Two Postdoctoral Scholar Positions in Gene Myers Unit (Algorithms for Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics Unit)
Develop algorithms and bioinformatics tools for genome assembly, annotation, and comparison, and support sequencing projects on diverse species.
The Position
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.
Responsibilities
- To work on methods for assembly and genome comparisons.
- To work as a bioinformatician for several sequencing projects.
Requirements
Qualifications
Required
- Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a relevant field 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
Benefits
- Relocation, housing and commuting allowances
- Annual paid leave and summer holidays
- Health insurance (Private School Mutual Aid)
- Welfare pension insurance (kousei-nenkin)
- Worker's accident compensation insurance (roudousha-saigai-hoshou-hoken)
- Access to Child Development Center
- Access to Schooling Options
- Language Education Resource Center (Daily Life Support in Okinawa)
- Remote Work system
Additional Info
Employment Term
Full-time, fixed-term appointment for 2 years. Contract initially with 6-month probationary period (inclusive). This contract may be renewed by taking into consideration the performance, conduct, and behavior of the Employee and OIST's financial and other circumstances. Myers is committed to providing the resources and mentorship that will allow creative, self-motivated postdocs to advance to the next career stage.
Working Hours
9:00-17:30 (Discretionary)
Holidays: Saturday, Sunday, National holidays, and Year-end and New Year holidays (Dec. 29 – Jan. 3)
Leave: Annual Paid Leave, Summer Leave, Sick Leave, and Special Leave
Overtime work hours: Discretionary Working Hours System: In the discretionary labor system for specialized work, the employee shall be deemed to have worked 7 hours 30 minutes per day.
Report to
Professor Gene Myers, Algorithms for Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics Unit
Application Documents
- 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: [email protected]
Declaration
- 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.
- 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. OIST Privacy Policy
- Recruiting Organization: Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology School Corporation
- Prevention of Passive Smoking: No smoking indoors
- Please view our policy for rules on external professional activities (Information Disclosure – 10. Others – 6. OIST Rules for Concurrent Appointment).
- Further details about the University can be viewed on our website
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