Postdoctoral Research Associate – Heinzen Lab

UNC-Chapel Hill; Chapel Hill (NC); On-site; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic institution in Chapel Hill is seeking postdoctoral fellows to study the genetic bases of epilepsy conditions. Candidates will implement cutting-edge genomic analyses and develop novel data analysis approaches. Required qualifications include a Ph.D. in human genetics or a related field and strong communication skills. This role offers opportunities to drive independent research programs aimed at epilepsy treatments in a collaborative environment.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in human genetics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or related field.
• A publication record demonstrating research productivity.

Responsibilities

• Optimize and implement genomic analyses including long-read and whole genome sequencing.
• Develop novel approaches to analyzing generated genomic data.
• Functionally characterize epilepsy-associated variants in vitro.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organization

Writing

Team science skills

Education

Ph.D. in human genetics, bioinformatics, or computational biology

Job description

Position Summary

The Heinzen laboratory in the Division of Pharmacotherapy and Experimental Therapeutics in the Eshelman School of Pharmacy at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is looking to immediately fill multiple postdoctoral fellowship positions to study the genetic and genomic bases of epilepsy conditions with a particular focus on brain-tissue specific genetic variants mediating seizures. The successful candidate will be part of a highly interdisciplinary environment that seeks to identify and functionally characterize genetic variants in epilepsy in order to identify novel treatment approaches in epilepsy.

The successful candidate will optimize and implement cutting-edge genomic analyses, including but not limited to long-read sequencing, whole genome sequencing, single cell sequencing, and chromatin conformation capture techniques, to detect somatic and germline genetic variants/mutations in brain tissue specimens responsible for epilepsy. The fellow will also be tasked with developing novel approaches to analyzing the genomic data generated. Depending on expertise and interest, the applicant could have opportunities to functionally characterize epilepsy-associated variants in vitro in cellular models.

The ultimate goal is for postdoctoral fellows to develop specialized skill sets to drive independent research programs that can launch independent research careers.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

The position requires a Ph.D. in human genetics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or related field, and a publication record demonstrating research productivity.

Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Excellent communication, organization, writing, and willingness to be part of collaborative team science skills.

Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience

• Excellent communication, organization, writing, and willingness to be part of collaborative team science skills.

Special Physical/Mental Requirements

Special Instructions

For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University’s Equal Employment Opportunity office at (919)-962-1091 or send an email to [e-mail]. Please note: The Equal Employment Opportunity office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

The University is an equal opportunity, employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Optional and Required Documents

• Required Documents:
  • Curriculum Vitae / Resume
  • List of References
• Optional Documents:

Supplemental Questions

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