Postdoctoral Research Scholar 0-5 yrs Experience

SDSU Research Foundation • San Diego, CA

9d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Biology at San Diego State University is hiring a Postdoctoral Research Scholar in the Sethuraman Lab, which develops statistical and computational methods for estimating evolutionary history from population genomic data. The position is part of a three-year appointment that may be extended contingent on funding and performance. The lab’s research includes theoretical and applied population genomics, with methodological and applied projects spanning human, agricultural, and conservation genomics.

The scholar will contribute to computational genomics research focused on genomic genealogy-based methodologies. Projects include assembling publicly available X-, Y-, and mitochondrial-genome data; developing mathematical frameworks and software to estimate ancient recombination history between human X and Y chromosomes in pseudoautosomal regions using Ancestral Recombination Graphs; incorporating geographic information to estimate geographic origins; and estimating recent matrilineal pedigree history from Runs of Homozygosity on the human X chromosome and geographic movement information. The work also includes developing a tool to visualize ancient and recent demographic histories across spatial and temporal scales.

The postdoctoral scholar may develop independent computational population genomics projects, collaborate on lab research, develop grant proposals, teach courses in the Department of Biology, participate in postdoctoral scholar cohorts across SDSU, UCSD, and other California State University campuses, and co-mentor graduate and undergraduate students with the principal investigator. The position requires residence in California within commuting distance of SDSU at the time of hire. Appointment is contingent on satisfactory background-check clearance.

Requirements

• Must have completed, defended, and submitted a doctoral dissertation (PhD or equivalent) in population/evolutionary genomics by the time of appointment.
• Must reside in California and live within commuting distance of SDSU at the time of hire.
• Appointment is contingent on satisfactory clearance based on background-check results, including a criminal record check.

Nice To Haves

• Expertise in population/evolutionary genomics methods and applications.
• Computational genomics experience, including algorithms, programs, and development.
• Python programming experience.
• Knowledge of deploying jobs, containerization, and storage in high-performance computing environments.

Responsibilities

• Collate and build a genomic database of publicly available X-, Y-, and mitochondrial-genome data, including data from sources such as the 1000 Genomes Project, The Cancer Genome Atlas, and CAAPA2.
• Develop a mathematical framework and software to estimate ancient evolutionary recombination history between human X and Y chromosomes in pseudoautosomal regions using Ancestral Recombination Graphs.
• Incorporate geographic-origin information into genomic analyses to estimate geographic origins.
• Develop a mathematical framework and software to estimate recent matrilineal genealogical (pedigree) history using Runs of Homozygosity along the human X chromosome and recent geographic movement information.
• Build a tool to visualize recent and ancient demographic histories across spatial and temporal scales.
• Collaborate on computational population genomics projects and pursue opportunities to develop independent projects.
• Participate in professional development, including opportunities to develop grant proposals and teach courses in the Department of Biology.
• Co-mentor graduate and undergraduate students with the principal investigator.

Benefits

• Salary budgeted at $5,858.67 per month plus benefits.
• Professional development opportunities, including grant-proposal development, teaching, and participation in postdoctoral scholar cohorts.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree