Position Description
Area: Medical Genetics/Genomics/C.elegans
Duration: One year with possibility of extension
Start Date: Negotiable
Salary: Negotiable plus Plan C Extended Benefits
The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology in the Cuming School of Medicine at the University of Calgary is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Scholar focused on understanding genomic causes that render essential genes non-essential using a model organism, C. elegans.
Job Description:
The available position is part of the multidisciplinary research program in the Tarailo-Graovac group which combines Caenorhabditis elegans genomics, bioinformatics and traditional molecular genetics approaches to understand which variation in a DNA manifests as a disease/lethality, and genome context (ie. genetic modifiers) that render essential genes non-essential. We utilize C. elegans model organism and its strains isolated across the Globe, whole genome sequencing, transcriptome sequencing and CRISPR/Cas9 knock-out and knock-in methods to better understand the plasticity of essentiality.
We are looking for a creative and highly motivated research scholar with strong interest in deciphering complex genetic interaction networks and genetic modifiers of essential genes in different genetic backgrounds. The ideal candidate will have expertise in C. elegans molecular techniques, interest in genetic modifier networks, and passion for translational genomics.
Work Performed:
- Keeping up-to-date with scientific advances (e.g. relevant literature review, scientific meetings)
- Designing projects and experiments
- Utilizing CRISPR/Cas9 procedures in C. elegans to assess DNA changes in essential genes in various genetic backgrounds
- Compiling, analyzing and interpreting diverse sets of data (e.g. phenomics, genomics, transcriptomics)
- Writing study reports, manuscripts
- Communicating results: conference presentations, collaborators nationally and internationally
- Validating bioinformatics discoveries experimentally
- Providing supervision and mentorship to graduate and undergraduate students
- Reporting to Dr. Tarailo-Graovac and the team on the progress during regular individual and lab meetings
Qualifications:
- PhD, with 2 years or less of post-PhD research
- Demonstrated excellence (e.g. peer reviewed publications, resources)
- Knowledge/interest in model organisms, C. elegans in particular
- Extensive knowledge of genetics
- Experience working with animal models of disease
- Experience in molecular genetics
- The candidate is expected to show:
- Drive and enthusiasm to both lead and work as a member of a team
- Creativity, initiative and good judgment for multi-tasking in a deadline oriented environment
- Effective oral and written communication, analytical, and interpersonal skills
- Excellent organizational skills and ability to learn new skills quickly
- Enthusiasm for highly interdisciplinary research and drive to explore emerging techniques
- Accuracy and attention to detail
*Please review the Postdoc Eligibility Guidelines for more information prior to applying for this position.
Application Details:
Interested applicants should submit a cover letter with research interests, statement on their future goals, and fit with the group’s research focus, curriculum vitae, and the names of three referees willing to provide letters of reference to Dr. Maja Tarailo-Graovac at maja.tarailograovac@ucalgary.ca. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The position will be open until suitable candidate is identified.
Additional Information
To learn more about postdoctoral scholar opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Postdoc Careers website. For more information about the Cumming School of Medicine visit Careers in the Cumming School of Medicine.
The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
About the University of Calgary
The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.
To succeed as one of Canada’s top universities, where new ideas are created, tested and applied through first-class teaching and research, the University of Calgary needs more of the best minds in our classrooms and labs. We’re increasing our scholarly capacity by investing in people who want to change the world, bringing the best and brightest to Calgary to form a global intellectual hub and achieve advances that matter to everyone. For more information visit research.ucalgary.ca/postdocs.
About Calgary, Alberta
Calgary is one of the world’s cleanest cities and has been named one of the world’s most livable cities for years. Calgary is a city of leaders – in business, community, philanthropy and volunteerism. Calgarians benefit from the strongest economy in the nation and enjoy more days of sunshine per year than any other major Canadian city. Calgary is less than an hour’s drive from the Rocky Mountains and boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America.
The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.
As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).