2 Postdoctoral Researchers in Structural Phylogeneticsaff

Introduction

UNIL is a leading international teaching and research institution, with over 5,000 employees and 17,000 students split between its Dorigny campus, CHUV and Epalinges. As an employer, UNIL encourages excellence, individual recognition and responsibility.

Presentation

We are looking for 2 highly motivated individuals to join the team of Christophe Dessimoz, and collaborate directly with Natasha Glover, as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Comparative Genomics ( https://comparative-genomics.ch ). These positions provide an exceptional opportunity to work at the forefront of structural phylogenetics and computational biology, focusing on leveraging protein structures for evolutionary analysis. Successful candidates will have the opportunity to participate in several ongoing collaborations on elucidating the evolutionary history and functional innovation of key protein families.

The positions are full-time, with compensation at the Premiers Assistants level (www.unil.ch/files/live/sites/srh/files/03_Infos_administratives/2023/Assistant_doctorant_2023.pdf). You will join the University of Lausanne and have also an affiliation with the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB).

Job information

The ideal candidates will have a strong background in computational biology, structural biology, and/or evolutionary biology, with a demonstrated track record of original contributions. They will be expected to lead innovative research projects and collaborate within interdisciplinary teams. Additionally, the position includes opportunities to contribute to teaching activities and participate in applications of cutting-edge methods with industrial partners, thus providing the opportunity to the successful candidate(s) to acquire valuable transferrable skills. 

Expected start date in position: 01/05/2025 or to be agreed

Contract length: 1 year

Activity rate: 100%

Workplace: Unil-Sorge, Lausanne

Your responsibilities

• Develop and refine algorithms for structure-based phylogenetic tree reconstruction, building on recent advances from the FoldTree project.


• Design and implement computational methods to model evolutionary processes across protein structures, integrating local structural alphabets to enhance phylogenetic inference.


• Apply structure-informed approaches to explore long evolutionary timescales and tackle challenges like homoplasy and convergent evolution.


• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, contributing to experimental validation efforts and bridging computational predictions with biological insights.


• Publish research in leading journals and present findings at international conferences.

Your qualifications

• Ph.D. in Computational Biology, Structural Biology, Evolutionary Biology, or a related discipline.


• Proven expertise in protein structure modeling and/or phylogenetic methods, supported by a strong publication record.


• Advanced programming skills (e.g., Python, R, C++) and familiarity with bioinformatics tools.


• Experience with machine learning or AI-driven approaches for structural modeling is a strong plus.


• Effective communication and teamwork skills, with a collaborative mindset.

What the position offers you

• The postdoctoral researcher will join a vibrant and collaborative research environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities, computational resources, and genomic/transcriptomic data.


• The position offers competitive salary and benefits commensurate with experience.


• Opportunities for professional development, including mentorship, conference attendance, and career advancement guidance.


• Opportunities to collaborate with partners in the agricultural industry. 


• Beautiful view of the mountains and only a 5 minutes walk from the University of Lausanne to the lake.

Application instructions

Interested candidates should submit the following documents:

1. A detailed CV highlighting research experience, publications, and relevant skills.


2. A cover letter outlining research interests, accomplishments, and how they align with comparative genomics.


3. Contact information of three references who can provide letters of recommendation.

To be considered, application documents must be uploaded online through the University of Lausanne recruitment platform. For further information concerning your application you can send an email to E-Mail schreiben  Please include "Postdoctoral Researcher in Structural Phylogenetics Application" in the email subject line.

Application Deadline: December 30, 2024

We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and are committed to promoting an inclusive and equitable research environment.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Additional information

UNIL is committed to:
•    equality, diversity and inclusion within its community;
•    ensuring an open and respectful environment that is conducive to personal development;
•    offering working conditions that facilitate work-life balance;
•    supporting early career researchers.

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