Postdoctoral Associate in Statistical/Computational Genetics

Postdoctoral Associate in Statistical/Computational Genetics

A postdoctoral associate position is available in the OLaGA@Pitt lab under the direction of Drs. Jenna C. Carlson and Daniel E. Weeks in the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Pittsburgh, School of Public Health. The Obesity Lifestyle and Genetic Adaptations (OLaGA, which means 'life' in Samoan) Research Team is a trans-institutional, trans-disciplinary collaboration focused on understanding the origins of obesity and cardiometabolic disease among Samoans and other Pacific Islanders. The OLaGA@Pitt lab specifically focuses on the genetic etiology of cardiometabolic disease in this population. The postdoctoral associate will also collaborate with the lab of Dr. Charleston Chiang of the Department of Population and Public Health Sciences at the University of Southern California to carry out the work described below.

Position

The postdoctoral associate will work to construct a genotype imputation panel for Polynesians using several cohorts of whole-genome sequenced individuals, use the panel to perform imputation in several cohorts and perform genome-wide association studies and meta-analyses for cardiometabolic traits (obesity, type 2 diabetes, etc.). This work will improve our understanding of genetic risk factors in human complex diseases, provide much needed genomic resources to accelerate future studies, and provide guidance to the design of future genomic studies in Polynesians, who are underrepresented in biomedical research and face a disproportionate burden of cardiometabolic disease. The position will allow exciting opportunities for publication, collaborative research, attendance at scientific conferences, and overall career development.

Minimum Qualifications

A PhD or equivalent degree in human genetics, biostatistics, computational biology, or related discipline, with a strong background in computational genetics is required. Newly graduated PhDs or candidates with previous postdoctoral positions are welcome. Applicants from underrepresented populations are encouraged to apply.

Preferred Qualifications

* Strong computational skills and ability to code in one or more scientific programming languages (R, Python, etc.)

* Demonstrated experience working in high-performance computing clusters

* Demonstrated ability to run analyses in genomic cloud computing environments (Terra/Anvil, BioData Catalyst, etc.)

* Potential to contribute scientifically to the interdisciplinary, collaborative team

* Potential to work independently and think critically and creatively

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Candidates meeting some but not all of the preferred qualifications are encouraged to apply, as there will be extensive training opportunities.

Salary & Benefits

A competitive annual salary and comprehensive benefits package, including health insurance, are provided.

Timeline

Two-year position beginning July 2024 or later. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Application Instructions

Please apply through requisition #24005521 on join.pitt.edu. Please upload the required documents to your profile so they are part of your application.

* Cover letter describing your research experience/interests and how you could contribute to the team

* Curriculum vitae (CV)

* Names and contact information for three professional references

Institute Information

The Department of Human Genetics was formally established in 1989 as the first such department in any School of Public Health. The department is heavily involved in interdisciplinary research across the Pitt Health Sciences schools and is committed to training the next generation of Human Genetics scientists and leaders. For more information, please see https://www.sph.pitt.edu/hugen.

* Cover letter describing your research experience/interests and how you could contribute to the team

* Curriculum vitae (CV)

* Names and contact information for three professional references

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to championing all aspects of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within our community. This commitment is a fundamental value of the University and is crucial in helping us advance our mission, which includes attracting and retaining diverse workforces. We will continue to create and maintain an environment that allows individuals to discover, belong, contribute, and grow, while honoring the experiences, perspectives, and unique identities of all.

The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and values equality of opportunity, human dignity and diversity. EOE, including disability/vets.