Postdoctoral Associate
Department of Computational Biology
College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS)
Cornell University
Ithaca, New York

Who We Are

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Cornell embraces diversity and seeks candidates who will contribute to a climate that supports students, faculty, and staff of all identities and backgrounds. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented identities to apply.

Cornell University sits within the vibrant and beautiful city of Ithaca in upstate New York. Ithaca offers an affordable quality of life and abundant multicultural and outdoor activities. The research environment at Cornell is friendly, highly collaborative, and interdisciplinary with numerous academic opportunities and social events that support early-career researchers.

What We Need

We are seeking two Postdoctoral Associates to work on the genetic epidemiology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) at Cornell University. The project aims to develop population-genetic models and phylodynamic statistical inference frameworks and apply the developed methods to whole-genome sequencing data with its associated metadata for studying evolutionary processes and disease transmissions of Mtb. We are especially interested in candidates with experience in Bayesian inference methods. However, there is flexibility regarding the theoretical approaches used, and the postdocs will have the freedom to devise a creative computational framework for the project.

The Postdoctoral Associates will be co-advised by three Principal Investigators—Jaehee Kim, Andrew Clark, and Martin Wells—across the Department of Computational Biology, the Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, and the Department of Statistics and Data Science at Cornell University. The postdocs will also work in close collaboration with Kyu Rhee at Weill Cornell Medicine and Lorenzo Cappello at Universitat Pompeu Fabra. In addition to the research, the Postdoctoral Associates will receive necessary training for their career development, including in the areas of teaching, mentoring, and grant writing.

The start date is ideally September 2022 but can be flexible.

Required Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in a quantitative field (e.g., statistics, computer science, computation biology, or related field).
• Experience with methods development for Bayesian inference and their applications.
• Experience with publication writing (peer-reviewed journal articles as well as extension publications).
• Strong interest in developing novel approaches to biological problems.
• Programming proficiency (e.g., Python, C/C++, R).
• Ability to work effectively with an interdisciplinary team.
• Exemplary oral and written communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience with biological or clinical data preferred but not required.

This is a full-time position and will be located in Ithaca, New York. This is a one-year appointment with an option to extend for a second year. Future possible extensions depend on funding and performance.

Rewards and Benefits

We hope you appreciate great benefits. Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, well-being, sustainability, and diversity initiatives.

• Our benefits program includes comprehensive health care options, employee discounts with local and national retail brands, and generous retirement contributions.
• Our leave provisions include three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: e.g., an end-of-year winter break, from December 25 through January 1.
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Part-time Study and Employee Degree Program, Tuition Aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance program.
• We invite you to follow this link to get more information: https://hr.cornell.edu/summaries-benefits.

To apply:

Please apply via Academic Jobs Online (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/21786).

Qualified candidates should submit a short cover letter, curriculum vitae, contact information for three references, code samples from prior works, preferably publicly accessible (e.g., GitHub), and a statement of contribution to diversity, equity and inclusion via the website. 

Applications will be reviewed as received, continuing until a suitable applicant is identified. For more information, please contact Dr. Jaehee Kim at Jaehee.Kim@cornell.edu.

•  Jaehee Kim (Department of Computational Biology): https://jaeheekimlab.github.io/

•  Andrew Clark (Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics): https://blogs.cornell.edu/andyclarklab/home/

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Life. Changing.

Cornell University is an innovative Ivy League 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.

Diversity and Inclusion are a part of Cornell University’s heritage. We are a recognized employer and educator valuing AA/EEO, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities. We also recognize a lawful preference in employment practices for Native Americans living on or near Indian reservations.