR lab conducts research at the cutting edge of computational biology and bioinformatics. We aim to understand human genome variation and evolution across different genomic regions by developing interpretable and efficient methods in comparative pangenomics, leveraging machine learning methods and statistical analysis (https://cgrlab.github.io/research/).
Explore Other Similar Positions:
You may also be interested in the following PhD positions. These opportunities are currently open across universities and research institutes worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who can apply for a PhD position?
PhD positions are open to candidates who hold, or will soon complete, a relevant Master’s degree or equivalent qualification in a related field. Specific academic requirements may vary depending on the institution and research project.
Can international candidates apply?
Yes. Most PhD positions are open to international applicants. Universities usually provide support for visa applications and residence permits, subject to national regulations.
Is a Master’s degree mandatory for applying to a PhD?
In most cases, a completed Master’s degree is required. However, some institutions may consider exceptional candidates with strong academic backgrounds or integrated Master–PhD programs.
What is the typical duration of a PhD program?
A PhD program typically lasts 3 to 5 years, depending on the country, funding scheme, and research field. Some programs may allow extensions under specific circumstances.
Is the PhD position fully funded?
Most advertised PhD positions are fully funded and include a monthly salary or stipend. Funding details, tuition coverage, and benefits are usually specified in the job description.
Are PhD candidates considered students or employees?
This depends on the country and institution. In many European countries, PhD candidates are employed as staff members, while in others they may be registered as students receiving a stipend.
Are teaching responsibilities included in PhD positions?
Teaching duties vary by institution. Some PhD positions include teaching or lab supervision, while others are research-only. The exact expectations are described in each job advertisement.
Disclaimer:
This position is published for informational purposes. Please refer to the official application link for the most accurate and up-to-date details.