We have open an exciting, funded post-doctoral position that bridges the analysis of model-organism functional genomics data, evolutionary biology, and human genetics and genomics.
As part of a broader collaboration within the UW-Madison Center for Genomic Science Innovation and the NHGRI “Impact of Genomic Variation on Function” (IGVF) consortium, we are developing new methods to i) predict causal variants in human patients with polygenic disorders while ii) understanding the biology of those diseases and iii) how genetic modifiers elsewhere in the genome influence phenotypic expression.
Understanding how human genetic variation influences phenotypes is a major challenge. However, massive amounts of functional genomic data from model organisms provides a rich and untapped window into genotype-phenotype relationships. Fully utilizing model-organism datasets to illuminate the impact of human genetic variation requires creative new approaches that both leverage and overcome evolution.
This IGVF-funded position will develop and apply new methods that incorporate evolutionary biology, phenolog evolution, and comparative genomics to both exploit and study how functional networks evolve. These approaches will be integrated into a larger collaborative project that is using network inference to predict causal genetic variants from human patients with rare disorders.
This is an exciting opportunity for individuals with experience in comparative genomics, model-organism genomics, evolutionary biology, and/or human genetics to expand their expertise in new ways.
Appropriate candidates will:
- Have been recently awarded or soon to be awarded a Ph.D. in genetics or genomics, evolutionary biology, computational biology / bioinformatics, or similar field. Priority will be given to those with experience in genomics.
- Have demonstrated productivity through first author publications or preprints
- Have programming experience (Python, R, or other)
- Be highly motivated, independent, and driven
- Be interested in joining a collaborative research group in the CGSI & Gasch Lab
The Gasch Lab is housed within the Laboratory of Genetics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the new Center for Genomic Science Innovation (of which Dr. Gasch is the Director). UW-Madison is a vibrant community with a strong culture of interdisciplinary collaboration and communication. There are many opportunities for research and professional development. CGSI also maintains several training grants that fund postdoctoral fellows, fostering a strong community of genomic scientists. Madison is an exceptional place to live and is frequently voted one of the best cities in the country.
To apply
Interested candidates should email a CV, statement of research interests, manuscript preprints (if yet to be published), and contact information for three references to Audrey Gasch (agasch@wisc.edu).
We welcome and encourage women, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities to apply.