A postdoctoral position is available at UCLA to develop statistical methods for population genetic inferences from environmental DNA. The CALeDNA project has led to cataloging biodiversity across thousands of locations in California (Meyer et al. 2021; Lin et al. 2021). For the next phase of the project, we wish to use these data or newly generated data to estimate population sizes of different species based on the derived DNA sequences from each species. However, given the noise and biases in the data, new computational methods are needed. The successful candidate will lead efforts to develop new population genetic tools for the analysis of such data and will have substantial input into the specific biological questions to be answered using these cutting-edge data.
The successful candidate will part part of a multidisciplinary team including Bob Wayne at UCLA, Meixi Lin at Stanford, Beth Shapiro and Rachel Meyer at UCSC. The postdoc will be based at UCLA in the lab of Kirk Lohmueller. The Lohmueller lab is embedded within a vibrant research community in computational, population and medical genetics at UCLA.
The position is available for 1 year and may be continued for an additional year contingent on successful progress and available funding. Salary will be competitive, starting at over $60,000, commensurate with experience. Further, University of California offers a competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and short and long term disability insurance.
Candidates should have a Ph.D. in computer science, biology, genetics, bioinformatics, statistics, biostatistics, computational biology, or a related field. As this is a computational position, proficiency in programming in python, R, or Perl, and shell scripting is essential. Programming experience in C/C++ is highly desired. Preference will be given to candidates with a strong publication record, evidence of substantial research productivity, ability to successfully communicate scientific information, and experience in analyzing metagenomic/metabarcoding/capture array data.
Review of applications will begin immediately. The position is expected to start as soon as possible with specific dates and salary negotiable.
Interested candidates should send a CV, short (1-2 pages) description of research interests and ideas for possible projects, and contact information for 3 references to Kirk Lohmueller at klohmueller@ucla.edu. Please put “Postdoc position” in the subject line. Informal inquiries are welcomed.
The University of California is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.