Postdoctoral Research Assistant in Statistical Genomics

We invite applications for a Postdoctoral Research Assistant to join Pier Palamara’s research group at the University of Oxford. The position is funded by the Pioneer Centre for Statistical and Computational Methods for Advanced Research to Transform Biomedicine (SMARTbiomed), an international collaboration that integrates large-scale, multimodal biomedical data with advances in statistical and machine learning methods to improve the understanding, treatment and prevention of human disease.

The successful candidate will develop novel statistical and machine learning algorithms to address key challenges in human genomics, applying them to large-scale genomic datasets encompassing millions of sequenced individuals and high-dimensional health-related data. The project will build on the group’s recent work on large-scale analysis of complex traits, including Bayesian machine learning and linear mixed model approaches for trait prediction and association in high-dimensional genomic datasets, as well as methods for inferring genealogical structures such as ancestral recombination graphs (ARGs) and leveraging them to study heritable traits and human evolution.

Applicants should hold a be near completion of a PhD/DPhil or equivalent in a quantitative discipline such as computer science, statistics, machine learning, statistical or population genetics, or a related field. They should have experience in developing and applying novel statistical methods to large datasets and possess strong programming skills. The specific technical expertise required will depend on the direction of the project, which may involve developing methods for complex trait analysis, scalable Bayesian and deep learning approaches, or algorithms for inferring and analysing large-scale graph data structures. Experience in statistical and population genetics or related fields is highly desirable but not essential.

For further information about the position or about the project, please contact Professor Pier Palamara at palamara@stats.ox.ac.uk.

Only applications received before 12.00 noon UK time on 2 May 2025 can be considered. Interviews are anticipated to be held on 13 May 2025.

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