Postdoc in Bioinformatics/Evolutionary Genetics
We are looking for a motivated bioinformaticist to join the CREST team at
the University of Hawaii Hilo. CREST is a 5-year NSF-funded project (July
2014 — June 2019; see project overview below). Hawaii is world renowned as
an ideal setting for evolutionary studies, and Hilo and the Big Island
boast exceptional cultural and natural diversity and a high standard of
living.
This is an exciting opportunity to work with a diverse team of researchers
working collaboratively on the common theme of organismal response to
environmental change. The successful candidate will join a team of 9
faculty, 3 technicians, and several graduate students studying the short-term
(stress response) and long-term (adaptation) responses of a broad range of
terrestrial and marine organisms to environmental change, broadly defined.
The postdoc will provide expertise in the application of bioinformatics
analyses and will work alongside project personnel and collaborating
bioinformaticists on campus and at outside institutions on the analysis of
genomics and transcriptomics data to meet project goals. Responsibilities
will include: collaborating in the design of experiments and analysis of
data from next-generation sequencing instruments, including RNA-Sequencing,
SNP, and full-genome sequencing data; assisting in the management of
genomic data and associated phenotypic trait data on various local data
storage systems; and preparation of manuscripts, reports and presentations.
CREST Project Overview: The overarching theme of this project is
Understanding Biotic Response to Environmental Change in Tropical
Ecosystems Through a Place-Based Context. This CREST:TCBES proposal focuses
on three synergistic research themes: 1) Organismal Response to
Environmental Change (OREC): While local adaptation along environmental
gradients and tracking of changing environments involve short-term
acclimation and longer term evolution, it is not known if organisms are
responding to average environmental conditions or to the extreme conditions
experienced in their habitats. The OREC team will examine the short- and
long-term responses of key organisms to a range of environmental
conditions, both steady and fluctuating, and will incorporate those results
into models of landscape-level response to climate change. 2) Behavioral
Responses to Environmental Change (BREC): Behaviors central to the survival
and reproductive success of animals have evolved through natural and sexual
selection in a far different ecological environment than exists today. The
BREC team will use emerging genetic and acoustic tools to examine the
effect of anthropogenic change on important social behaviors in animals
ranging from arthropods to whales. 3) Dynamic Interactions between
Symbioses and Environment (DISE): Macro-organisms live in symbiosis with a
community of microorganisms; these symbiotic relationships can shift in
response to environmental changes. The DISE team will explore adaptations
of the mutualism-pathogenesis-parasitism continuum in multiple symbiotic
systems. Integration of next-generation DNA sequencing and bioinformatics
analysis in each of the research areas
will allow unprecedented insight into the molecular basis of biotic
responses to environmental change.
As teaching experience is an important component of the postdoctoral
experience, the postdoc will also be encouraged to teach one course or
workshop per year at UH Hilo at the graduate** or undergraduate level in
his/her area of expertise.
**Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Graduate Program
The position is for one year, renewable.
The successful candidate will be a self-starter and creative problem solver
with strong communication and interpersonal skills. Minimum
qualifications: PhD involving bioinformatics analysis on an evolutionary
problem, experience with genomic techniques and bioinformatics analysis.
Desired qualifications: software development and implementation for
multi-dimensional data from genome sequencing, gene expression and SNP
genotyping between species, populations and experimental treatments,
mathematical modeling of population genetic processes.
For Inquiries: Donald Price 808-932-7178, donaldp@hawaii.edu.
To apply: Please send CV, contact information for 3 references, a cover
letter describing how you meet the position’s qualifications, and any
relevant publications. Please send all materials in a single email to Don
Price (donaldp@hawaii.edu) with the subject line Bioinformatics Postdoc.
Anticipated start date: 1 September 2014 (but flexible). Review of
applications will begin Monday, 14 July. Individuals from
under-represented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
We (Don Price and Elizabeth Stacy) will be at the SSE 2014 meeting in
Raleigh. Please find us if this position interests you!