Post-doc Opportunities in Evolution and Cancer

• Postdoc/Staff Scientist in High Throughput Sequencing of Diversity in Cancer
• The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University and the Center for Evolution and Cancer is searching for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to perform analysis of high throughput sequencing data on multi-region samples to measure genetic diversity within breast cancers, AML, and potentially other types of cancer.  They will be responsible for setting up and maintaining a state-of-the art pipeline for high throughput sequencing data, as well as the development of new algorithms to mine that data.
   
  The Center for Evolution and Cancer was the first of its kind to apply evolutionary biology to cancer biology both at the cell level, studying the evolutionary dynamics of carcinogenesis and therapeutic resistance, and at the organismal level, studying the evolution of cancer suppression in whales, elephants and other species. Scholars will be part of a highly interdisciplinary research team led by Dr. Carlo Maley and also be part of a larger community of interdisciplinary researchers at Arizona State University in the Center for Evolution and Medicine and the Centre for Evolution and Cancer at the Institute for Cancer Research in London, bringing together evolutionary biologists, ecologists, computational biologists, mathematical modelers, cancer biologists and oncologists to make fundamental discoveries in understanding cancer and improving cancer prevention and management.
   
  Interactions among faculty, Postdocs and students across the Institute and the University are central to a variety of ongoing research and educational programs. These interactions allow our Postdoctoral Research Associates to develop their expertise in research and build towards an independent research program. Faculty, Postdocs and students are actively involved with a number of other centers, institutes, and research groups on campus that promote transdisciplinary approaches to issues of local and national significance, affording outstanding research and training experiences that extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. The Biodesign Institute is a research hub that makes an important contribution to the advancement of ASU as a leader of knowledge generation and utilization.
  
  Qualifications:
  Ph.D. in computational biology, bioinformatics, systems biology, biostatistics, or related field. The ideal candidate would have expertise in both evolutionary biology and high throughput sequence analysis of neoplasms. Background in single cell sequencing and/or the human microbiota would be favored. Relevant publications in high quality peer review journals is desired.
  To apply, please submit to maley@asu.edu as a single pdf document the following materials: 1) a cover letter specifying relevant qualifications and training, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statement of current research interests and expertise (2 page maximum), 4) two letters of reference, and 5) one peer-reviewed publication. Please include “Application for Postdoc- Sequencing” in the email subject line. Initial review of applications will begin on February 1, 2015; if not filled, review will continue every week thereafter until the search is closed. A background check is required for employment.
  Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 80,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.
   
  Arizona State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
  
• Postdoc in Phylogenetic Methods for Cancers
• The Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University and the Center for Evolution and Cancer is searching for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to help develop methods to reconstruct the phylogenies of cell lineages from within neoplasms. This will require the development of new likelihood models and the integration of multi-modal data (e.g., point mutations and chromosomal alterations). Initial data will derive from SNP arrays and exome sequencing of Barrett’s esophagus tissue samples. We will also work on developing methods to extract regularities across forests of phylogenetic trees from tumors.
   
  The Center for Evolution and Cancer was the first of its kind to apply evolutionary biology to cancer biology both at the cell level, studying the evolutionary dynamics of carcinogenesis and therapeutic resistance, and at the organismal level, studying the evolution of cancer suppression in whales, elephants and other species. Scholars will be part of a highly interdisciplinary research team led by Dr. Carlo Maley, will collaborate with Mary Kuhner in Joe Felsenstein’s lab, and also be part of a larger community of interdisciplinary researchers at Arizona State University in the Center for Evolution and Medicine and the Centre for Evolution and Cancer at the Institute for Cancer Research in London, bringing together evolutionary biologists, ecologists, computational biologists, mathematical modelers, cancer biologists and oncologists to make fundamental discoveries in understanding cancer and improving cancer prevention and management.
   
  Interactions among faculty, Postdocs and students across the Institute and the University are central to a variety of ongoing research and educational programs. These interactions allow our Postdoctoral Research Associates to develop their expertise in research and build towards an independent research program. Faculty, Postdocs and students are actively involved with a number of other centers, institutes, and research groups on campus that promote transdisciplinary approaches to issues of local and national significance, affording outstanding research and training experiences that extend beyond traditional disciplinary boundaries. The Biodesign Institute is a research hub that makes an important contribution to the advancement of ASU as a leader of knowledge generation and utilization.
  
  Qualifications:
  Ph.D. in evolutionary biology, computational biology, bioinformatics, biostatistics, or related field. Experience in developing phylogenetic methods is required. Experience with the BEAST software package is preferable but not required. Relevant publications in high quality peer review journals is desired.
  To apply, please submit to maley@asu.edu as a single pdf document the following materials: 1) a cover letter specifying relevant qualifications and training, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) statement of current research interests and expertise (2 page maximum), 4) two letters of reference, and 5) one peer-reviewed publication. Please include “Application for Postdoc- Phylogeneticist” in the email subject line. Initial review of applications will begin on February 1, 2015; if not filled, review will continue every week thereafter until the search is closed. A background check is required for employment.
  Arizona State University is a new model for American higher education, an unprecedented combination of academic excellence, entrepreneurial energy and broad access. This New American University is a single, unified institution comprising four differentiated campuses positively impacting the economic, social, cultural and environmental health of the communities it serves. Its research is inspired by real world application blurring the boundaries that traditionally separate academic disciplines. ASU serves more than 80,000 students in metropolitan Phoenix, Arizona, the nation's fifth largest city. ASU champions intellectual and cultural diversity, and welcomes students from all fifty states and more than one hundred nations across the globe.
   
