PostDoc in Computational Evolutionary Genomics
We are seeking a computational biology post-doc to work on the genomics
of flightlessness in birds. In addition to shedding light on bird wing
development, the project will have wider implications and provide a
deeper understanding of the origins of limb development in vertebrates.
The 2-year position will involve phylogenetic, comparative genomics and
sequencing expression analysis of multiple bird genomes. This exciting
project uses cutting edge sequencing technology and algorithms to
understand one of the core questions in biology – how do organisms read
the genome to develop diversity in form and function?
The successful candidate will be expected to design and analyze sequencing
experiments for multiple genomes of paleognathous birds. Using this
data they will assemble each genome and run comparative genome analysis
for these and all suitable publicly available genomes. They will then
use the subsequent genome alignment and morphological data to reconstruct
the evolution of flightlessness in unprecedented detail.
The position will be embedded in the core informatics group at Harvard,
headed by Michele Clamp, Director of Informatics and Scientific
Applications, as well as the lab group of lead collaborator Scott Edwards
(Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology)
at Harvard and other groups involved in the grant.
Basic Qualifications
A PhD in biology or other science with experience of bioinformatics
tool use or development. Good communication skills and an ability to
collaborate with others.
Additional Qualifications
The successful candidate will ideally have experience in phylogeny,
whole genome analysis, comparative genomics and expression analysis
of next-generation sequencing data. Experience of command line
bioinformatics tools and a basic understanding of algorithms underlying
common analysis techniques (e.g. sequence alignment, RNA-Seq statistics
and comparative genomics models). Basic understanding of animal
diversity or developmental biology a plus.
Review of applications will begin immediately. Please send by e-mail
a CV, a cover letter explaining your interest and suitability for the
position, and names and contact details for two references in pdf format
to: Michele Clamp <michele.clamp@gmail.com>, with a cc to Scott Edwards
<sedwards@fas.harvard.edu>.