Category: Opportunities Outside IOB

The Computational Genetics section at the Department of Clinical Sciences, SLU, Uppsala, Sweden is seeking a postdoc to further the lab’s understanding on the contribution of epistasis to phenotypic robustness.

This postholder will be part of an ongoing effort to understand the genetic regulation of between-genotype variance heterogeneity. The lab is currently in the process of developing a number of statistical and computational methods and tools to explore the extent of genetic variance-heterogeneity in experimental datasets from model-organisms, plants, animals and humans.

The post-doctoral researcher joining this project will, depending on the background, competence and interest, be involved in either i) implementing and/or testing newly developed methods in simulated and experimental datasets, ii) using the already available methods to explore the extent of genetic variance-control in experimental data and the potential contribution of epistasis to the detected signals, iii) exploring the potential contribution of genetic variance-control and epistasis to phenotypic robustness in experimental data, or a combination of all three topics.

There is no formal requirement on background, but a a sincere interest in the topic, a relevant scientific education (Ph.D. degree or similar) and an interest in quantitative, population, and evolutionary genetics are expected. A strong mathematical / statistical background and programming experience is an advantage.

To learn more, visit http://www.computationalgenetics.se or contact Örjan Carlborg (orjan.carlborg@slu.se). All interested in applying should email a short description of how you feel that you can contribute to this interdisciplinary work along with a CV and a list of previous publications.

Stockholm University is seeking several postdoctoral reasearchers to study the genetic, physiological, and ecological basis of insect life cycle adaptation in the wild. The project aims to integrate the extensive ecological knowledge available for the butterfly Pieris napi with molecular tools available for the Drosophila model system.

The team of researchers will initially target the genetic and plastic variation underlying diapause, wing color variation and immunity.

Available positions include a two-year postdoctoral position to work on P. napi ecological genomics, a two-year postdoctoral position to work on the genetics and biology of Drosophila diapause, a PhD position focused primarily upon P. napi ecological genomics, a researcher at any level able to contribute with bioinformatics experience suitable for this five-year project.
This project is funded by the K&A Wallenberg Foundation and the Swedish Research Council.  Those eligbile should contact Prof. Sören Nylin (soren.nylin@zoologi.su.se) for further information.

The University of Chicago is seeking two postdoctoral researchers to work with Yoav Gilad and Jonathan Pritchard in the Department of Human Genetics.

One of the main challenges for geneticists in the ‘post-genome’ era is to understand the genetic architecture of gene regulation and how differences in gene regulation affect complex phenotypes, including human diseases. By collecting valuable samples, developing and adapting new technologies, and combining expertise in evolutionary biology, comparative genetics, and genomics, these groups have made key contributions to the study of gene regulation in humans and closely related primates.

The open postdoc positions are not targeted to specific projects; postdocs are expected to choose a project based on their own interests. Both empirical and computational biologists are encouraged to apply.

If interested, email a cover letter outlining your research experience and interests, a CV, and contact information for 3 referees to Yoav Gilad (gilad@uchicago.edu).

For more details on the research, go to: http://giladlab.uchicago.edu/

The University of South Carolina is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to study genomic approaches to plant diversity and crop improvement in the laboratory of Stephen Kresovich.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of computational, laboratory, and field-based scientists studying sorghum, sugarcane, and related C4 crops in the context of food security, bioenergy, and health effects.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop independent research objectives building on ongoing high-throughput data generation and an established network of international collaborators (e.g. http://www.pnas.org/content/110/2/453.long). Potential project areas include (1) population genomics of global crop diversity, (2) quantitative genomics of agronomic and adaptive traits, (3) comparative genomics of C4 grasses, and (4) functional genomics of metabolic and developmental networks.

The candidate should be highly motivated in research and have a strong interest in broader impacts. Qualified applicants will have completed a PhD in genomics, bioinformatics, or related field with experience analyzing high-throughput data and proven skills in at least one programming language.

For more information, contact Stephen Kresovich (sk@mailbox.sc.edu)

The University of South Carolina is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to study genomic approaches to plant diversity and crop improvement in the laboratory of Stephen Kresovich.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of computational, laboratory, and field-based scientists studying sorghum, sugarcane, and related C4 crops in the context of food security, bioenergy, and health effects.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to develop independent research objectives building on ongoing high-throughput data generation and an established network of international collaborators (e.g. http://www.pnas.org/content/110/2/453.long). Potential project areas include (1) population genomics of global crop diversity, (2) quantitative genomics of agronomic and adaptive traits, (3) comparative genomics of C4 grasses, and (4) functional genomics of metabolic and developmental networks.

The candidate should be highly motivated in research and have a strong interest in broader impacts. Qualified applicants will have completed a PhD in genomics, bioinformatics, or related field with experience analyzing high-throughput data and proven skills in at least one programming language.

For more information, contact Stephen Kresovich (sk@mailbox.sc.edu)

The Zoological Institute at Basel University (Switzerland) is seeking a highly motivated post-doc with interest in the evolutionary genetics of host-parasite interactions. This position is funded to work on the evolutionary genetics/genomics of a bacterial parasite (Pasteuria ramosa) of Daphnia.

