"Computational Methods for the Analysis of the Diversity and Dynamics of Genomes"

has currently open positions for graduate students, to study at Simon Fraser University (Vancouver, Canada) and
Bielefeld University (Germany), starting in the fall 2014.

This international graduate program is a close cooperation of:

Bielefeld University, Germany: Graduate progam "DiDy"
Simon Fraser University (SFU), Vancouver, Canada: Graduate program "MADD-Gen"

The available positions include six PhD positions at Bielefeld University, as well as PhD and MSc positions at SFU.

Application deadline: December 31st, 2013
Webpage: http://wiki.techfak.uni-bielefeld.de/didy/Announcement

Conference

7th to 8th October 2013
Berlin, Germany

Website: https://www.gtcbio.com/conference/ngseurope-overview
Contact person: Kristen Starkey

We welcome you to join us at GTC’s NGS & Bioinformatics Summit Europe on October 7-8, 2013 in Berlin, Germany.

Organized by: GTC
Deadline for abstracts/proposals: 7th September 2013

Apply to Genotypic Technology if you are a PhD in Life Sciences/ Molecular Biology/ Biotechnology/ Human Genetics/ Bioinformatics with minimum 4-5 years post doctoral experience as well as publications in peer reviewed journals.

Source: http://www.genotypic.co.in/Careers/2/Current-Openings.aspx

Link @ http://bioinf.boku.ac.at/

All applications sent before 2nd of February 2015.

http://www.mind-project.eu/career

for applicants interested in performing high-quality research on the connection between software engineering, database systems, and theoretical computer science as well as their applications in bioinformatics and business informatics. The research programme will start on October 1, 2013 until 30.09.2016. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz – WissZeitVG).

This research programme is a joint activity of Professors Lehner, Assmann, Baader, Baier, Schill, Schlegel, Schroeder, and Strahringer at TU Dresden. Alongside their research, an individual mentoring and qualification approach are arranged with specialized courses that prepare them optimally for their research, a research seminar where they can meet internationally renowned researchers in the field, and soft skills and language courses.

Requirements: Applicants should have an excellent academic record, and hold a MSc (or an equivalent university degree) in computer science or related disciplines (such as mathematics, bioinformatics or business informatics). Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Applicants with a good knowledge of software engineering or one of the application areas mentioned above are preferred. TU Dresden is committed to increase the proportion of women in research.

Applications from women are particularly welcome. The same applies to disabled people.

Please send enquiries to: wolfgang.lehner@tu-dresden.de

Applications consist of a CV, the names of two referees, transcipts of documents summarizing their academic performance, and a statement of interest. Application by email in pdf format is preferred, and should be submitted to wolfgang.lehner@tu-dresden.de in an electronically signed and encrypted form by July 30, 2013 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service applies). Alternatively, applications can be sent to: TU Dresden, Fakultät Informatik, Institut für Systemarchitektur, Prof.  Dr.-Ing.  Wolfgang Lehner, 01062 Dresden, Germany.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to Dresden in the middle of August to give a presentation on their Master’s thesis and discuss their research interest with the participating professors. Candidates that have not yet finished their degree when they send in their application should send preliminary transcripts of their academic records as well as a letter by the thesis adviser that comments on their progress so far and on the expected date of completion of their MSc or equivalent degree.

The closing date for application will be 26 June 2015.

Link @ http://lgfus.ca/public/

Usually when you apply anywhere you need to fulfill some specific kind of requirements which usually include writing a formal application, letter of motivation, research proposal etc. Usually it is hard for grad students to write a crisp, clean and clear letter of motivation. To be honest, you may find several posts on the internet which do tell you how to write professionally. They are good enough to clearly tell you what points should be included, what not and many other things to learn about professional writing. Still, when I look back at my graduation days, I know even after reading many instructions I was not able to write ‘to-the-point’. According to me , writing skill is not something that you can part in binary like- ‘I write perfectly’ or ‘I can not write even a word’. It is something that you learn and get better with the the time. So, I am not going to pin-point the suggestions because you can get it many where but some ‘to-the-point’ things which you may use directly in your letter.

Ideas and main points

Start with writing down some of the main ideas, important points you would like to approach in your letter and later build around them, enrich their content; an example would be :

1. Make your goal clear; provide a short preview of the rest of the letter;
2. Why do you think that the university and the Master's program are interesting and suitable for you? ;
3. Focus on some of your strongest qualifications, past experiences (international experiences are always relevant) and qualities; organise the middle paragraphs in terms of the qualifications most relevant to the programme, you can also refer to your CV for more details;
4. Conclude by restating your interest and show appreciation for the chance to prove yourself in the letter (in some cases you can ask for a personal interview)

How to start-
Your very first line should not be just a line but an impression and reference. None would want to read you unless he knows what it is about. Just like this post. If I would not have written that it is about writing a motivation-letter, you probably would not get annoyed. So start by writing what your letter is about. It could seem like this-

Letter Of Application

Your Address And Contact Details

Receiver’s Address

Dear XYZ

I would like to apply for the…..

or

I am writing here to apply for the…

or

This is regarding your advert. published….

Then Tell Background like-
As my resume reveals, I have Bachelor`s degree from XYZ University and currently, I am…..

Be sure to signify your institution/University like-
I am privileged to obtain my postgraduate education in Bioinformatics at XXX which is known for its enriching academic ambiance where learning and research complement each other.

Then tell about your professional experience like-
Being taught by eminent faculty, I have developed a big interest and passion towards Bioinformatics and managed to have a strong foundation in ……

After that tell how this position would help you, like-
The opportunity to participate in this study would foster….

Assure them that you will make use of whatever you learn there, like-
I plan to ensure the further dissemination of the knowledge and experience gained by this opportunity in…

Close the letter with usual formality, like-
I, hereby enclose a copy of my CV/Resume (whatever it is, there is a difference we all know it) with the hope of consideration. Looking forward to hearing from you.

All the things written above is just my view. You still should see and learn which can be done by one thing and that is -reading about it. Then , please try to write yourself, do not copy /paste. Whatever is written in the post is just to have an idea about the things that should be included in the letter of motivation. You need to write accordingly with a wise choice of words.
Hope this was helpful. You may comment or ask anything if you want to.

Faculty facilitator/Founder Director for two start-up companies (Leadinvent incubated at IIT, Delhi from 2006-2009 & Novoinformatics, under incubation at IIT Delhi since 2011).

Research Interest
Genome Analysis, Protein Structure Prediction and Drug Design.

Link @ http://www.scfbio-iitd.res.in/