Group Leader in One Health Environmental Informatics

Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre (LBMC) invites applications for the position of Group Leader within the One Health Informatics Centre (OHIC), established under the ERA Chair project EchoHEALTH. This project aims to establish a new research unit to lead the integration and analysis of environmental, health, and omics data for improved public health insights, with a particular focus on environmental metagenomics, microbial genomics, and advanced bioinformatics. This position offers a unique opportunity to start something new in a leading research institute and to establish oneself as a Principal Investigator.

We seek a talented scientist with a strong research vision and the ability to develop and lead a competitive Research Group. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to work across disciplines and a research profile aligned with the aims of the EchoHEALTH project.

The recruited Group Leader is expected to develop a research program in one or more of the following areas:

Environmental metagenomics with emphasis on microbial community structure, bacterial genome plasticity, and antimicrobial resistance.

Large-scale multi-omics data integration and analysis, including clinical, environmental, and genomic datasets.

Bioinformatics and AI-driven approaches to support integrative One Health research, with potential applications in exposome studies and environmental health analytics.

Candidates with a primary interest in environmental and microbial genomics and the capacity to link these with human omics data are especially encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

Establish and lead an independent research group.

Facilitate the development of bioinformatics competencies at LBMC.

Design and implement research projects aligned with EchoHEALTH goals.

Collaborate with the ERA Chair and other institutional teams.

Attract competitive research funding nationally and internationally. Mentor postdocs, PhD students, and other junior researchers.

Contribute to the development of OMIC's data integration infrastructure.

Requirements

PhD or equivalent in bioinformatics, computational biology, microbial genomics, environmental sciences, or related fields.

Postdoctoral experience with an excellent scientific track record.

Proven expertise in environmental genomics, metagenomics, or large-scale omics data analysis.

Experience with machine learning or AI approaches in biological data is an asset.

Strong leadership and communication skills.

Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary and international environment.

Willingness to participate in national and European research networks.

What We Offer:

Apply by September 23, 2025.

💰 Euro 38 EUR/H

A unique opportunity to establish and lead a new research direction within a major Horizon Europe project.

Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure, including national biobank and genome data, high-performance computing, and environmental surveillance systems.

Competitive salary and support for team building, including initial positions for 2 postdocs and 1 PhD student.

A collaborative and dynamic research environment within a leading research institute implementing an ambitious European One Health initiative.

Support for career development.

The initial contract is for 4 years.

Application Process

Applications must include:

Cover letter outlining the candidate’s vision and fit for the position.

Curriculum vitae including a full list of publications.

One page summary of past research achievements.

Names and contact information of at least two referees.

LBMC is Latvia’s leading institution in the field of biomedicine and molecular biology, housing the country’s National Biobank and Genome Database providing access to a unique molecular data resource. LBMC serves as the official national node of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), BBMRI, 1+Million Genomes initiative and is represented in other international activities. The Centre is advised by an International Scientific Advisory Board composed of world-renowned experts and is a driving force behind the development of the largest biomolecular and biotechnology hub in the Baltic region. LBMC combines cutting-edge infrastructure with strategic research initiatives in genomics, bioinformatics, and translational medicine.

Applications should be submitted via email to [email protected] by September 22, 2025, with the subject line: Group Leader Application – EchoHEALTH