The Lipka Lab is seeking a visiting postdoctoral researcher who will spearhead the implementation of advanced quantitative genetics statistical models into a new simulation and analytical R package. The postdoctoral researcher will then use this R package to test hypotheses on emerging genetic architectures and create R shiny apps for use in broader impact educational activities. Primary responsibilities will be to develop and write production ready software, with guidance from the PI, that seeks to quantify and simulate genetic effects within and across subpopulations in novel ways. The researcher will be expected to write computationally efficient code in primarily the R programming language, identify and resolve computational bottlenecks, and be able to determine if/when code written in R should be migrated to a lower-level programming language. The researcher is encouraged to think creatively about the most effective way to implement this code, and suggestions about implementation into other software will be given serious consideration. The researcher will be expected to disseminate the results to an interdisciplinary audience via publications and presentations, as well as teach underlying concepts to both a graduate school- and high school-level audience.
Required Qualifications
The incumbent must have a PhD in computational biology, quantitative genetics, statistics (with an emphasis on subjects applied to computational biology and quantitative genetics), or a related field. They must have received their degree within the past ten years to qualify for this position. The ideal candidate should be comfortable with programming and running analyses on a high-memory cluster or similar computer. The candidate will learn how to use forward-in-time simulations using the AlphaSimR package. Proficiency in writing multi-threaded code in the R programming language is also strongly desired. In addition, the candidate should be comfortable with the basic statistical theory underlying GWAS and genomic selection, the different statistical models that are commonly used in such analyses, and interpreting the results within an evolutionary biological context. Creativity and original ideas for quantitative genetics analyses are strongly encouraged. Additional required skills include experience in programming in a variety of higher level (e.g., Python) languages, awareness of when to hand-off programming challenges to computer scientists, exemplary time management and organizational skills, and proficiency in writing and presenting research to an interdisciplinary audience.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter of research interests, CV, and three references to Prof. Alexander E. Lipka (alipka@illinois.edu).
Illinois welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. (https://diversity.illinois.edu/). Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at UIUC. Our excellence can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and academic and nonacademic staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates for our academic positions will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, , and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu
A visiting postdoctoral position is available in the Department of Crop Sciences at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the Lipka Laboratory. Funding is available for four years.
Specific duties and responsibilities
The Lipka Lab is seeking a visiting postdoctoral researcher who will spearhead the implementation of advanced quantitative genetics statistical models into a new simulation and analytical R package. The postdoctoral researcher will then use this R package to test hypotheses on emerging genetic architectures and create R shiny apps for use in broader impact educational activities. Primary responsibilities will be to develop and write production ready software, with guidance from the PI, that seeks to quantify and simulate genetic effects within and across subpopulations in novel ways. The researcher will be expected to write computationally efficient code in primarily the R programming language, identify and resolve computational bottlenecks, and be able to determine if/when code written in R should be migrated to a lower-level programming language. The researcher is encouraged to think creatively about the most effective way to implement this co...de, and suggestions about implementation into other software will be given serious consideration. The researcher will be expected to disseminate the results to an interdisciplinary audience via publications and presentations, as well as teach underlying concepts to both a graduate school- and high school-level audience.
Required Qualifications
The incumbent must have a PhD in computational biology, quantitative genetics, statistics (with an emphasis on subjects applied to computational biology and quantitative genetics), or a related field. They must have received their degree within the past ten years to qualify for this position. The ideal candidate should be comfortable with programming and running analyses on a high-memory cluster or similar computer. The candidate will learn how to use forward-in-time simulations using the AlphaSimR package. Proficiency in writing multi-threaded code in the R programming language is also strongly desired. In addition, the candidate should be comfortable with the basic statistical theory underlying GWAS and genomic selection, the different statistical models that are commonly used in such analyses, and interpreting the results within an evolutionary biological context. Creativity and original ideas for quantitative genetics analyses are strongly encouraged. Additional required skills include experience in programming in a variety of higher level (e.g., Python) languages, awareness of when to hand-off programming challenges to computer scientists, exemplary time management and organizational skills, and proficiency in writing and presenting research to an interdisciplinary audience.
Interested applicants should send a cover letter of research interests, CV, and three references to Prof. Alexander E. Lipka (alipka@illinois.edu).
Illinois welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity. (https://diversity.illinois.edu/). Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are core values at UIUC. Our excellence can only be fully realized by faculty, students, and academic and nonacademic staff who share our commitment to these values. Successful candidates for our academic positions will demonstrate evidence of a commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, , and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to apply and may request a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (2008) to complete the application and/or interview process. Requests may be submitted through the reasonable accommodations portal, or by contacting the Accessibility & Accommodations Division of the Office for Access and Equity at 217-333-0885, or by emailing accessibility@illinois.edu
