Two Postdoctoral Scholar positions in Gene Myers Unit (Algorithms for Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics Unit)
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST; see www.oist.jp) is a dynamic graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The school is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking beautiful shorelines and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding (OIST campus video tour). There are no academic departments, which facilitates cross-disciplinary research. Superb resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration. English is the official language of the university, and the research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. After only ten years, OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in research, education, and innovation.
Position Summary:
We are looking for postdocs with experience in algorithm design and bioinformatics to work on methods for assembling, annotating, and comparing the genomes of all species of life …
The last decade has seen a huge leap forward in our ability to produce de novo, nearly complete, phased reconstructions of any genome using single-molecule long read technologies. There has been a flurry of new algorithms and bioinformatics tools in support of this development, and the goal of perfect telomere-to-telomere, phased reconstructions are thought to be within reach. Driving this has been the formation of consortia such as the Vertebrate Genome Project, the Bat1K, and the Darwin Tree-of-Life project with the goals of sequencing all vertebrates, all bats, and all extant life in the UK, respectively.
My team has been a part of this vanguard both in terms of methods development and sequencing projects. I have two postdoc positions available immediately at OIST to work on methods for assembly and genome comparisons, and also to work as a bioinformatician for several sequencing projects around ants, beetles, and marine life in the Asian Pacific. The ideal candidate is foremost an algorithm designer with a solid background in computational biology with the ability to further produce highly efficient, well-engineered software realizing their novel algorithm designs. Experience with methods for assembly, alignment, or strings in general is a plus albeit not a requirement. While most of a candidate’s effort will be towards methods research, they will also be expected to perform assemblies, annotations, and other analyses in support of our sequencing projects (for which they will receive co-authorship). See https://groups.oist.jp/aeeg for more.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University was established in 2011 to contribute to the development of science and technology worldwide and to serve as a hub of innovation in Okinawa. OIST is a dynamic new graduate university of science and technology in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan which offers a 5-year PhD program and brings together outstanding researchers from across the country and across disciplines to conduct cutting-edge scientific research.
The university is located on 85 hectares of protected forestland overlooking a beautiful shoreline and coral reefs. The campus is striking architecturally, and the facilities are outstanding. To facilitate multidisciplinary research, there are no academic departments. Outstanding resources and equipment are provided and managed to encourage easy access and collaboration.
English is the official language of the University, and the university research community is fully international, with more than 50 countries represented. OIST is rapidly gaining recognition in the worldwide academic community as a model for excellence in education and research, and our unwavering commitment to scientific and technological innovation is dedicated to generating progress that will fuel Okinawa's economic growth.
- To work on methods for assembly and genome comparisons.
- To work as a bioinformatician for several sequencing projects.
(Required)
- Ph.D. in Computational Biology/Bioinformatics/Computer Science or relevant fields by the time of employment
- Algorithm design and programming skills
- Communication skill in English
(Preferred)
- Experience with methods for assembly, alignment, or strings in general
- Communication skill in Japanese
In accordance with the OIST Employee Compensation Regulations
Benefits:
- Relocation, housing and commuting allowances
- Annual paid leave and summer holidays
- Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid http://www.shigakukyosai.jp/ )
- Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
- Worker’s accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
- Cover Letter including the date of application, name, e-mail address, phone number at which the applicant can be contacted, and a brief description of motivation/reason for applying for this post.
- CV with publication list. Include address, date of birth, nationality, education (including adviser names), positions held, memberships in scientific societies, honors/awards, publications, presentations, etc.
- Research performed. 1 or 2 pages. Figures can be included within this page limitation.
- Names and contact details of three references. Contact details should include e-mail addresses, phone numbers, and postal addresses. Japanese names and addresses should be written in both Japanese and English. Agreement should be obtained prior to submission of the application that the references may be contacted in confidentiality. Two recommendation letters written in English will be obtained before a hiring decision is made.
- Additional information may be requested during selection.
- Prior to the start of employment all new hires are required to successfully complete a background check. Personal information including employment history and academic background should be submitted to third-party administrators after a conditional offer of employment.
Apply by emailing your Submission Documents to: eugene.myers@oist.jp
- OIST Graduate University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator and employer and is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, students and staff. The University strongly encourages women and minority candidates to apply.
- Information provided by applicants or references will be kept confidential, documents will not be returned. All applicants will be notified regarding the status of their applications.
- Please view our policy for rules on external professional activities (https://groups.oist.jp/acd/information-disclosure/).
- Further details about the University can be viewed on our website (www.oist.jp).
Full-time (Nontenured)
The positions have guaranteed funding for the next 3 years and possibly beyond. The minimum expected term is two years with longer durations possible. There is a 3-month probationary period. Myers is committed to providing the resources and mentorship that will allow creative, self-motivated postdocs to advance to the next career stage.
9:00-17:30 (Discretionary)