Postdoctoral Research Scientist�

Field Museum • Chicago, IL

2d • $61,461 • Onsite

About The Position

The Grainger Bioinformatics Center in the Science and Education Department at The Field Museum is seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to conduct phylogenomic research on lichens. This is a full-time, 2-year position focused on RADseq and target enrichment datasets to investigate evolutionary relationships, phylogenetics, and species delimitation. Ongoing projects and datasets are available, enabling rapid progress toward publication. The successful candidate will work on population genomic and phylogenetic analyses using RADseq and target enrichment data. Responsibilities include SNP data processing, population structure analyses, phylogenetic inference, and species delimitation using modern statistical and computational approaches. Analyses will be conducted primarily in R and Python. Applicants should have a strong background in bioinformatics, computational biology, evolutionary biology, or a related field. Experience with genomic data analysis, phylogenetics, and working in Linux-based environments is required. Familiarity with population genomics tools and coalescent-based methods is preferred. The postdoctoral researcher will contribute to manuscript preparation, with the expectation of leading at least one first-author publication and collaborating on additional research projects. The position includes mentorship responsibilities, including training undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in STEM and contributing to a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment. This position is based on-site at The Field Museum in Chicago, with an anticipated start date of June 1st. Mentorship will follow an established Postdoctoral Mentoring Plan.

Requirements

• Strong background in bioinformatics, computational biology, evolutionary biology, or a related field.
• Experience with genomic data analysis.
• Experience with phylogenetics.
• Experience working in Linux-based environments.

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with population genomics tools.
• Familiarity with coalescent-based methods.

Responsibilities

• Conduct phylogenomic research on lichens using RADseq and target enrichment datasets.
• Investigate evolutionary relationships, phylogenetics, and species delimitation.
• Perform population genomic and phylogenetic analyses.
• Process SNP data.
• Conduct population structure analyses.
• Perform phylogenetic inference.
• Perform species delimitation using modern statistical and computational approaches.
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, with the expectation of leading at least one first-author publication.
• Collaborate on additional research projects.
• Train undergraduate students from underrepresented groups in STEM.
• Contribute to a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Including medical, dental, vision plans, and even pet insurance.
• Financial Security: Life and disability benefits plus a 403(b) savings plan.
• Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and paid holidays.
• Employee discounts.
• Complimentary general admission to participating cultural institutions.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed