Careers Job Description
General Description
The Lohman Laboratory at the City College of New York (CCNY), the flagship campus of the City University of New York (CUNY), is seeking a motivated and productive postdoctoral researcher in phylogenomics and comparative life history evolution.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
The postdoc will join a team of researchers from the University of Florida, Harvard, Yale and Georgetown University to reconstruct a phylogenetic tree of all butterfly species using anchored hybrid enrichment of marker genes followed by next-gen sequencing. A parallel effort will mine existing databases and literature to synthesize data on species ranges and traits and deliver these data through an online portal. Subsequent analyses will use these tools to examine biogeography, macroecology, and life history evolution of these charismatic insects. The project, ButterflyNet, is funded by a Genealogy of Life grant from the National Science Foundation.
The successful candidate will have three primary responsibilities: 1) coordinating a large, global network of collaborators and contributors to obtain specimens and tissues; 2) traveling to several countries including China, India, and Sri Lanka to perform next-gen library preparation in host laboratories; 3) undertaking large-scale phylogenetic/ phylogenomic analyses and evolutionary comparative studies. The position requires prolonged travel to Asia, and the postdoctoral fellow must be willing and able to travel outside the United States for several months at a time. The postdoctoral researcher will have the option to spend time visiting the laboratories of other participants of ButterflyNet to work on comparative analyses, particularly in later phases of the project: Akito Kawahara and Rob Guralnick at the University of Florida, Leslie Ries at Georgetown, Walter Jetz at Yale and/or Naomi Pierce at Harvard University.
The Biology Department of CCNY has a large and thriving community of faculty, students, and post-docs studying ecology, evolution, and behavior (EEB). The CCNY EEB group interacts with the larger community of biologists in New York at other CUNY campuses and at the American Museum of Natural History, the New York Botanical Garden, and other universities, including Columbia, Rockefeller, and NYU.
Other Duties
ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
> The postdoctoral scientist will be expected to teach an undergraduate elective course on a topic of his or her choice to gain teaching experience.
> Participation in multi-disciplinary ButterflyNet workshops will help broaden the postdoctoral scientist’s skill set.
> Assist with purchasing and other laboratory management activities
> Assist with grant applications and publication writing
> Participate in mentoring graduate and undergraduate students
OTHER DESIRABLE SKILLS
> Prior experience studying insects, especially butterflies or other Lepidoptera
> Laboratory experience with next-gen library preparation and/or phylogenomics
> Proficiency in spoken Mandarin Chinese would be useful but is not required
Qualifications
> Ph.D. in systematics, evolutionary biology, behavioral ecology, genomics and/or related fields
> Fluency in written and spoken English
> Computational proficiency with bioinformatics, phylogenetic inference software, and other analytical programs, including command-line computing
> Laboratory experience with PCR, DNA sequencing, and sequence editing
> Ability to meet deadlines, work in a team, and gather data in challenging conditions
> US citizenship or permanent residency is not a requirement.
To apply, please submit your CV, a cover letter, and the names, phone numbers, and email addresses of three referees using the online application system at rfcuny.org. Applications must be submitted online. Please ask two of the referees to email letters of support to butterflyphylogenomics@gmail.com.
The cover letter should discuss your previous research and training, your qualifications for the position as detailed in this advertisement, and how this postdoctoral position will further your long-term research/career aspirations.
The salary will be commensurate with experience; generous benefits are included. The appointment is initially for one year, with up to two additional years possible given satisfactory progress.
Review of applications will begin 15 October 2015 and will continue until the position has been filled. The successful applicant may begin as early as 1 November 2015, and should ideally begin within the first quarter of 2016.
Any questions about this position should be addressed to David Lohman at butterflyphylogenomics@gmail.com.
For more information about the Lohman Laboratory, please visit:
http://www.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/lohman/
RFCUNY Benefits
RFCUNY Employee Benefits and AccrualsAbout the Research Foundation
The Research Foundation of The City University of New York (RFCUNY) was established as a not-for-profit educational corporation chartered by the State of New York in 1963. RFCUNY supports CUNY faculty and staff in identifying and obtaining external support (pre-award) from government and private sponsors and is responsible for the administration of all such funded programs (post-award).
RFCUNY stands between CUNY’s principal investigators (PIs) and the sponsors who support them and strives to fulfill its essential responsibilities to both groups. Working closely with individual PIs and Grants Officers on the campuses, RFCUNY oversees employment, accounting, audit, reporting, purchasing, and special responsibilities that include management of a planned giving program; liaison with governmental agencies and foundations; negotiation of agreements; facility construction and renovation; protection and commercialization of intellectual property; and compliance with applicable standards in research involving human subjects, animal care, environmental and radiological safety, and conflicts of interest.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
Key Features
Biology
Full Time
$42,000.00 - $52,000.00
Oct 29, 2015 (Or Until Filled)