Postdoctoral Researcher – Gerencser lab (bioinformatics)

POSITION SUMMARY
The Gerencser lab at the Buck Institute seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher to study mitochondrial signaling in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Dr. Akos Gerencser’s laboratory uses cell biology, advanced microscopy, and single-cell gene expression techniques to address fundamental questions about mitochondrial function in health and aging. A current emphasis is the regulation of mitochondrial function in pancreatic β-cells in human type 2 diabetes. This is a bioinformatics position focused on integrating single-cell gene expression data with other modalities, including using machine learning to interpret images or other data. 

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Altered cellular energetics and related cellular signaling contribute to human disease in general and physiological aging and chronic diseases in particular, including cancer, neurodegeneration, ischemic heart disease, and type 2 diabetes. Mitochondrial metabolism also plays a central role in insulin secretion in pancreatic β-cells. The project investigates the molecular pathways that make healthy β-cell bioenergetics – and insulin secretion – normally highly responsive to glucose, and pathways that may fail in type 2 diabetes. Relevant papers from our lab to this project are PMIDs 26204464, 27404273, and 27771512. The project uses microscale bioenergetic assaying of human primary β-cell cultures, top-down analysis of cellular energy metabolism, and single-cell gene expression analysis, utilizing the 10xGenomics platform.

A good knowledge of cellular metabolic pathways is important. The successful candidate will use data analysis tools to query relationships of bioenergetic/metabolic phenotype and gene expression, will analyze multiplexed microscopy data with conventional and machine learning tools, and will be optionally involved in the wet-bench experimental work. You will receive training in the experimental technologies used in this project, design, and conduct experiments, and analyze data. You are expected to lead your own project, write up, and present results.

QUALIFICATIONS
Essential Requirements

• Ph.D. in biological or biomedical sciences, bioengineering, or bioinformatics
• Data analysis skills
• Ability to write scripts in a common scientific data analysis language
• Linux skills, installing and using command line tools for data analysis
• Proven publication record
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Ability to prioritize and manage your time
• Ability to work independently and successfully within a group

Desired Skills

• Proficiency with laboratory automation
• Experience in single-cell RNAseq workflows and handling NGS data
• Knowledgeable mining of online databases
• Coding in R and Python
• Microscopy and image analysis using scripting
• Experience with convolutional neural networks in image analysis

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• The starting salary for a new postdoc is $68,000 in 2023, with a range of up to $82,000 commensurate with postdoc level and experience.
• Exciting, dynamic work environment at the forefront of science using state-of-the-art techniques.
• Generous benefits package including health insurance, paid parental leave, childcare assistance, generous vacation/sick leave, and 401(k) with 5% employer match.
• Collaborative environment – both for science and social activities.

Tagged as: bioinformatics, data scientist, diabetes, postdoc, postdoctoral researcher, science jobs