Postdoctoral position in Bioinformatics

Two post-doctoral positions are available in Dr. Zechen Chong’s Laboratory (https://sites.uab.edu/chonglab) in the Informatics Institute and Department of Genetics, at the School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham. We are seeking passionate and motivated Bioinformatics geeks to join the team. Currently, we are actively working on nationwide and local (disease) genomics projects, including the Human Genome Structural Variation Consortium (HGSVC), All of Us, Alabama Genomic Health Initiative (HGHI), Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine (TOPMed), South-seq, etc. The positions are for 2-3 years with possible extensions. The project will depend on the interests and abilities of the applicant. Our projects mainly fall into two categories: one is the development of efficient algorithms/tools for analyzing different types of sequencing data from third-generation sequencing platforms such as PacBio and Nanopore; the other is the application of the tools to perform hypothesis-driven data analysis. 

Ideal candidates would be:

  • Ph.D. in genomics, bioinformatics, computer science, cloud computing, physics, mathematics, genetics, etc. with a general background in computational biology.
  • Strong skills in algorithm design and data analysis, experience in next-generation and/or third-generation sequencing data is a plus.
  • Demonstrated related research achievements.

To apply, please email Zechen (zchong at uab.edu) a letter of interest and current CV including a list of publications and details of three references.

About UAB School of Medicine

The School of Medicine is made up of nearly 800 students and more than 900 residents and 1,400 full-time faculty in 27 academic departments. We are the home of The Kirklin Clinic, a multi-disciplinary medical home; University Hospital, one of the largest academic hospitals in the country; and our faculty serve the Children’s of Alabama hospital. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) traces its roots to the 1859 founding of the Medical College of Alabama.

UAB School of Medicine ranked consistently within the 30th place for research in US Best Medical Schools. In 2018, the School of Medicine led the way with ~$233 million in grant funding, which ranked in the 21st place on the list of all US Medical schools. Six more SOM departments placed in the top 20. Both the Department of Urology and the Department of Pathology ranked 12th, followed by the Department of Genetics at 13th. The Departments of Medicine and Neurology were 17th on their respective lists, while the Department of Pediatrics came in at 18th.

The School of Medicine is dedicated to excellence in the education of physicians and scientists in all of the disciplines of medicine and biomedical investigation for careers in practice, teaching, and research. Central to this educational mission is the provision of outstanding medical care and services and the enhancement of new knowledge through clinical and basic biomedical research. We embrace the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment that values differing perspectives and experiences. This diversity is essential to fulfilling the enduring mission of our medical school.

The School of Medicine will be recognized by its faculty, students, graduates, and patients and by faculty members in other schools of medicine and research universities as one of the nation’s premier institutions for research, training, and patient care. Excellence in each of its primary missions—education, clinical care, and basic, translational, and clinical research—is essential to this recognition.

Graduate students

We have multiple fully-funded Ph.D. candidate positions.

****Projects****

Develop efficient algorithms/tools to analyze sequencing data, including next-generation sequencing, Third-generation sequencing, and other new sequencing data types such as 10X Genomics, Hi-C, bionano, etc.

****Required skills****

– Highly motivated in research
– Strong background in algorithm design and analysis
– Strong programming skills
– Good written and spoken English

****Contact****

Please feel free to send a letter of intent and your CV to Zechen Chong (zchong at uab.edu).