A postdoctoral Research Associate (computational biology and bioinformatics area) position is open at Duke University School of Medicine in the lab of Dr. Yi Zhang starting Jan 2024 or later. The ideal candidate will develop novel statistical and machine learning methods for multi-omics data (such as bulk and large-scale single-cell RNA sequencing data, spatial transcriptomics, bulk and single-cell multi-omics data, or genetic variants and functional genomics data), and apply the computational methods to integrative genomics data to understand cancer genomics, tumor microenvironment, and immunology. The individual will work with Dr. Yi Zhang (yi-zhang-compbio-lab.github.io) to develop computational methods and also collaborate with other groups in quantitative genomics areas in and outside Duke University.
Preferred qualifications:
• PhD (completed in the last 1-3 years or PhD candidate) in a quantitative discipline, including Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Biostatistics, Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical data science, etc; Candidates with multidisciplinary backgrounds are also welcome.
• Strong skills in computational and data analytical methodology development and implementation; experience in supervised and unsupervised machine learning, low-dimensional models or deep learning models, and willingness to learn about new methods, is a plus.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R, and Linux Shell; experience in genomics data processing and open source repositories e.g. GitHub is a plus.
• Strong motivation and interest to analyze genomics data and interpret cancer biology from data; experience or interest in cancer genomics, tumor microenvironment, single-cell data, spatial omics, immunology, gene regulatory networks, non-coding genome, genetic variants and functional genomics, is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills including writing, publishing, and presenting research; proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals as major author; willingness to collaborate in a multidisciplinary research environment.
The PI: Dr. Yi Zhang is an Assistant Professor at Duke University School of Medicine starting Jan 2024. Dr. Zhang obtained PhD in Bioengineering in 2019 at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She received postdoctoral training at Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Department of Biostatistics, Harvard School of Public Health, with Dr. Xiaole Shirley Liu, Dr. Myles Brown, Dr. Xihong Lin. She is faculty in the Department of Neurosurgery and in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, and member of the Duke Brain Tumor Omics Program at the Preston Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center of Duke University School of Medicine. Dr. Zhang has over 20 publications in top-tier journals including Cell, Nature Communications, Cancer Research, Bioinformatics, Blood, Cancer Discovery, Nature Machine Intelligence, Nature Protocols, Nucleic Acids Research, Genome Biology, Neuro-Oncology, and Frontiers in Genetics etc. She is recipient of awards including 2022 EECS Rising Star and Emerging Scholars in Genomics at UVA.
To apply, please reach out to Dr. Zhang (yi.zhang@duke.edu) with a subject [Postdoc app] - [Your Name] - [Institution]. Please include (1) CV or Resume (2) Description or research statement of previous/ongoing work and proposed research and interests (3) 1-3 representative publications (published, accepted, or preprint), if link/pdf available (4) Three names of references with contact information.
The environment: Duke University is ranked 7th among National Universities in the US (US News), and Duke University School of Medicine is ranked 5th in Best Medical Schools: research in the US. Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine is a world-class academic medical center. Duke University is in Durham, North Carolina, USA, in the Research Triangle Park area where many top universities, and IT, pharmaceutical, and biotech companies are located. The area combines diverse population, nice weather, scenic environment, balanced cost of living, safe cities and suburbs, and excellent education.
We are committed to foster an inclusive, international, encouraging and positive environment for everyone to grow a successful career. We have resources and support from interdisciplinary collaborators including computer scientists, genomics technology developers, cancer biologists, immunologists, neurosurgeons, etc.
Duke University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status.
Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas-an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.
Preferred qualifications:
• PhD (completed in the last 0-3 years or PhD candidate) in a quantitative discipline, including Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Biostatistics, Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical Engineering, Biomedical data science, etc; Candidates with multidisciplinary backgrounds are also welcome.
• Strong skills in computational and data analytical methodology development and implementation; experience in supervised and unsupervised machine learning, low-dimensional models or deep learning models, and willingness to learn about new methods, is a plus.
• Strong programming skills in Python or R, and Linux Shell; experience in genomics data processing and open source repositories e.g. GitHub is a plus.
• Strong motivation and interest to analyze genomics data and interpret cancer biology from data; experience or interest in cancer genomics, tumor microenvironment, single-cell data, spatial omics, immunology, gene regulatory networks, non-coding genome, genetic variants and functional genomics, is a plus.
• Excellent communication skills including writing, publishing, and presenting research; proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals as major author; willingness to collaborate in a multidisciplinary research environment.
To apply for the postdoctoral position, please reach out to Dr. Zhang (yi.zhang@duke.edu) with a subject [Postdoc app] - [Your Name] - [Institution]. Please include (1) CV or Resume (2) Description or research statement of previous/ongoing work and proposed research and interests (3) 1-3 representative publications (published, accepted, or preprint), if link/pdf available (4) Three names of references with contact information.