We are seeking a highly motivated and creative postdoctoral fellow to join the Segrè lab interested in developing and applying methods for single cell genomics and integrative analysis with human genetic studies to uncover key causal mechanisms and pathogenic cell types of complex eye diseases. The Segrè lab is part of the Ocular Genomic Institute and the Department of Ophthalmology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear (MEE) and is affiliated with the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT. MEE is a teaching hospital of Harvard Medical School and is an international leader for treatment and research in both Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology. The Segrè lab develops novel statistical and computational methods that integrate genome-wide association and sequencing studies with functional genomics (e.g., expression quantitative trait loci or eQTLs) data from relevant tissues and cell types, to identify new causal genes and regulatory mechanisms and pathways of common eye diseases, including glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy, with the ultimate goal of proposing new therapeutic targets for eye disease. To learn more about the lab please visit: segrelab.meei.harvard.edu/.
The successful candidate will have a strong background in statistics, statistical genetics, mathematics, computational genomics, bioinformatics, or a related quantitative field, strong programming skills, and be excited to contribute to advancing science and medicine of complex eye diseases. Research projects will involve developing statistical and computational methods for analyzing single cell RNA-seq and whole genome sequencing data of human eye tissues and integration with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to detect genes and regulatory variants associated with different ocular cell types and complex eye diseases. The project will be part of a multi-lab collaboration aimed at generating a cell atlas of the human eye from childhood to old age: chanzuckerberg.com/science/programs-resources/humancellatlas/seednetworks/cell-atlas-of-the-human-eye-from-birth-to-old-age/. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to develop his or her own research projects and interests within this research area, and to present ones work at local, national, and international meetings.
• Ph.D. in (bio)statistics, statistical genetics, human genetics, computational genomics, bioinformatics, mathematics, computer science, or a related quantitative discipline required.
• Strong programming skills and in-depth experience with several programming languages required, e.g., Python, R, Matlab, C++.
• Experience with Unix/Linux environments required (including shell scripting).
• Experience with large-scale data analysis, algorithm development, and statistics required; work with next-generation sequencing, single cell RNA-sequencing, GWAS, or other -omics data preferred.
• Research experience and knowledge in statistical genetics, regression models, and/or machine learning desired.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and rigorous work.
• Good publication record in peer-reviewed journals.
• Strong personal skills, and excellent verbal and written communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, academic environment and evolving field.
Interested candidates should send their CV, a cover letter describing previous research experience and research interests, and contact information for 3 references to: Dr. Ayellet Segrè: ayellet_segre [at] meei [dot] Harvard [dot] edu.