A background in evolutionary genetics, including knowledge of molecular methods is essential. Bioinformatics skills are a plus. Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal skills, a superb work ethic, and the ability to think creatively and critically are also desired. The starting date is flexible, and the positions are initially for two years, but can be extended to 3 years.

The post-doc will be part of Dieter Ebert’s research group, working on the co-evolution of host-microbe interactions. Details about the group can be found at: http://evolution.unibas.ch/ebert/

To apply email to Dieter Ebert (dieter.ebert@unibas.ch) a single PDF file with your name as file name and should include a CV, a list of publications and a 1 page description of your research interests and
motivation. Also, give names and email addresses of two references who are willing to write a letter of recommendation.

Closing date for applications: February 15, 2013.

Trent University is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to conduct genomic research on contemporary evolution in natural populations in response to rapid changes in selective pressures. Infectious diseases are critically important in species adaptation, evolution, and persistence. However, climatic changes are altering
disease dynamics in northern species by promoting the invasion of novel diseases and disease vectors.

The university is seeking a student/postdoc to take an adaptive landscape genomics approach to investigate contemporary evolution and demographic constraints on local adaptation among coevolved and naïve
disease vectors. These questions are of practical relevance given pronounced climatic changes associated with changing infectious disease dynamics and northward movements of pathogens and invasive
species.

The successful candidate is be encouraged to develop and explore independent research within the framework of existing funding. Applicants should hold  a MSc or PhD in Landscape or Population Genetics, or a related area.

To apply, send a letter of application and research interest, CV, and names and contact information for
three referees. The position will begin in either May or September  2013.  Applications should be submitted by February 15, 2013, but, applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate has been found.

The University of Southern California is seeking two or more Computational/Analytic postdoctoral researchers with experience and strong computational skills in one or more of the following areas: machine learning, computer vision, agent-based simulation, graphical processing unit (GPU) programming, Bayesian statistics and bioinformatics, population genomics, quantiative genomics. The group is a large multidisciplinary team, supported by an NHGRI Center of Excellence in Genomic Science and multiple NIMH and NSF grants
to study genetic variation in population and community contexts.

The postdocs will be jointly advised by Simon Tavaré, Gary Chen, Paul Marjoram and Sergey Nuzhdin, and will closely collaborate with several other faculty and approximately 30 other team members, including
computational and experimental scientists. The successful applicants may variously need to optimize software, develop machine learning algorithms, develop conceptual or simulation models, and parallelize these on CPUs or GPUs.

To apply, send a statement of interest, CV, and names of referees to Paul Marjoram (pmarjora@usc.edu) and Sergey Nuzhdin (snuzhdin@usc.edu) by Feb 15th.

Novartis Institutes for Biomedical Research is seeking a highly motivated bioinformatics scientist at to join the Novartis Next Generation Sequencing Diagnostics Team.  The successful candidates must be self-directed and highly collaborative.

The postholder will build and support cutting-edge pipelines for the analysis and interpretation of next-generation sequencing data, analyze large-scale genomic (expression, copy number, mutation, epigenetic) datasets acquired internally and in collaboration with academic and industrial research institutes, and participate in a rigorous technical development process for genomics platforms. Additionally, the postholder will implement state-of-the-art computational methods, develop innovative methods toward the development of rigorous diagnostic tests, and aintain expertise in the science and application of genomic technologies.

Applicants must have a minimum MS 7+ years’ experience, or PhD 2+ years’ experience working in a bioinformatics research environment, strong communication skills and a successful track record of collaborating with cross-functional scientific teams, demonstrated bioinformatics scripting abilities, statistical and analytical ability with programming expertise, experience running large-scale pipelines or simulations in a High Performance Computing environment, and familiarity with current analysis methods for next-generation sequencing data. Programming experience in Java/C/C++ will give applicants an edge and expertise in machine learning algorithms and their biological applications is preferred.

To apply or get more information, go to: http://novartis.avature.net/jobs#ViewJob/160.

The recently established molecular ecology laboratory at Brooklyn College (CUNY) is seeking two postdoctoral fellows for positions in Marine Molecular Ecology and Genomics, with anticipated start dates in March, 2013.

The lab (http://www.ieu.uzh.ch/agwilson) focuses primarily on the study of the evolution of reproductive complexity in aquatic environments, using a combination of field, laboratory and experimental approaches to investigate how selective pressures contribute to the evolution of reproductive diversity across space and time. Molecular
methods are an integral component of this work, and recent advances in high-throughput functional genomics in the lab have provided unique insights into the early development of complex reproductive systems.

CUNY is seeking highly motivated candidates with demonstrated experience and interests in marine evolutionary ecology and/or  genomics that are interested in developing independent research projects integrating molecular and organismal research. Candidates should have experience in the assembly and analysis of genomic data for non-model organisms and/or expertise in the design and management of lab and field experiments in nearshore marine environments. Exceptional applicants will have experience in both areas.

To apply send a single PDF file consisting of a CV and list of publications, a 1-2 page statement of research interests, and three academic references, with the subject line, “CUNY-MESearch”. The application deadline is February 14, 2013. For informal inquiries concerning these positions and other research opportunities in the lab, email Tony Wilson (tony.wilson@ieu.uzh.ch).