Postdoctoral position is available in Dr. Degui Zhi's Center for AI and Genome Informatics (AIGI, https://sbmi.uth.edu/aigi/), McWilliams School of Biomedical Informatics, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth Houston), focusing on developing methods and conducting analysis of biobank-scale genetics data.
The candidate will join a leading team whose mission is to advance genetic research by offering efficient informatics tools to researchers that can reveal detailed genetic relationships in very large genotyped cohorts. The lab is uniquely positions as the team who developed RaPID (Genome Biology 2019), the first scalable method leveraging the Positional Burrows–Wheeler Transform (PBWT) for identical-by-descent (IBD) segment detection and funded by multiple NIH R01 grants since then to further the methodological development. We also developed new haplotype query search algorithms (ISMB 2019) and data structure, including dynamic PBWT, space-efficient Syllable-PBWT, new DNA match block representation (MPSC, Genome Research 2023). For population and statistical genetics, we applied PBWT and identified IBD segments to the inference of personalized genealogical history (BMC Biology 2021), efficient relatedness inference, RAFFI (PLoS Genetics 2021), efficient IBD mapping by FiMAP (PLoS Genetics 2023), and runs of homozygosity (ROH) mapping (eLife, 2024).
The ideal candidate should have a background in population genetics. This candidate will have the opportunities to collaborate with the team and develop innovative analyses strategies for real biobank-scale data. Fundingis available to support this position for 2+ years and promotion to faculty positions is possible. The candidate will have the opportunity to access many high throughput datasets and interact with investigators across UTHealth, Texas Medical Center, and national consortium.
The Center of AIGI is established in 2022 with the mission of creating an intellectually-stimulating and collegial team environment for the growth of bioinformaticians and biomedical informaticians. The position is to support a skilled computer biologist and bioinformatician interested in developing a career in data science applied to population genetics informatics research. The position includes opportunities to receive training in data management, developing efficient data structure and algorithms, including combinatorial and deep learning methods to analyze biomedical big data, proposal/paper writing, and developing an independent area of research. The candidate will also have opportunities in working closely with students including co-mentoring graduate/intern students and providing supports in lectures.
UTHealth is part of the world-renowned Texas Medical Center located in cosmopolitan Houston, Texas, the fourth largest city in the United States.
Requirements for this position include having completed a PhD degree preferably from Computer Science, bioinformatics, population genetic or related fields, demonstrated strong quantitative analytic skills including programming skills, and evidence in publishing research article related to population genetics, bioinformatics and computer sciences. This position offers a competitive stipend/salary, benefits, office space, and access to internal sources of pilot project support.
Description of Qualified Candidates:
The successful candidate should have some experience in analyzing biobank-scale genotype data, with proven skills in at least one programming language (e.g., Perl, Python, R, or C/C++). Good understanding of population genetics is a plus, but not required.
To Apply:
Candidates should email a current CV and names of at least two references to Degui Zhi ([email protected]).
UTHealth is committed to providing equal opportunity in all employment-related activities without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, gender identity or expression, veteran status or any other basis prohibited by law or university policy. Reasonable accommodation, based on disability or religious observances, will be considered in accordance with applicable law and UTHealth policy. The University maintains affirmative action programs with respect to women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and eligible veterans in accordance with applicable law.