Postdoctoral Research Associate / Bioinformatics Analyst

Position Summary

Dr. Monika Waszczuk (Department of Psychology, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science) is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Fellow / Bioinformatics Analyst to work on a variety of ongoing research projects that explore the role of genetic vulnerability in PTSD, depression, and other mental health problems.

The post holder will use advanced statistical approaches to assist in analyzing genetically-informed, longitudinal, and electronic medical record datasets. The primary project consists of federally-funded studies of responders to the World Trade Center disaster - a large, deeply-phenotyped clinical cohort with genetic, proteomic, inflammatory, and RNAseq data available. Additional research opportunities include genetically-informed studies of psychiatric nosology and mental health in developmental samples.

The position would be a good fit for an energetic scientist wishing to accelerate their research outputs by focusing primarily on data analysis, manuscript publications, and grant applications. Mentoring and support in these actives will be provided. Research projects will be conducted in collaboration with partners at Stony Brook University.

The full-time 1-year post, with a possible extension to two years, is based in North Chicago and can start as soon as possible. Salary and benefits follow NSF/NIH guidelines. Candidates should submit a CV and a cover letter/research statement. Please contact Dr. Waszczuk for more details (Email: ).

Applicants are welcomed to reach out if they are unsure whether they meet all qualification criteria, or if they have skills in only some of these disciplines, but feel that they can easily learn the others. We take a holistic view of each applicant. People of color, LGBTQ individuals, and members of other minoritized and underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Who We Are

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, a national leader in interprofessional biomedical and healthcare education, consists of five schools, including the Chicago Medical School and the College of Health Professions, that together enroll over 2,000 graduate students. The University is situated on an attractive 85-acre campus in North Chicago, Illinois, approximately 40 miles north of the city of Chicago and 50 miles south of Milwaukee, benefiting from active collaborations with hospitals and academic institutions in both cities. The University houses a number of Research Centers, including the Brain Science Institute, the Center for Proteomics and Molecular Therapeutics, and the Center for Genetic Diseases. In 2020, the University opened its Innovation and Research Park, an environment consisting of laboratory and office spaces for collaboration among academic and industry scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Overall, research is a key component of the University's commitment to education and health.

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science offers equal employment opportunities to all persons without regard to race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, parental status, housing status, genetic information, source of income or military status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local EEO laws.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Management and statistical analysis of existing longitudinal, clinical, and genetically-informed datasets
• Preparation of manuscripts for publication
• Research dissemination
• Grant writing

Required Education and Experience

• Postdoctoral Research Fellow: PhD or an equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field such as Psychology, Mental Health, Genetics, Biomarkers, Biostatistics, or Bioinformatics
• Bioinformatics Analyst: Bachelor's degree in Genetics, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Computational Biology, Computer Science, or a related field.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong background in statistical methods and data analysis using R, MPlus, or similar software packages
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Must achieve satisfactory results from a background check
• Must have proof of COVID19 vaccination with booster or a university approved exemption

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in the research fields of human genetics, biomarkers, or immunology
• Track record of publications
• Programming and bioinformatics experience would be helpful

Typical Physical Demands & Working Conditions

• Selected candidate must have the mental and physical capabilities to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodations.

EOE, including Disability / Vets