Postgraduate Associate - Reilly Lab, Dept. of Genetics

Description

We are looking for strong, ambitious candidates with previous research backgrounds in molecular biology, human genetics, evolutionary biology, genomic technologies, bioinformatics, or machine-learning. We value students who appreciate challenging themselves and take pride in providing a supportive environment in which trainees can flourish and grow as scientists.

The trainee will receive hands-on education in molecular genomics, population genetics, evolutionary theory, non-coding regulatory biology, and/or bioinformatics via their participation in research projects in the laboratory. This genomics-focused training would prepare a trainee for a future graduate or medical school applications, or any relevant field where hands-on research experience is required. The trainee will gain direct education into data analysis, experimental design, problem solving, and time management.

There is some flexibility to match the trainee’s interests and aptitude to specific projects of interest. If primarily interested in wet lab, the Postgraduate Associate will train in developing and deploying genomic techniques such as MPRA and CRISPR screens. They will be expected to learn advanced cell culture, cloning, and next-generation sequencing techniques. Potential projects include investigating the gene targets of disease-related variation and exploring gene regulation across different cell types. If primarily interested in computational work, the Postgraduate Associate will train in developing new computational tools and techniques to advance our understanding of the human genome and its role in disease and evolution. Potential projects include applying machine learning models and population genetic methods to predict and understand regulatory variants, collaborating with experimental biologists on developing novel uses of high-throughput reporter assays, and analyzing CRISPR editing and high-throughput reporter assay data to uncover new insights into the genetics of human disease and evolution. The Postgraduate Associate is expected to develop into an integral, valued member of the lab, to participate in weekly lab meetings/journal clubs, to present their research findings, and to attend research seminars.

The Reilly lab takes its role in training future scientists seriously and sees the postgraduate’s future success as the lab’s own success. The Postgraduate Associate will meet regularly with the PI and/or direct mentors to discuss scientific progress and career development. Previous trainees have gone onto top-tier graduate programs, medical schools, and industry positions. Postgraduates completing a full term in lab have each left with authorship on at least one manuscript. As a part of the Department of Genetics at the Yale School of Medicine, the lab offers an outstanding and fully resourced training environment which provides the flexibility to meet the trainee’s professional goals.

Qualifications

The candidate should display a high level of initiative, logic, and creative problem solving skills, as well as a must have bachelor’s degree in biology, genetics, bioinformatics, or relevant field. The candidate is also required to have excellent personal initiative and should be excited by the prospect of working in a dynamic team. They should demonstrate aptitude for time management skills in coordinating concurrent assignments in a multi-faceted project. Candidates should possess strong communication and computer skills, with the ability to develop technical documents and presentations.

• For wet-lab candidates, 1+ years of prior molecular biology research experience is required. Strong coursework in molecular biology/genetics is beneficial.
• For computational candidates, excellent coding skills and coursework in molecular biology/genetics are required.

Candidates with experience in bioinformatics, evolutionary biology, genetics, machine learning, mammalian cell culture, molecular biology, or sequencing are especially encouraged to apply. The appointment will be for 1 year, with the possibility of extension or further opportunities.