  Arizona State University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
  
  
• Postdoctoral Fellowship at Arizona State University:
  
• The Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science (http://beyond.asu.edu) at Arizona State University invites applications for a postdoctoral research position in origin of life research, specifically focusing on the physics governing the transition from nonliving to living matter, to start in Fall 2013. Ideal candidates will have a background in computational modeling of complex systems, information theory, and/or dynamical systems. Members of the group include Paul Davies and Sara Imari Walker. Applicants should send a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and a statement of research interests, and should arrange to have 3 letters of recommendation sent to Jeanette Perez at perezjr@asu.edu by July 15th, 2013 for full consideration. Application materials in pdf format are preferred. Further enquiries should be emailed directly to Sara Imari Walker (sara.i.walker@asu.edu) or Paul Davies (paul.davies@asu.edu). A background check is required for employment. Arizona State University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
   
  
• Postdoc to study the evolution and genomics of Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease, a unique transmissible cancer
  

• Life History Theory Post-doctoral Fellowship at the Center for Evolution and Cancer

1. Life history evolution of somatic cells during neoplastic progression,
2. Life history evolution of cancer cells during therapy and evolution of resistance
3. Organism-level life history tradeoffs affecting cancer susceptibility

• Postdoctoral position, Université Montpellier II, France

• Postdoctoral position in cancer bioinformatics at Yale

• Postdoctoral researcher - Evolutionary models of cancer progression and therapies – Université Montpellier II, France
  

• Postdoctoral Fellow – The physics of living systems
  

We are looking for a highly motivated individual to work with Robert Gatenby, MD, in the Integrative Mathematical Oncology (IMO) Department at Moffitt Cancer Center.   This position is funded by a 2 year grant titled “The physics of living systems”, and the chosen candidate will also work closely with B. Roy Frieden, PhD, at the University of Arizona in an ongoing project to define first principles of living systems using non-equilibrium thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and information theory. An extension of this work examines the role of accumulating mutations and loss of mitochondrial energy production to induce a cellular phase transition leading to cancer.  We seek a talented, creative individual with a Doctorate degree in mathematics or the physical sciences and strong background in biology (or vice-versa). 

The successful candidate will have demonstrated creativity, high motivation, good communication skills and experience in developing/writing publications. They should possess the ability to work independently and within the research group. A solid understanding of biology and a desire to work closely with experimentalists and clinicians is also necessary.

The IMO combines mathematicians, computer scientists, and imaging specialists with clinical and experimental oncologists focused on developing novel approaches for the treatment and understanding of cancer. This unique research environment includes state of the art computational facilities and access to experimental and clinical data.

Moffitt Cancer Center is an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center on the University of South Florida Campus. Moffitt is the third largest clinical cancer center in the US and conducts extensive research on various aspects of Cancer Biology with emphasis on translational research.  The Research environment includes state of the art core facilities and pathogen-free animal facilities, and access to clinical material.

Please visit www.moffitt.org/careers to apply to Req ID 9075 and attach a CV to the application.

Posted June 19, 2012

• Evolutionary Genetics of Glioblastoma Multiformae

 The Center for Computational Neuroscience at NeuroTexas Institute at St. David’s HealthCare seeks a highly motivated individual to study the evolutionary genetics and genomics of glioblastoma multiformae (GBM).  Of particular interest, is the development of evolutionary-genomic models suitable for studying the genetic variation in GBM or the dynamics of mutations within growing tumors.  Also of interest is the development of bioinformatic approaches for studying the variation observed in DNA/RNA sequence data obtained from GBM tumors.
 
NeuroTexas Institute (NTI) is a highly multidisciplinary clinical, research and educational institute affiliated with St. David’s HealthCare in Austin, TX.  The Institute enjoys an open and highly productive relationship with the adjacent University of Texas at Austin.  NTI leads the Austin Brain Tumor Repository, which collects GBM specimens from our patients in a manner suitable for genomics projects.
 
The two-year position is available immediately. Candidates must have completed their PhDs in computational biology, computer science, mathematics or physics, and have at least three years of post-doctoral research experience.  Ideal candidates will be familiar with evolutionary theory and modeling, DNA/RNA next-generation sequence analysis and bioinformatics, and systems biological approaches.  Previous knowledge and experience with cancer genomics and modeling is an additional plus.
 
Please submit a letter of intent, curriculum vitae and the names and addresses of two references to:
 
Dr.  Matthew C. Cowperthwaite
Center for Computational Neuroscience
NeuroTexas Institute at St. David’s HealthCare
1015 East 32nd Street, Suite 404
Austin, Texas 78705
E-mail: matthew.cowperthwaite@stdavids.com

Posted on June167h, 2012