Position: Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Department: Evolution, Ecology, and Organismal Biology
Location: Ohio State University
Start date (duration): 1 September 2023 (2 years)
Application Deadline: 15 June 2023
Position Overview:
The Gibbs Lab is recruiting a a highly motivated and talented individual to join as a Postdoctoral Research Scholar to lead a project on the population genomics of endangered Massasauga Rattlesnakes (Sistrurus catenatus). The successful candidate will play a crucial role in advancing ongoing research projects using existing whole genome sequence data from 100s of individuals from multiple populations to address a variety of fundamental questions in conservation/evolutionary genomics. The research questions include interaction between levels of adaptive variation and genetic drift in small isolated populations, identifying and assessing levels of variation in putative disease resistance genes, and using demographic and ancestry based analyses to assess levels of gene flow between population. The postdoc will have the opportunity to develop their own research agenda within the scope of our lab’s interests.
About the Lab:
The Gibbs Lab is a vibrant and dynamic research group dedicated to using genomic data to guide the conservation of biodiversity. We use cutting-edge genomics, computational biology, and evolutionary theory to investigate a wide range of biological questions in conservation and evolutionary biology. Our lab provides an intellectually stimulating and collaborative environment for conducting high-impact research and offers excellent opportunities for professional development.
Recent manuscripts from the lab include:
Ochoa, A., Broe, M., Moriarty Lemmon, E., Lemmon, A.R., Rokyta, D.R., and Gibbs, H. L. 2020. Drift, selection and adaptive variation in small populations of a threatened rattlesnake. Molecular Ecology 29: 2612-2625.
Ochoa, A. and Gibbs, H.L. 2021. Genomic signatures of inbreeding and mutation load in a threatened rattlesnake. Molecular Ecology 30:5454–5469.
Mathur S., Haynes, E., Allender, M., Gibbs, H.L. 2022. Genetic mechanisms and biological processes underlying host response to ophidiomycosis (Snake Fungal Disease) inferred from tissue-specific transcriptome analyses. bioRxiv, 2022.03. 25.485740.
Mathur, S., Mason, A., Bradburd, G., Gibbs, H.L. Functional genomic diversity is correlated with intensity of genetic drift in an endangered rattlesnake. PNAS (in review).
The position is funded through the Ohio Biodiversity Conservation Partnership (https://obcp.osu.edu) and will involve interacting with the Ohio Division of Wildlife personnel. The postdoc will have the opportunity to be involved in other ongoing research projects such as the evolutionary genomics studies of Brazilian snakes in collaboration with researchers at the Instituto Butantan in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct independent research and contribute to ongoing projects in the lab.
- Design and execute experiments using a combination of wet-lab techniques and computational approaches.
- Analyze genomic and evolutionary datasets, using statistical and bioinformatics tools.
- Curate and maintain large datasets, create new bioinformatic pipelines, and explore new computational tools for data analyses
- Publish research findings in top-tier scientific journals and present at national and international conferences.
- Collaborate with other lab members and foster a collegial and collaborative research environment.
- Assist in mentoring and training graduate and undergraduate students.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
- PhD in evolutionary biology, conservation genetics, bioinformatics or a related field
- Expertise in population/conservation genomics or evolutionary genetics
- Fluency in a programming language such as Perl, Python, or R
- Publication record
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience with analysis of whole genome data, statistical methods, and bioinformatics tools
- Experience with demographic modeling using high performance computing resources
START DATE AND DURATION
The position is available 1 September 2023. The initial appointment is for one year with the strong possibility of reappointment for one additional year pending satisfactory performance. Salary is $60K with full benefits.
APPLICATION PROCESS
General inquiries and/or applications should be sent to H. Lisle Gibbs (gibbs.128@osu.edu). Interested candidates should send the following: 1) a CV, 2) Statement of research interests and how current professional abilities match possible project goals, 3) Names and contact information for three references. Review of applications will start 15 June 2023 and will continue until the position is filled.
ABOUT COLUMBUS
The Ohio State University campus is located in Columbus, the capital city of Ohio. Columbus is the center of a rapidly growing and diverse metropolitan area with a population of over 1.5 million. The area offers a wide range of affordable housing, many cultural and recreational opportunities, excellent schools, and a strong economy based on government as well as service, transportation and technology industries (see http://liveworkplaycolumbus.com/). Columbus has consistently been rated as one of the Top U.S. cities for quality of life, and was selected as one of the Top 10 cities for African Americans to live, work, and play by Black Enterprise magazine. Additional information about the Columbus area is available at http://www.columbus.org.
We look forward to welcoming an enthusiastic and talented researcher to our lab, where they will have the opportunity to make significant contributions to the fields of conservation genomics and evolutionary biology and genomics!
The Ohio State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status, or protected veteran status.