Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium Department of Conservation Genetics
based in Omaha, Nebraska, is seeking two post-doctoral researchers with
interest/expertise in the generation and analysis of next-generation
sequencing data of lemurs, tortoises, and other taxa from Madagascar.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES include the following. Other duties may be
assigned.
The successful applicant will be proficient in the construction genomic
libraries and in solution hybridization methodologies for high
throughput sequencing as well as all relevant analysis of large
datasets, and manage next-generation sequence workflows.
The researchers will be responsible for development, implementation, and
support of software applications related to variant detection and
interpretation from high-throughput experiments involving multiple
species of lemurs, tortoises, and taxa from Madagascar.
Assembly of whole genomes is in-progress, but will likely require
additional analysis pertinent to specific research projects. Interested
candidates should be highly motivated, organized, independent, and have
extensive experience with molecular genomics and bioinformatics, and be
able to efficiently write and revise manuscripts. Data on a variety
from a variety of species has already been generated, thus candidates
will be able to quickly start analysis and manuscript preparation.
Travel to Madagascar to support the field programs of Omaha Zoo and the
Madagascar Biodiversity Partnership is required for a minimum of five
week intervals twice a year.
WORKSKILLS: Strong people skills, detailed oriented, willingness to
learn and contribute, follow directions, meets deadlines
Basic Qualifications:
Applicants should hold a PhD in bioinformatics, computer science,
molecular genomics or related field and have more than one year of
experience in high-throughput genome sequence analysis. Applicants
should be experienced at software related to next generation sequencing
data and be able to manipulate genomic data for phylogenetics and
phylogeography. Our group’s focus is large-scale sequencing for
phylogenetics, phylogeography and evolutionary studies of lemurs,
tortoises and other taxa from Madagascar. Thus, previous experience in
genome assemblies, annotation and analysis of a variety of next
generation sequencing (NGS) pipelines is preferable. The ideal
candidates will be independent, highly motivated, productive, and able
to work effectively in a team with members from a variety of diverse
backgrounds, and have outstanding written and verbal communication
skills. The successful applicants must be interested in
interdisciplinary science and field research and have a solid
publication record that illustrates ability to conduct novel,
independent research.
Preferred Qualifications
Candidates should have 3+ years of experience in molecular biology,
genetics, or bioinformatics. The position requires proficiency in
programming (perl or python) and bash scripting using Linux operating
systems. Applicants are also expected to be familiar with
bioinformatics tools, be able to implement complex computational
pipelines, incorporate genomics databases and have extensive and
creditable laboratory experience with constructing genomic libraries.
The applicants will need to work closely with two full time technicians
to manage NGS lab work, as well as with a full time bioinformatician.
While in Madagascar the researchers will work with a variety of Malagasy
graduate students, and is expected to assist with the progression of a
variety of projects, and assist with completion of their degrees and
peer-reviewed manuscripts. Based on all these above duties requires
candidates with excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to train
and teach both national and international audiences is necessary.
Candidates must also be able to jump between a variety of projects,
based on needs of the research group.
Time Frame
These positions will be part of an on-going team of rotating postdoc
fellows. One of the positions is expected to begin as soon as possible,
while the second is expected to start in January 2018. Initial
appointment will be for two years, with possibility to extend to three
years.
Application
Please submit your CV with the contact information for 3 professional
references, a letter describing your interests and goals, and copies of
a few publications. Please apply at: http://www.omahazoo.com/careers/
Learn more at: https://madagascarpartnership.org/
Must be legally entitled to work in the USA. Visa sponsorship is not
available.
