Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate

University of Southern California•Los Angeles, CA

2d•$72,000 - $76,000•Hybrid

About The Position

A postdoctoral research fellow position is available in the lab of Dr. Charleston Chiang at USC. The Chiang lab utilizes cutting-edge analytic tools to address questions at the intersection of human medical and population genetics. In particular, we have a strong interest in developing methods that uses genomic data to understand the evolution and architecture of complex traits and the history of diverse human populations. These insights will be critical for future population and statistical genetics studies and in practicing personalized medicine. The successful candidate will have substantial input in the nature and the direction of the ongoing research projects within the lab and will be encouraged to explore projects that broadly fit within the lab’s research interests and funded research grants. These goals include learning about demographic history or natural selection from genetic variation data, or understanding genetic architecture and evolutionary history of complex traits in diverse populations. The candidate will be funded primarily by an R01 on method development for statistical and population genetic applications based on the ancestral recombination graph (see recent publications from the lab for the types of research we do in this area: Tang and Chiang, AJHG 2025 or Fan et al. Nat Genet 2025).

Requirements

Ph.D. in genetics, computer science, bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field.
Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g. python, C++, etc.).
Proficiency in a Unix-based computing environment.
Passion to learn about human population genetic research.
Passion to perform rigorous research.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in statistical or population genetic method development.
Proficiency in one or more programming languages (e.g. python, C++, R, etc.).
Proficiency in Unix-based computing environment.
Experience in conducting human genetics or population genetics research.
Experience analyzing large genetic datasets.

Responsibilities

Have substantial input in the nature and direction of ongoing research projects within the lab.
Explore projects that broadly fit within the lab’s research interests and funded research grants.
Learn about demographic history or natural selection from genetic variation data.
Understand genetic architecture and evolutionary history of complex traits in diverse populations.
Develop methods for statistical and population genetic applications based on the ancestral recombination graph.