The Health Equity for Advancing Research and Technology using Genomic Neuroscience (HEART-GeN) research group, led by Dr. Kynon J. Benjamin, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow with expertise in bioinformatics and/or machine learning. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research focused on understanding the genetic underpinnings of neurological disorders in underrepresented populations.
About the Lab:
Dr. Benjamin, an assistant professor of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences at the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, leads a research team dedicated to improving therapeutics for underserved communities. Our lab investigates the influence of genetic ancestry on molecular brain signatures, with a particular focus on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and schizophrenia.
Position Overview:
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in conducting secondary analyses of large-scale multi-omic datasets to identify genetic ancestry-associated transcriptional changes in neurological disorders. By leveraging publicly available resources, you will contribute to novel research aimed at addressing health disparities.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement computational pipelines for analyzing large-scale multi-omics datasets (single-cell, spatial, and bulk transcriptomics)
- Integrate multi-omics data to investigate the complex interplay between genetic ancestry, gene expression, environment, and neurological traits
- Collaborate with wet-lab researchers to design and execute experiments that validate computational findings and advance our understanding of health disparities
- Communicate research findings effectively through scientific presentations, publications, and collaborations with other researchers
Essential Qualifications:
- D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Neuroscience, or related field
- Proficiency in Python and/or C/C++ for developing and implementing computational pipelines
- Experience analyzing large-scale genomic and transcriptomic datasets to identify patterns and biological insights
- Strong foundation in statistical analysis and data visualization techniques to interpret and communicate findings effectively
- Excellent written and oral communication skills to collaborate with researchers and present findings to diverse audiences
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary research team
Desired Qualifications:
- A track record of peer-reviewed publications showcasing research contributions in the field
- Familiarity with R programming language for data analysis, visualization, and statistical modeling
- Knowledge of neuroscience and statistical genetics
- Experience applying machine learning algorithms to genomic data for predictive modeling and pattern recognition
What we offer:
- An opportunity to work on cutting-edge research addressing critical health disparities
- Access to unique datasets and state-of-the-art computational resources
- A collaborative and interdisciplinary research environment
- Support for professional development and career advancement
- Extensive grant writing support for F and K awards to develop an independent line of research
- Competitive salary with a full benefits package
Our research group is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). We strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds, especially those underrepresented in STEM fields.
To apply, please email a CV, cover letter including research interests and commitment to DEI, and contact information for three references to kynon.benjamin@northwestern.edu. Please include “Postdoctoral Fellow Application – Bioinformatics” in the subject line.
