Jobs
Post Doctoral Associates - Microbial Evolutionary Genomics
Two postdoctoral positions in microbial evolutionary genomics at Cornell University
CANDIDATES ARE INVITED TO APPLY for two post-doctoral positions at Cornell University, both supported by a new 5-year NIH grant entitled, ''Evolutionary genomics and population genetics of pathogenic streptococci.'' One position will be in the laboratory of Michael Stanhope and the other will be jointly supervised by Adam Siepel and Carlos Bustamante. The Stanhope, Siepel, and Bustamante laboratories will interact closely with each other and with the laboratory of Robert Burne, a collaborator at the University of Florida, in meeting the goals of this research project.
The bacterial genus Streptococcus includes several important human pathogens. The goal of this project is to obtain a thorough understanding of the adaptive genomic differences within and between the taxa of this genus. The project will involve the latest DNA sequencing technologies and state-of-the-art methods for detecting selection in both genes and noncoding functional elements. It is expected to provide an unprecedented level of detail on molecular adaptation and molecular evolution for taxa of this genus. It will also provide the first thorough assessment of the role of lateral gene transfer (LGT) and positive selection in the diversification of a group of closely related bacterial taxa, as well as an improved understanding of the role of LGT in bacterial species innovation and pathogenesis.
A description of each of the postdoctoral positions follows:
Laboratory of M. Stanhope: We are looking for an evolutionary computational biologist, well versed in modern evolutionary biology theory, and computational analysis, with some basic bioinformatics skills such as R and Perl programming. An added bonus would be knowledge of basic microbiology issues. One of the principal roles of this person would be to conduct comparative evolutionary analysis of the bacterial genome sequence data that we are generating using new high throughput sequencing technologies such as 454, Solexa, and OpGen, both at the intraspecific and interspecific levels. In addition to these analyses, this individual would need to collate and assemble the new genome sequence data, as well as assist in guiding some of the wet lab work associated with genome closing of select strains. Salary and benefits will be competitive, as well as commensurate with the candidate's level of expertise and value to the laboratory.
Laboratories of A. Siepel and C. Bustamante: We seek a computational biologist experienced in evolutionary genomics and/or population genetics who will focus on the development of novel analytical methods. Areas of particular interest include methods for detecting noncoding functional elements, improved methods for detecting positive selection, methods for characterizing LGT, combined phylogenetic and population genetic methods for detecting selection, and improved methods for detecting selection in the presence of changing population sizes. The candidate will be encouraged to develop broadly applicable methods, but to give special consideration to the unique opportunities presented by the rich data generated in this project. While methods development will be a major focus, the candidate will also be expected to participate in data analysis and infrastructure development. The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, highly motivated, and independent, will have both a serious interest in molecular biology and genetics and first-rate skills in mathematics and computing, and will have a strong record of accomplishment in research. For more information about the Siepel and Bustamante labs see:
http://compgen.bscb.cornell.edu/~acs/
and
http://bustamantelab.cb.bscb.cornell.edu/
Salary and Benefits
Competitive salaries commensurate with experience and skills will be offered, and full benefits plans are available (details).
About Cornell
Cornell is home to a large, active community of researchers interested in evolutionary genomics, population genetics, and other areas of mathematical and computational biology. It is located in Ithaca, NY, a small city with a diverse community, a rich cultural life, and many opportunities for outdoor recreation. General information on postdoc life at Cornell is available from the Office of Postdoctoral Studies.
To Apply
Submit (PDFs preferred) a CV, a short (one-two page) description of research interests and experience, and contact information for three references by e-mail to mjs297 at cornell dot edu (Stanhope position) or acs4 at cornell dot edu and cdb28 at cornell dot edu (Siepel/Bustamante position). Informal inquiries are welcome.
Michael Stanhope
Adam Siepel
Carlos Bustamante
Cornell University
Ithaca, NY
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Post Doctoral Associates - Human Population Genomics
Postdoctoral positions in human population genomics and next-generation sequencing analysis at Cornell University
Two postdoctoral positions are available with Alon Keinan in the Department of Biological Statistics and Computational Biology at Cornell University. The focus of the group is on human population genomics and on method development for medical genetics. Potential research areas for the positions include human population genetics and evolutionary history, method development for analysis of next-generation sequencing data sets, natural selection detection and characterization, population genetic theory, and method development for genome-wide association studies. Research projects will be closely aligned with the interests of the successful candidates.
The ideal candidate will be enthusiastic, highly motivated, will have both a strong statistical, computer science, or mathematical background and an interest in population genetics or medical genetics, and will have a strong record of accomplishment in research. The starting date is flexible and can be as early as Aug 2009. Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. Competitive salaries commensurate with experience and skills will be offered, and full benefits plans are available (see here for details).
Alon Keinan is building a new research group at Cornell that is closely associated with those of Carlos Bustamante, Andy Clark, Chip Aquadro, and Adam Siepel. The Keinan lab is part of the larger population genomics community at Cornell and is a member of the recently launched Cornell Center for Comparative and Population Genomics. The lab is located in the Department of Biological Statistics and Computational Biology (BSCB) that occupies a key position at the interface between the quantitative and biological sciences at Cornell and that has broad strengths in comparative, evolutionary, quantitative, and population genomics, Bayesian and computationally intensive statistics, and machine learning. The lab is also a member of the 1000 Genomes Project and offers rich opportunities for international collaborations on emerging sequencing technologies and data sets.
Interested applicants should send a PDF with CV, a brief description of research interests and experience, and contact information for three references to ak735@cornell.edu, making sure that 'Position 202' is indicated in the subject line.
Informal inquiries are welcome.
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Cornell University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator.