Postdoctoral Scholar-Research Associate

This is a one year fixed-term position.

There is an exciting new opportunity at the University of Southern California for highly motivated candidates committed to developing a career in molecular biology, genomics, or bioinformatics. The trainee will either perform high throughput sequencing epigenomics assays (wet lab) or analyze in-house generated sequencing datasets and integrate multi-dimensional large-scale omics datasets (dry lab). The trainee is expected to lead multiple research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator and s/he will be a part of the collaborative research team who lead large genomics and epigenomics consortia to fight cancer.

Wet lab postdoc position: 

Responsibility for the wet lab position includes a) Performing genomic and epigenomic experiments using molecular biology techniques in human cells, b) Developing novel approaches to profile 3D epigenome and gene/epigenetic editing, c) Conducting cellular and molecular experiments for hypothesis-driven research, and d) Preparing presentations and publishing scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator. The trainee may also be responsible for teaching techniques to other lab members.

Applicants should hold a PhD or be close to the completion of a PhD or DPhil in Molecular and Cellular Biology, Genetics, Biology, or in a relevant field.

Experience with the use of antibodies (western blots, immunoprecipitations, etc) and with standard molecular biology techniques (such as PCR amplification, DNA extraction, cloning, and gel electrophoresis) and familiarity with genomic technologies is essential. Experience in performing epigenomic assays (CRISPR/Cas9, DNA methylation, ChIP-, ATAC-, 4C-seq) will be a plus but not required. The ability to learn new techniques quickly and a strict attention to details of experimental protocols is required.

Dry lab postdoc position:

Responsibility for the dry lab position includes a) Installing and maintaining existing open-source software, b) Building computational infrastructure and systems to support the software, c) Writing novel scripts to analyze next-generation sequencing datasets, d) Developing web-based applications and tools to facilitate data analysis, and e) Preparing presentations and publishing scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator. The trainee may also be responsible for teaching other lab members. 

Applicants should hold a PhD or be close to the completion of a PhD or DPhil in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or Data Science in a relevant field (e.g. Biology with strong quantitative training in bioinformatics).

Background and work knowledge in scientific computing, algorithms, and machine learning or statistics is required. Familiarity with R or Python, and the Unix (Linux) environment is required. Skills in other programming languages (e.g. perl or java) will be a plus. Experience in analyzing and annotating large omics data sets, both in exploratory and pipelined fashions, will be a plus.

Due to the collaborative, multi-lab nature of this project, it is essential that the applicant have excellent organizational and communication skills. The postdoctoral trainees will be encouraged to submit their own fellowship and grant applications during their period of training. Interested candidates should send a CV to Dr. Rhie (rhie@usc.edu), from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine and the Genomic and Epigenomic Regulation Program in the USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center.

USC is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law or USC policy. USC will consider for employment all qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring ordinance. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants and employees with disabilities.