Postdoctoral Fellow - Integrative Biology Laboratory, Dr. Graham McVicker

Description
The McVicker laboratory studies how human genetic variation affects gene regulation by combining experimental approaches with computational analyses. We are especially interested in identifying pathogenic regulatory variants that act in immune cells and cancer cells. Currently, we are developing new tools to discover somatic regulatory mutations in cancer genomes, and manipulating cell lines with high-throughput CRISPR technologies to discover new regulatory sequences. In much of our research, we develop sophisticated computational and statistical methods so that we can extract subtle signals from noisy experimental data.

Position Description:

Quantitative trait mapping of single cell gene expression and chromatin traits
The McVicker Laboratory at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to tackle cutting-edge research problems in genetics, gene regulation and chromatin biology. The successful candidate will develop new statistical and computational methods to map single cell gene expression and chromatin traits and will have the opportunity analyze large single-cell ATAC-seq and single-cell RNA-seq datasets. These datasets are being collected by our collaborators at UCSD, and will be used to better understand the genetic basis of complex diseases including opioid addiction and type 1 diabetes.

Diversity:
We are committed to diversity in science. The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Location
The Salk Institute for Biological Studies is an architectural landmark and is one of the top biological research institutes in the world. It is located in beautiful La Jolla, a community of San Diego, California, and is close to many biotechnology companies and other research institutes including the University of California, San Diego.

Education:

Applicants should have a strong quantitative background and must have, or expect to receive, a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline (Genetics, Computer Science, Statistics, Bioinformatics, etc.).

Experience:

Required skills/experience:

• Experience with Python or other scripting language
• Experience in R or other data analysis language
• Experience in statistics and/or machine learning
• Proficiency in Unix / Linux
• Proficiency in scientific writing and communication
• Contributions to published papers/preprints
• Strong interest in biology, chromatin, and gene regulation

Desired skills/experience:

• Experience with bioinformatics tools / software
• Experience with next-generation sequencing data
• Experience with single-cell genomics
• Experience with C/C++ or other compiled programming language
• Ability to work closely with collaborators from diverse backgrounds
• Interest in complex human traits, especially diabetes or addiction, using human samples and animal models of disease

Application Instructions:

Email Dr. Graham McVicker at gmcvicker@salk.edu with your CV, a brief cover letter describing your background and research interests, and contact information for 2-3 references.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)