Postdoctoral Associate

Postdoctoral Associate (Molecular Epidemiology lab)

The NYU Bluestone Center for Clinical Research Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory is recruiting one highly motivated bioinformatic Postdoctoral Associate (2-year appointment), who aspires to become an independent academic researcher in the areas of molecular epidemiology and computational biology.

The Molecular Epidemiology Laboratory, led by Dr. Bradley Aouizerat, is a group of experimental and computational scientists dedicated to understanding the risk factors for and the mechanisms that underlie chronic disease (primarily HIV and cancer), their treatment (i.e., HIV antiretroviral therapy), and its sequelae (i.e., pain, fatigue, neuropathy). Research approaches employed by the group includes a combination of dry (e.g., bioinformatics) and wet (e.g., molecular biology) approaches. The Laboratory works closely with other laboratories with expertise in animal and cell models to permit accelerated translation of processes of interest identified in human data. Commonly applied approaches relevant to the current position include:

• Leveraging publicly available molecular data (i.e., GWAS, transcriptomic, epigenomic, proteomic)
• Generating molecular data from cohort studies
• Applying and developing novel multi-omic analysis
• Identifying therapeutic targets.
• Optimization of DNA and RNA capture techniques
• Single-cell genomics applications

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Postdoctoral Associate will work primarily with Professor Bradley Aouizerat, MS, PhD, on NIH-funded studies aimed at identifying genetic (i.e., DNA variation, gene expression) and epigenetic (e.g. DNA methylation) alterations associated with risk factors for and consequences of HIV-infection or with cancer. The role will involve analyzing high throughput genomic data including DNA methylation array and sequencing data, as well as RNAseq (bulk and single cell) data, performing integrative analyses and contributing to dissemination of results. The applicant will be expected to have capacity to work independently as well as collaboratively with other members in the lab, to have experience in developing workflows for sequencing data and ability to multitask.

The Postdoctoral Associate will analyze and manipulate data generated from both internal and external sources, use, modify, or create pipelines and reporting software. By applying a variety of software and technologies, the Postdoctoral Associate will perform rapid, incremental analysis required to best process and interpret the large amount of data generated in a molecular epidemiology laboratory.

The Postdoctoral Associate will communicate bioinformatics analysis to lab members and collaborators, ensure the validity and reliability of data and methods at all times, and maintain accurate and complete records of all analysis projects. The Postdoctoral Associate will identify and help to develop suitable techniques for the analysis and visualization of data, and build and maintain the associated computational resources (i.e. software packages, databases, or web-based analysis and visualization tools), and will maintain all code and programs used for analysis and tool development with suitable source control.

Other research expectations include authoring and co-authoring several manuscripts per year, assisting grant writing with and also being responsible for grant submissions to support their research, collaborating with other investigators, and attending professional conferences. 

JOB SPECIFIC TASKS

• Assist Dr. Aouizerat with design and conduct of research projects.
• Apply, modify, or develop analytical pipelines for manipulating genomic datasets and interpret results appropriately to ensure accuracy and reliability of those pipelines. Examples of data routinely analyzed include array-based (i.e., SNP, gene expression, DNA methylation), RNA sequencing (bulk and single cell), DNA sequencing, and methylation capture sequencing.
• Acquire, update and analyze data from internal (e.g., Aouizerat or affiliated laboratories, Core Facilities) or external (e.g., TCGA, UCSC Genome Browser, 1000Genomes, dbGaP) sources, document system changes, write and maintain documentation for end users.
• Collaborate with others in the research team, including statisticians, clinicians, molecular biologists, molecular epidemiologists, and computational biologists to design studies and implement computational applications.
• Prepare and contribute to dissemination of research findings (i.e., manuscripts, lab meeting presentations, presentations at scientific meetings).