CLOSED – Computational Biology Postdoc – Harvard

Job Title: Computational Biology Postdoctoral Fellowship – Harvard University

Date of Postdoc Position Posting: 6/13/22

Postdoctoral Position Discipline: Biological and Biomedical Sciences – Molecular and Cellular Biology, Computational Biology

Position Description

The team of Dr. Elena Rivas has an NSF-funded postdoctoral position available for up to 3 years, in the Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology at Harvard University. We are seeking postdocs in computational biology working at the interface of probabilistic and evolutionary models interested in remote homology problems.

The research project aims to bring homology detection to the next level by integrating probabilistic evolutionary models in order to transfer the learned homology models trained on present-day data into the realm of unseen remote homology or to reconstruct ancestral sequences. By tuning to more divergence, the evolved models may reveal new homologs that cannot be detected by current models expanding the phylogenetic range of a gene; and synthesized divergent sequences may suggest homologies that should be there, but they are not, thus revealing clade-specific genes. Conversely, reconstruction and comparison of ancestral amino acid sequences may reveal homologies that cannot be detected in present-day proteins establishing homologies between currently assumed disconnected protein families.

Required Qualifications

A Ph.D. is required. Optimal candidates will have an understanding of probabilistic and evolutionary models for genomics, as well as a solid coding background. Candidates are also expected to carry an independent research program, as there will be ample room for following their own ideas. Candidates from diverse and non-traditional backgrounds are encouraged to apply.

Additional Position Details

  • Opportunity for teaching: No
  • Opportunity for supervision/mentoring: Yes  
  • Opportunity for community outreach and engagement: No

How to Apply:

Letters of recommendation are not required at the time of application, however letters will be collected for finalists. Candidates should submit with their application contact information for two to three references from experts at the ladder faculty ranks or highly accomplished senior researchers from corporations or research institutes.

Please include the following items as part of your application:
Cover Letter
Curriculum Vitae
Name and contact information for 3 references.

Alternatively, you may send your cover letter, CV, and the names of 3 references directly to Dr. Rivas at: elenarivas@fas.harvard.edu
The position is available any time after July 1, 2022.

Download a PDF copy of this postdoc position posting by clicking on the link here. 

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