Summary: Postdoctoral Research position in Austin, Texas to work under the supervision of Dr. Elliot Tucker-Drob in the development and application of multivariate statistical methods in psychiatric genetics and sociogenomics. This work is currently funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health (R01AG054628) and the Jacobs Foundation. The position is available September, 2018 (earlier and later start dates are negotiable) and includes benefits. The position is for 2 years with the option for renewal.
Additional Information
Purpose of position: The key purpose of position is to develop cutting edge multivariate methods in statistical genetics for the analysis of psychiatric and psychosocial data. In particular, the position will include a focus on application and further development of Genomic Structural Equation Modeling (https://doi.org/10.1101/305029) a new method for the analysis of joint genetic architecture of multiple phenotypes. This work is funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health (United States) and the Jacobs Foundation (Switzerland). The position will be based in Austin, Texas at Dr. Elliot Tucker-Drob’s laboratory at the University of Texas, and will include collaborations with Michel Nivard (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), and Ian Deary, Simon Cox, and Mark Bastin (University of Edinburgh)
Essential functions: Postdoctoral researcher will work with Dr. Tucker-Drob and collaborators to develop and apply cutting edge multivariate methods in statistical genetics for the analysis of psychiatric and psychosocial data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of an extensive array of cognitive, social and psychiatric phenotypes. Postdoctoral researcher will analyze data, prepare high impact articles for publication in scientific journals, and present work at academic conferences. Postdoctoral researcher will additionally coordinate activities with research collaborators, including phone and in-person meetings.
Marginal/Incidental functions: Requires a high degree of autonomy and ability to develop tasks and manage time lines. Requires high level of independent judgment in prioritizing and conducting research, particularly the data analytic tasks necessary to complete project goals.
Required qualifications: PhD in genetics, statistics, computer science, psychology, neuroscience, epidemiology or a related field within the last four years; experiencing processing, managing, and analyzing large datasets; ability to work on a research team; strong written and oral communication skills. Must have a strong quantitative background and ability and enthusiasm to independently expand expertise in multivariate statistics and statistical computing. Expertise in one or more of the following areas: (i) genetics, (ii) differential psychology, (iii) quantitative methods.
Preferred qualifications: Experience with analysis of GWAS data. Experience conducting analyses and preparing scientific manuscripts as part of a research team. Knowledge in advanced quantitative methods and strong experience with statistical programming.
For further information, please contact Dr. Elliot Tucker-Drob by email (tuckerdrob@utexas.edu).