The Institute for Genomic Medicine (IGM) at Columbia University, in partnership with AstraZeneca's Center for Genomics Research (CGR), is seeking a motivated and creative postdoctoral research scholar to uncover disease mechanisms across a wide range of conditions, and ultimately to drive the development of new precision medicines. The successful applicant will apply an existing gene-based rare-variant association pipeline as well as develop novel statistical genetics and computational methods to drive gene discovery from large whole exome and whole genome data sets, paired with corresponding phenotype data.

The successful candidate will be part of a vibrant research environment in the IGM. The IGM is an integral part of Columbia University's Precision Medicine Initiative. As part of this Initiative, the IGM sequences and performs comprehensive genomic analyses on more than 10,000 patient genomes per year in order to identify new therapeutic targets. The IGM utilizes mouse models and human pluripotent stem cells to understand how the implicated mutations contribute to disease phenotypes.

The successful candidate will also work with AstraZeneca's CGR based in Cambridge UK, which implements the AstraZeneca Genomics Initiative. This Initiative aims to analyze data from up to 2 million genomes including genomic samples donated by patients in its clinical trials. This genome sequence data is linked to rich phenotypic records including data on disease and drug response data. This Initiative is expected to provide novel insights into the biology of disease, identify and validate new targets for medicines, improve selection of patients for clinical trials and match treatments to patients most likely to benefit.

This represents an exciting opportunity to be at the forefront of the rapidly expanding field of precision medicine and therapeutic discovery. In particular, these positions offer the opportunity of working within a prominent genomic medicine institute in close partnership with a leading pharmaceutical company, allowing candidates to participate in the full spectrum of precision medicine from target discovery and validation through to drug development.

Incumbents will be jointly supervised by several faculty in the Institute and will be employees of Columbia University and eligible for Columbia University programs and benefits while simultaneously benefitting from the IGM's alliance with AstraZeneca.

Minimum Qualifications:

-A Ph.D. or equivalent qualification in a quantitative field such as Genetics, Statistics/Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science or other relevant discipline.

-A strong quantitative research background, statistical and programming proficiency, strong genetic knowledge.

-A demonstrated interest in using genetics to understand complex disease, leading to the discovery of new medicines.

-Extensive experience in scientific programming languages, such as Python and R.

-Proven communications skills, including writing of manuscripts and oral presentations.

-High capability to work in high performing teams.

Preferred Qualifications:

-Practical experience of working with large-scale genetic data sets and producing high quality publications.

Required Documents:

-CV

-Names and contact information for 3 references.

Optional Documents:

-Cover letter

-Writing Sample/Publication

Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Pay Transparency Disclosure

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training.  The above hiring range represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

About Columbia University

Columbia University is one of the world's most important centers of research and at the same time a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students in many scholarly and professional fields. The University recognizes the importance of its location in New York City and seeks to link its research and teaching to the vast resources of a great metropolis. It seeks to attract a diverse and international faculty and student body, to support research and teaching on global issues, and to create academic relationships with many countries and regions. It expects all areas of the university to advance knowledge and learning at the highest level and to convey the products of its efforts to the world.

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