Position Description

Academic Job Description

Plant Biology Section, School of Integrative Plant Science, Cornell University

Postdoctoral Associate in Plant Computational Biology

  The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) is a pioneer of purpose-driven science and Cornell University’s second largest college. We work across disciplines to tackle the challenges of our time through world-renowned research, education, and outreach. The questions we probe and the answers we seek focus on three overlapping concerns: We believe that achieving next-generation scientific breakthroughs requires an understanding of the world’s complex, interlocking systems. We believe that access to nutritious food and a healthy environment is a fundamental human right. We believe that ensuring a prosperous global future depends on the ability to support local people and communities everywhere. By working in and across multiple scientific areas, CALS can address challenges and opportunities of the greatest relevance, here in New York, across the nation, and around the world.

 The postdoctoral researcher will join a vibrant, internationally-renowned research community in Cornell’s School of Integrative Plant Science (SIPS).  For more information about SIPS, visit http://sips.cals.cornell.edu/. SIPS researchers have connections with faculty in other life sciences, engineering, economics and medical school programs providing a highly collaborative environment for a trainee’s growth.

 Cornell University is a member of the Ivy League. The main campus of Cornell University, which overlooks 40-mile-long Cayuga Lake, is located in the Finger Lakes region of Upstate New York, a scenic environment of spectacular lakes, waterfalls, gorges, rolling hills, farmland, vineyards, and state parks. It is an area with outstanding recreational and summer and winter sports opportunities for individuals and families. Three beautiful state parks lie on the outskirts of Ithaca providing miles of beautiful vistas, hiking trails and camping experiences. The Cornell campus itself is one of the most beautiful in the country. The Ithaca community is culturally diverse with excellent theater, music, sports, and other activities befitting a major university town, yet also has the warmth and friendliness of a small community. The area is known for its many bookstores and restaurants, an extensive walking trail system, arboretum, Laboratory of Ornithology, marina, Farmers Market, a hands-on Science Center, Paleontological Research Institute, and art and science museums. For more information and links to individual attractions, visit http://www.visitithaca.com/.

Position Function    

The Moghe Lab seeks to fill an open computational postdoctoral associate position in the Plant Biology Section at Cornell University. We are part of SIPS that houses over 100 faculty and several hundred graduate students, postdocs and staff with rich integrations across the rest of the Cornell University campus. The Moghe Lab is interested in predictive biology of plant metabolism to enable better characterization of the vast phytochemical diversity, and to identify novel genetic strategies for making sustainable agrochemicals and nature-derived drugs. Our research spans the fields of computational biology, AI/ML, biochemistry, genomics, evolutionary biology, and agricultural science, and we have a solid track record of publications in well-regarded journals. We also engage actively with the global phytochemistry community through the Phytochemical Section at the Botanical Society of America, the PhytochemTalks seminar series, C-SPIRIT and other avenues. More information about the Moghe Lab research program can be found at https://www.moghelab.org. 

This position requires a recent PhD graduate with significant expertise in computational biology. The project involves analysis of two different kinds of data – genomics and metabolomics. Expertise in either one of these areas is a requirement, but the postdoctoral scientist should be comfortable learning about and working on both aspects. The project involves developing workflows for cutting-edge metabolomic analysis, gene function prediction and integrative analysis of multimodal genomic datasets. The researcher should be able to develop and/or implement AI/ML approaches in these endeavors. The postdoc will be expected to continue and lead communication with a multi-national team of researchers, including with public domain databases such as UniProt, Gene Ontology, Plant Reactome, Plant Metabolic Network, C-SPIRIT etc. Therefore, evidence of excellent communication and ability to work in diverse teams is highly preferred.

The postdoc will work in a collaborative environment and have opportunities to mentor graduate students and undergrads, present at national/international conferences, attend workshops, participate in other collaborative projects and enhance their teaching credentials through occasional guest lectures. Given the multi-disciplinary nature of the lab,   will also have opportunities to learn foundational wet-lab approaches, perform LC-MS experiments, and participate in/develop other projects, making them highly competitive for future academic or industry careers.

As is standard for postdoc appointments, this is a one-year term appointment with extension possible based on available work, performance and funding. The expected start date is flexible from March-June 2025.

Anticipated Division of Time

80% : Research as described above

10% : Manuscript preparation, presentations

10% : Mentoring and professional development

Requirements

PhD in Computational Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, Plant Biology or other related field.

Required skills:

• A good foundational understanding of molecular biology and biochemistry
• Ability to work independently in Unix-based HPC systems
• Expertise in coding in Python
• Expertise in computational genomic and/or metabolomic analyses
• 2+ years’ experience with implementing or developing machine learning algorithms
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Evidence of performing high-quality research individually and as part of a team 

Preferred skills:

• Experience with Python Django, R Shiny and Docker
• Experience with development and deployment of web tools

Supervision Exercised

The postdoc will be expected to mentor undergraduate and/or early graduate students, however, this position does not require direct supervision.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/29626

Qualified candidates should submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, 1-2 pages statement of research interests, copies of two publications, contact information for three references, and a statement supporting diverse communities (this can be a stand-alone document (preferred) or the information can be embedded in other parts of the application materials) outlining how, through research, teaching, service, mentoring, extension, and/or outreach, the candidate has and will contribute to support Cornell’s historical mission of “any person … any study,” via the website. 

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified.

CALS hiring rate for this title is $61,428.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League and Land-grant university and a great place to work. Our inclusive community of scholars, students, and staff impart an uncommon sense of larger purpose and contribute creative ideas to further the university's mission of teaching, discovery, and engagement.

Cornell’s regional and global presence includes state-wide Cornell Cooperative Extension programs and offices in all counties and boroughs, global partnerships with institutions and communities engaged in life-changing research and education, the medical college’s campuses on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and Doha, Qatar, and the Cornell Tech campus on Roosevelt Island in the heart of New York City.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, and we do not tolerate discrimination based on any protected characteristic, including race, ethnic or national origin, citizenship and immigration status, color, sex/gender, pregnancy or pregnancy-related conditions, age, creed, religion, actual or perceived disability (including persons associated with such a person), arrest and/or conviction record, military or veteran status, sexual orientation, gender expression and/or identity, an individual’s genetic information, domestic violence victim status, familial status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations in accordance with applicable law. 

Cornell University embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff to all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented and/or marginalized identities to apply.