Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Molecular Medicine

SickKids; Toronto; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a talented post-doctoral research fellow in molecular medicine to advance computational biology skills. This exciting role involves analyzing metagenomic datasets and developing modeling tools to study complex microbial communities, particularly in poultry health. The fellow will collaborate with a dynamic team, contributing to innovative research that translates microbiome studies into practical applications. With a focus on creativity and independent thinking, this opportunity promises to enhance your expertise in a supportive and collaborative environment while addressing critical health issues in the poultry industry.

Qualifications

• PhD in bioinformatics or computational biology, preferably within the last two years.
• Strong computational skills in R and Python with creativity in method development.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and model poultry gut communities using metagenomic datasets.
• Contribute to writing manuscripts and submitting datasets to repositories.

Skills

R

Python

Computational Biology

Metagenomics

Linear Algebra

Constraints Based Modeling

Metabolic Reconstruction

High Performance Computing

Strong Communication Skills

Education

PhD in Bioinformatics

PhD in Computational Biology

Tools

Modeling Tools

GitHub

High Performance Compute Platform

Job description

Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Molecular Medicine

Position Description

Funded by Genome Alberta, we have an opening for a postdoctoral fellow interested in furthering their skills in computational biology. Research in the Parkinson lab focuses on dissecting pathways in the gut microbiome that contribute to health and disease. Over the past seven years, we have been using the chicken gut microbiome as an excellent model system to examine microbial interactions through a combination of genomics, systems biology and computer modeling. In recent work we developed a metabolic model of communities in the chicken gut to reveal the contributions of keystone taxa (https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.10.14.618310v1). In the current project we are building on this work to systematically identify stable gut communities that can be used to seed the developing gut microbiome of chicks to support poultry health and wellbeing. Based at SickKids in Toronto, the fellow will work with colleagues located in Alberta, as well as members of the Parkinson lab (http://www.compsysbio.org), to analyse and model poultry gut communities.

In brief, the work will involve processing and analysis of metagenomic datasets generated from poultry samples, generating metabolic reconstructions for taxa identified from these samples and performing in silico modeling of these communities using established modeling tools on the University of Toronto's high performance compute platform. The fellow will be encouraged to use their creativity to develop the modeling platform to incorporate additional (non-metabolic) features that better reflect the gut environment, as well as perform rigorous benchmarking of the various tools used in the analyses. The fellow will be expected to contribute to writing of draft manuscripts, submission of sequencing datasets to public repositories and contribute code to the project GitHub.

The ideal candidate will be a talented and creative computational biologist with expertise in R and Python, interested in developing and applying modeling tools to study complex microbial communities. The candidate will be expected to bring expertise in some of the following areas: linear algebra, constraints based modeling (e.g. flux balance analysis), metagenomics, metabolic reconstruction and high performance computing. The position is available for 1 year in the first instance but subject to renewal for at least one additional year.

Here's What You'll Get To Do

• Participate in a dynamic team developing cutting edge approaches to translate microbiome research to improve gut health
• Develop and apply new methods to identify microbial communities that can be used in commercial settings
• Disseminate research findings through publications, presentations, and seminars

Here's What You'll Need

• PhD degree in bioinformatics, computational biology or related field (candidates who have obtained their PhD within the last two years are preferred)
• Excellent computational/programming skills
• Creativity in development of new methods
• Motivation and the ability to work independently as well as part of a team
• Strong communications skills

Employment Type: Full-time temporary 1 year contract, 1.0 FTE

Our Commitment to Diversity

The children and families we care for are from a variety of communities, and so are our employees. We welcome and encourage everyone to join our organization and be part of our team.

When requested, SickKids will provide access and inclusion supports to eligible candidates to support their full engagement during the interview and assessment process. Information received related to access or inclusion will be addressed confidentially.

Thank you for your interest in joining SickKids. Only those applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. In accordance with our Hospital policy, employment at SickKids is conditional upon the Hospital’s receipt of all necessary documentation.

How to Apply

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