Key Features
Biological Sciences
Full Time
$50,000.00 - $50,000.00
Oct 06, 2020 (Or Until Filled)
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Job Description
General Description
The Blair lab at NYC College of Technology (City Tech/CUNY) focuses on using genomics and sophisticated computational methods to understand evolutionary patterns and elucidate the processes giving rise to such patterns. Specific areas of focus include genomics, molecular phylogenetics, phylogeography, species delimitation, and DNA barcoding. The lab is currently seeking a two year postdoctoral scholar who will work on an NSF funded project that uses multiple species of phrynosomatid lizards to understand the influence of gene flow during the diversification of arid-adapted organisms distributed throughout the major deserts of western North America. A second major goal of the project is to combine genomic data, mtDNA, morphology, and ecology to refine species limits and describe new taxa. Data will be collected from approximately 10 species/species complexes from multiple phrynosomatid genera. This project is a collaborative effort with researchers from multiple institutions with expertise in genomics, phylogenetics, and morphological analysis.
In addition to conducting research to fulfill the objectives of the grant, the scholar will be expected to teach one undergraduate course per semester of his/her choosing. Formal teaching experience can often make postdoctoral scholars more competitive for the job market. City Tech is considered a Hispanic serving institution, with many students being the first in their family to attend college. This postdoctoral position will be particularly attractive to candidates with a dual interest in genomic research and in teaching a large, historically underrepresented population.
Other Duties
- Assist in the collection of tissue and voucher samples in the field.
- Maintain databases pertaining to current tissue holdings.
- Collect and analyze meristic and morphometric data to aid in species delimitation.
- Perform standard molecular lab work (e.g. DNA extraction, quantification, PCR, sample prep for next-generation sequencing).
- Analyze newly obtained molecular data using recently developed software.
- Write manuscripts in collaboration with other researchers involved with the project.
- Assist in supervising undergraduate researchers.
- Develop a personalized teaching program at the undergraduate level.
- Present results at national scientific meetings.
- Meet with PI at least once per week to discuss progress.
Qualifications
A PhD degree in a relevant discipline is required prior to the official start date. Candidates should have previous experience with genomics, phylogenetic analysis, population genomics, bioinformatics, and cluster computing. Prior programming experience is not required, but would be beneficial. An interest and background in the biology of reptiles and amphibians would also be helpful, but is not required. Strong written and oral communication skills are required. Candidates should be available for periodic laboratory work. However, many other duties can be done remotely.