POSTDOC: Functional Genomics of malaria mosquitoes

An NIH-funded postdoctoral position is available immediately in the lab of Nora Besansky, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Notre Dame. The goal of the project is to uncover the genetic basis of a physiological trait-- saltwater tolerance-- in an African malaria vector mosquito, Anopheles merus. This primarily coastal species is sister to An. gambiae, an obligate freshwater breeder that is the main vector of malaria across most of tropical Africa.  The two morphologically indistinguishable species are very closely related, and can be crossed to produce viable and fertile F1 females.  Laboratory colonies of both species and insectary rearing facilities are available at Notre Dame; other tools include completely sequenced genomes (for An. gambiae, since 2002; for An. merus, later this year). Genetic analysis of saltwater tolerance will involve two experimental approaches: QTL mapping based on next generation sequencing, and comparative transcriptomics based on RN
 ASeq. As such, the project will involve the collection and analysis of large next-generation sequencing datasets. The successful candidate will work with Dr. Besansky in collaboration with Dr. Romero-Severson at Notre Dame, and Dr. Peter Andolfatto at Princeton. The Besansky lab has other ecological and evolutionary genomics projects ongoing in An. gambiae; for more information, please see:

http://nd.edu/~nbesansk/
http://biology.nd.edu/people/faculty/besansky/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=3Dbesansky%20n

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE/SKILLS: REQUIRED: Ph.D. in biology, computer science, or related field.  Strong motivation, good laboratory and analytical skills, demonstrated track record of writing and publicaton. PREFERRED: Experience in population genetics, statistical genetics, bioinformatics. Laboratory experience with molecular methods (DNA/RNA).  Programming skills, familiarity with R, and experience with NGS data.

HOW TO APPLY: Applicants should submit a single PDF file containing a brief cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information for two references, to nbesansk@nd.edu. Screening of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

TERM OF APPOINTMENT: The initial term is set for one year but is renewable for another year, with the possibility of renewal for additional years.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:  The Department of Biological Sciences is the center for research and teaching in the life sciences at the University of Notre Dame.  Housed mainly in the Galvin Life Sciences Building, the department is home to some 50 research and/or teaching faculty, 120 graduate students, 30 postdoctoral fellows, 300 undergraduate majors, and 75 technical and administrative staff.  This vibrant research and teaching community continues to expand its faculty, both within the Department and with new associated faculty in the nearby Indiana University School of Medicine - South Bend, and in other departments in the College of Science and the College of Engineering. New centers in our building enhance our intellectual mission, and include the Eck Institute for Global Health, Center for Rare and Neglected Diseases, Environmental Change Initiative and Center for Aquatic Conservation, Center for Zebrafish Research, and the Notre Dame Integrated Imaging Facility.  We also
 house a Genomics Core and the Freimann Animal Facility and support an outstanding field station, the University of Notre Dame Environmental Research Center - a NSF NEON site. Other available resources on campus include the Harper Cancer Research Institute, Keck Center for Transgene Research, Center for the Study of Biocomplexity, as well as Proteomics Cores and high-performance computing resources. Information on department and other college faculty and facilities can be found at http://biology.nd.edu and http://science.nd.edu.

The University of Notre Dame is located on the northern limits of South Bend, Indiana (90 miles east of Chicago). The University of Notre Dame is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.

Nora J. Besansky, PhD
Rev. John Cardinal O'Hara, C.S.C. Professor of Biological Sciences
Eck Institute for Global Health
Department of Biological Sciences
317 Galvin Life Sciences Bldg
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN 46556-0369
Tel: 574-631-9321
Fax: 574-631-3996
nbesansk@nd.edu