Senior Scientist - Psychiatry - 50193

Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

This position is full-time and works approximately 40 hours per week. 

This position is in the Department of Psychiatry.  This position is for the Medical School Campus.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The NeuroGenetics and Informatics (NGI) group (https://neurogenomics.wustl.edu/) at Washington University School of Medicine is recruiting a Senior Scientist position to work in Dr. Cruchaga and Dr. Harari's lab. The NGI generates and analyzes Whole-Genome Sequencing data and high-throughput multi-dimensional omic data to study neurodegeneration and diseases of the central nervous system with emphasis on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other dementias. The goal of our research is to use genomic and multi-omic approaches to understand the biology of Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson disease and other neurodegenerative disease. Our labs have pioneered the use of biomarker levels for Alzheimer and Parkinson disease as endophenotypes for genetic studies. This position will work with highly dimensional data, especially next-generation sequencing data, and quantitative traits.  This position is responsible for collaborating with the principal investigator on the design, conduct and reporting of research projects.

The Senior Scientist should have expertise in GWAS, WES/WGS and/or RNA-seq data analyses to work in a project focus on the identification of genes dysregulated in Alzheimer disease, as well as, brain eQTL and pQTL mapping. They will join a team of nine computational and statistical researchers working in bioinformatics, statistical genomics and genetics. The team is based in the laboratory of Dr. Carlos Cruchaga and Dr. Oscar Harari, which comprises over 20 people dedicated to understanding the architecture of neurodegenerative diseases.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Collaborates with the PI on the design, conduct and reporting of research projects.
2. Assists with grant preparation and reporting. May submit grant proposals in rare circumstances with the approval of the PI, Department Head and Dean.
3. Prepares and submits papers on research.
4. Develops hypotheses to be tested and ways of testing it.
5. Complies with established safety procedures and maintains required documentation on laboratory and specimen conditions.
6. Writes and optimizes analyses pipelines (scripts) for WES, WGS and RNA-seq.
7. Analyzes data, including QC, as well as performs the analyses.
8. Assists with managing other staff scientists.
9. Manages research projects with other institutions and investigators.

Ph.D., M.D. or an equivalent terminal degree and at least three years of postdoctoral experience.

• Degree in statistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, biostatistics, statistical genetics, medical statistics, mathematics or a similar field.
• Strong background in GWAS (PLINK and SKAT-O), WES/WGS or RNA-seq analyses (STAR, SALMON, KALLISTO, DESEQ2).
• Working knowledge of UNIX, Perl/Python and R.
• Analytical reasoning and problem-solving skills. 
• Demonstrated working knowledge of standard laboratory policies, procedures and equipment. 
• Ability to communicate in oral and written form with all levels of personnel and technical publications. 
• Ability to work well independently or as a team member.

The hiring range for this position is $53,830 - $72,675 annually.

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. Current employees applying for a new position within the university may be subject to this requirement. The screenings will include a criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

This position is eligible for full-time benefits.  Please click the following link to view a summary of benefits:  https://wustl.box.com/s/8wkhs25yssf0775x9d6nd6vqa7obpth7.

This position works in a laboratory environment with potential exposure to biological, chemical and radioactive hazards.  The individual must be physically able to wear protective equipment and to provide standard care to research animals.

This position is grade R11.

Please attach a copy of your most current signed performance evaluation (completed within the last 18 months) to your online account.  If you have not received a performance evaluation, you may provide two current signed letters of recommendation (written within the last 18 months), preferably to include one letter from either a current or recent former supervisor.  To attach these documents, go to:  My Career Tools, Add Attachment, Attachment Type – Performance Reviews or Letters of Recommendation.