Postdoctoral Researcher in the group "Evolutionary Processes Modeling"

The Institute

The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by a flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies.

In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research ' Award from the European Commission. This is a recognition of the Institute's commitment to developing an HR Strategy for Researchers, designed to bring the practices and procedures in line with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Charter and Code). 

Please, check out our Recruitment Policy .

The role 

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the 'Evolutionary Processes Modeling' group. We use computational analysis of sequencing data together with population genetics predictions and statistical modeling to answer questions about mutational processes and selective pressures in cancer cells. The ideal candidate should be highly motivated and eager to work on evolutionary and biological problems through the use and development of computational and statistical approaches.

About the team

Cancer is a genetic disease, subject to population genetics forces like mutation, selection and stochasticity. Our group is particularly interested in how the evolution and survival of cancer cell populations relies on mutation influx as well as in selection inference from observed mutation data. To this end, we develop mathematical and computational approaches to estimate mutation rates and selection. Coding sequences of cancer tumors not only exhibit positively selected mutations that drive cancer (www.nature.com/articles/s41588-019-0572-y ), but there also exists a small fraction of genes that the tumor cannot afford to lose (www.nature.com/articles/ng.3987 ). In addition to genes, cancer driver loci can occur in the non-coding part of the genome (www.nature.com/articles/s41467-017-00100-x ). Estimates of the strength of selection in cancer allow for a prioritization of genes and non-coding regions by their disease relevance, with the ultimate goal of promoting therapeutic advances.

We are also interested in mutation rates and selection inference in the context of human genetic variation, including polymorphisms (http://www.nature.com/articles/ng.3831; academic.oup.com/mbe/article-abstract/36/8/1701/5475505) and de novo variants (www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-17162-z ). Here, a particular focus of the group lies on the description of purifying selection in humans and across species, accounting for mutational processes as well as the effects of genetic drift.

The Evolutionary Processes Modeling lab was established in October 2018 and is part of the “Bioinformatics and Genomics” program at the CRG. Further information can be found at https://weghornlab.net/ and at www.crg.eu/en/programmes-groups/weghorn-lab .

Whom would we like to hire? 

Professional experience

Must Have

• You are familiar with the principles of population genetics
• You have experience with machine learning algorithms
• Education and training
• You hold a PhD degree in mathematics, physics or a related discipline

Languages

• You are fluent in English

Technical skills

• You have experience with computational data analysis
• You are familiar with modeling and statistical analysis

Competences 

• You have highly developed organization skills
• You have good communication skills

The Offer – Working Conditions

• Contract duration: 1 year, to be extended to 3 years.
• Estimated annual gross salary: Salary is commensurate with qualifications and consistent with our pay scales.
• Target start date: 01/11/2022

We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructures, and unique professional career development opportunities. To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section.

We offer and promote a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applicants regardless of age, disability, gender, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or gender identity.

The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and are offering extended vacation period and the possibility to benefit from flexible working hours.

Application Procedure

All applications must include:

All applications must be submitted online on the CRG Career site - http://www.crg.eu/en/content/careers/job-opportunities 

Selection Process

• Pre-selection: The pre-selection process will be based on qualifications and expertise reflected on the candidates CVS. It will be merit-based.
• Interview: Preselected candidates will be interviewed by the Hiring Manager of the position and a selection panel if required.
• Offer Letter: Once the successful candidate is identified the Human Resources department will send a Job Offer, specifying the start day, salary, working conditions, among other important details. 

Deadline: Please submit your application by 15/10/2022.

Suggestions: The CRG believes in ongoing improvement and promotes a culture of feedback. This is one of the reasons we have in place, at your disposal as a candidate, a mechanism to gather your suggestions/complaints concerning your candidate experience in our recruitment processes. Your feedback really matters to us in our aim at creating a positive candidate journey. You can make a difference and help us improve by letting us know your suggestions through the following form.