Postgraduate Associate Trainee in the Reilly Laboratory

Yale University: School of Medicine: Genetics

Location

New Haven, CT

Open Date

Mar 04, 2026

Deadline

Mar 03, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Description

Introduction of Department/Lab:

The Reilly Lab in the Genetics Department at Yale School of Medicine (www.reilly-lab.com) is seeking postgraduate researchers with either a wet lab or computational focus. We’re a collaborative, hard-working, and supportive team that develops and uses cutting-edge genomic tools to study human disease and evolution.

The promise of unlocking the human genome’s full potential to cure disease or understand our evolutionary history hinges on our ability to build new tools for interpreting uncharacterized genomic regions. To that end we’ve developed cutting-edge methods for CRISPR genome editing, high-throughput reporter assays to identify causal variants, and machine learning models trained on these data to predict functional consequences of mutation. Our work has been published in Nature, Science, Cell, and we’re active participants in multiple international consortia, including ENCODE, IGVF, Zoonomia, and the Longevity Project.

Overview of the Position:

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.

Education the postgrad will receive: 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 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.

Training the postgrad will receive: 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.

Mentoring: 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.

• Position and Training Location: The Anlyan Center (TAC), S347, 300 Cedar Street, New Haven, CT
• Postgraduate Appointment: This is a one-year appointment with the possibility of a one-year renewal.
• Postgraduate Compensation: $44,400 per year.

Qualifications

Must have bachelor’s degree in biology, genetics, bioinformatics, or relevant field. The candidate should display a high level of initiative, logic, and creative problem-solving skills. 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.

Application Instructions

The application should include: (1) CV; (2) a cover letter including a brief description of research interests and how they align with the lab; and (3) either (a) letters from or (b) contact information for 2-3 references.

Application Process

This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.

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