Associate Computational Biologist Jobs in Washington

A Post-Doctoral Research Fellow position is available in the Amundadottir Lab at the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, the National Cancer Institute, the NIH. The core focus of our lab is to interrogate the mechanisms by which inherited risk variants predispose individuals to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). With the results of a new GWAS study in hand (from 38,000 PDAC patients and over 2 million control subjects) we are embarking on large scale genomic screens to study the underlying biology of risk in the presence of inflammatory signals that mimic known PDAC risk factors (e.g., pancreatitis, obesity, T2D and smoking).

The Amundadottir lab is seeking a highly qualified and motivated Post-Doctoral Fellow to study inherited risk loci from ongoing gene mapping projects (GWAS, TWAS etc). The applicant will utilize primary pancreatic cell populations from organ donors as well as induced pancreatic organoid cultures (iPSC-derived) as well as both large scale (across all risk signals) and focused (at specific loci) genomic screens to identify target genes and mechanisms by which inherited variation influences PDAC risk.

This position provides the opportunity to work collaboratively with other NCI research groups focusing on exocrine pancreatic gene regulatory networks, the use of genomic approaches in primary human pancreatic organoid cultures, and statistical genetics approaches.

Prior experience with large-scale genomics screens, primary cell models, high-throughput, sequencing technologies, and computational analyses is helpful but not required. Curiosity, creativity, scientific independence, rigor, and enthusiasm are more important.

Candidates should have (or expect to receive), a Ph.D. or an M.D./Ph.D. with less than 5 years of experience in an academic or industry setting. Strong communication skills, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively are essential.

The Amundadottir Lab is committed to mentorship and career development. Postdoctoral associates will receive support in developing an independent research vision, publishing impactful work, applying for fellowships and grants, presenting at conferences, mentoring trainees, and preparing for future careers in academia, industry, or related fields.

Current Research Areas

• Identifying germline variants that influence PDAC risk
• Defining gene regulatory mechanisms and pathways underlying PDAC risk signals
• Characterizing molecular QTLs (eQTLs, sQTLs, meQTLs, and caQTLs) in primary purified exocrine pancreatic cell populations and organoids
• Defining genetic regulation of master regulators, including transcription factors and other key gene regulatory proteins
• Developing and applying primary human pancreatic organoid and iPSC models to investigate mechanisms of inherited PDAC risk
• Defining how cellular stress and inflammatory signaling influence the effects of inherited PDAC risk variants

Experimental Approaches

• Functional genomic screens at inherited risk signals for PDAC
• Massively Parallel Reporter Assays (MPRA) – genome wide and focused at specific risk loci
• CRISPR/Cas9 perturbation screens - both genome wide and focused on specific risk signals
• CRISPR/Cas9 editing of candidate functional risk variants
• Primary pancreatic organoid cultures and their genetic manipulation
• Human iPSC differentiation and genetic manipulation
• Inducible gene expression and knockdown systems
• Proteomics and functional assessment of coding and noncoding variants (i.e., oligo pulldown – proteomics) from GWAS and other gene mapping approaches.

For interested applicants, please send: 1) A Curriculum Vitae (CV), 2) bibliography, and 3) a cover letter with a description of research experience and interests, to Laufey Amundadottir at amundadottirl@nih.gov

Laufey Amundadottir PI page: https://dceg.cancer.gov/about/staff-directory/amundadottir-laufey

Amundadottor lab page: https://dceg.cancer.gov/about/organization/tdrp/ltg/amundadottir-lab