Postdoctoral Research Scientist

Postdoctoral Research Scientist

We are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral candidate with formal training in Bioinformatics, Statistical Genetics, Data Science, or Genetic Epidemiology. A postdoctoral position is immediately available to work on multiple NIH-funded projects on the Genetic Epidemiology of  Alzheimer’s Disease. Projects include: (1) a large scale Mexican-American cohort; (2) families of early onset Alzheimer’s Disease; (3) adults with Down Syndrome; and (4) families with exceptional longevity.  These projects will generate a set of genomic, (epigenomic in some datasets), transcriptomic, proteomic, metabolomic/lipidomic, imaging (MRI and PET), neuropsychological data, and Alzheimer’s Disease status. Using these rich, high dimensional multi-omic and imaging data, the candidate will be engaged in research to identify and characterize genetic contributions as well as pathways toward cognitive decline, Alzheimer’s disease and other age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The candidate will work with faculty members with a wide range of expertise (e.g., genetics, epidemiology, bioinformatics, neurology, statistics, cell biology, etc.) and other team members on gene mapping, functional genetics and translational studies.

Responsibilities

• Use bioinformatics tools to analyze high-throughput omics datasets, including whole genome/exome sequencing, GWAS, and RNA-seq data.
• Develop and implement methods for integrative analysis of available multi-omics datasets, including genomics, (epigenomic), transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics/lipidomic.
• Perform analyses to examine how above multi-omics data contribute to neuropsychological and medical phenotypes. 
• Perform statistical analysis of the genomic data in family-based as well as case-control or cohort study designs.
• Prepare manuscripts, grant proposals, and presentations for scientific meetings.
• Work independently and collaboratively with a highly interactive research group.

Requirements

• PhD in Bioinformatics, Statistical Genetics, Biostatistics/Statistics, Genetic Epidemiology or other relevant computational disciplines (for example: Biomedical Informatics).
• Working knowledge of shell scripting and programming proficiency in R, Python, C, C++, or Java on UNIX/Linux environments, particularly with large data files in various formats.
• Experience in analysis of human sequence data using bioinformatics tools (e.g., SAMtools, GATK, Picard) and genetic databases (Ensembl Genes, 1000 Genomes, ESP, HapMap).
• Working knowledge of statistical genetics will be a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication.

Qualified candidates should e-mail a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and list of three references to Dr. Joseph Lee at JHL2@cumc.columbia.edu (cc: Dr. Lisa Melilli (LEM13@cumc.columbia.edu) with “Post-Doc application” in the subject line of the e-mail.