Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Biology and Machine Learning

University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Virginia is seeking a Postdoctoral Researcher in computational biology and machine learning within the Chu Lab, Department of Genome Sciences. This role involves leading projects on spatial transcriptomics and developing novel machine learning frameworks to analyze biological data.

Successful candidates will have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline and demonstrate a strong foundation in mathematics and statistics. This position offers a collaborative mentorship environment and supports scientific independence during research. The lab is situated in a vibrant academic community in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Qualifications

• Candidates must have a Ph.D. in a relevant quantitative discipline by the appointment start date.
• Prior experience with spatial transcriptomics or single-cell omics is a plus, but not required.
• Strong desire to work on biological problems through quantitative methods.

Responsibilities

• Develop models for spatial and single-cell transcriptomics.
• Build generative models to characterize cellular and tissue heterogeneity.
• Develop deep-learning and statistical methods for gene regulation analysis.

Skills

Strong foundational knowledge in mathematics and statistics

Proficiency in PyTorch

Intellectual curiosity for solving biological problems

Education

Ph.D. in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Computational Biology, or related fields

Job description

Overview

The Chu Lab — Department of Genome Sciences, University of Virginia School of Medicine

The Chu Lab (www.tchulab.org) in the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Virginia (UVA) School of Medicine is seeking to fill Postdoctoral Researcher positions in computational biology and machine learning. The lab develops modern machine learning, generative modeling, and statistical learning frameworks to decipher single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data, with the goal of uncovering cellular and tissue dynamics underlying cancer, inflammation, and tissue senescence.

Research Directions

Successful candidates will lead one or more of the following ongoing projects:

• Developing neural differential equation and continuous‑time dynamical models for spatial and single‑cell transcriptomics to dissect cell–cell interactions and perturbation responses in complex tissue microenvironments.
• Building generative models of single‑cell and spatial data to characterize cellular and tissue heterogeneity in cancer, inflammation, and tissue senescence.
• Developing next‑generation deep‑learning and statistical deconvolution methods for inferring gene regulation from bulk, single‑cell, and spatial‑omics data.

Candidates are also encouraged to develop independent research directions aligned with the lab's interests.

About the PI

The lab is led by Dr. Tinyi Chu, who joined UVA as Assistant Professor in 2026. Dr. Chu received his Ph.D. in Computational Biology from Cornell University and subsequently completed postdoctoral training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and Yale University. His work has appeared as first‑ or co‑first‑author publications in Nature Cancer, Nature Genetics, and Cell Stem Cell, spanning statistical method development, cancer transcriptional regulation, and spatial transcriptomics. He is the lead developer of widely used open‑source software including BayesPrism, a Bayesian deconvolution framework selected as a Nature Cancer 2022 highlight. Dr. Chu's research has been recognized by a Damon Runyon Quantitative Biology Fellowship and is currently supported by an NIH K99/R00 Pathway to Independence Award (NHGRI) and substantial UVA institutional startup funding — providing a strongly resourced environment for ambitious, long‑horizon methodological research.

Mentorship and Career Development

The Chu Lab is built on the philosophy of "Mentorship as Collaboration," where trainees are valued as scientific collaborators rather than assistants. As a postdoctoral scientist in a newly established lab, you will receive individualized mentorship tailored to your career goals, defined by genuine intellectual exchange, direct technical engagement in algorithm and model development, and shared co‑ownership of the science.

• Active Collaboration. The PI maintains an open‑door policy, meets regularly with trainees, and is deeply involved to support their algorithm and model development.
• Scientific Independence. You will be supported to develop and lead your own research ideas with the freedom and computational resources required to pursue them.
• Grant Writing and Career Transition. Leveraging the PI's recent successful K99/R00 transition, you will receive step‑by‑step training in scientific writing, proposal preparation, and fellowship applications. Postdocs are supported and encouraged to apply for independent fellowships.
• Visibility. Full support for presenting at top‑tier venues spanning machine learning and computational biology, and active assistance in building your professional network across academia and industry.

Environment

The Chu Lab is part of a vibrant interdisciplinary research community at UVA, with active collaborations across the UVA School of Medicine. The lab has full access to UVA's high‑performance computing resources and core facilities supporting genomics and imaging.

Charlottesville, Virginia is a highly livable university town nestled at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for its excellent quality of life, affordability relative to other U.S. research hubs, and rich cultural and outdoor offerings.

Minimum Qualifications

Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Computational Biology, Biophysics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline, in hand by the appointment start date.

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong foundational knowledge in mathematics and statistics
• Proficiency in PyTorch (or equivalent deep‑learning frameworks)
• At least one peer‑reviewed publication in the previous area of research (not necessarily biology‑related)
• Genuine intellectual curiosity for solving biological problems through quantitative approaches
• Prior experience with spatial transcriptomics, single‑cell omics, or related biological datasets is a plus but not required — candidates from purely computational backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply; domain‑specific biological knowledge can be acquired on the job

Employment Details

This is a 12‑month appointment with the possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and the availability of funding. Salary is commensurate with education and experience.

Postdoctoral employment is temporary and is normally limited to an individual who has been awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate within the previous five years and who will be involved in full‑time research or scholarship at the University. Employment as a Postdoctoral Research Associate is viewed as training and is preparatory for a full‑time academic or research career, is supervised by a senior scholar, and allows the appointee to publish the results of his/hers research or scholarship during the training period.

This position will sponsor applicants for work visas who meet the qualifications.

Start date is available immediately; the start date is flexible.

This position will remain open until filled. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment.

To Apply

Please apply through Careers at UVA, and search for R0083959.

Complete an Application Online With the Following Documents

• CV
• Cover letter
• Contact information for 3 references

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.

For questions about the application process, please contact Bill Crane, Academic Recruiter at [e-mail].

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non‑discrimination and equal opportunity employment.