Postdoctoral Scholar - Bioinformatician for Tree Improvement

This position has an initial appointment of one year.

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

BFF-AFIRMS, (Best Future Forest: Advanced Forest Genomics and Integrative Resource Management System), is a transformative initiative aimed at digitalizing forest resource management and tree improvement in Alberta (AB), Canada (CA). This is a joint effort across the Government of Alberta (GoA), forest industry partners of Tree Improvement  Alberta (TIA), University of Alberta (UofA, CA), and Oklahoma State University (USA). The initiative seeks to integrate high-throughput genotyping, predictive analytics, and decision-making science to ensure responsible stewardship of forest genetic resources in the face of climate challenges, and the growing demand for sustainable forest ecosystems and products.

The Postdoctoral Scholar will join the BFF-AFIRMS project working with Drs. Barb Thomas (U of Alberta) and Charles Chen (Oklahoma State University) on bioinformatics, lodgepole pine genome assembly, and comparative and population genomics for conifer genomes. The Postdoctoral Scholar will apply extensive knowledge in this field to perform these complex research activities under the Principal Investigator's (PI) direction.

• Work on our computational effort to characterize the key adaptive elements across pine and spruce genomes, as well as evaluating the importance of selection signature of genomic variants.
• Collect and integrate publicly available genomic sequences, transcriptomics/omics data, QTL/GWAS variants, and genetic knowledge relevant to white spruce and lodgepole pine studies.
• Responsibilities also include: contributing to experimental design, method development and implementation, data analysis, and preparing manuscripts for publications.
• Collaborate with the BFF-AFIRMS project at the University of Alberta, to create and develop visualizations to display genomic knowledge, evaluate tree improvement decisions and selection strategies.
• Both Thomas and Chen's laboratories are highly collaborative, working seamlessly with expertise spanning Genetics and Tree Improvement, Genomics, and Statistical Genetics. Participation in interdisciplinary and collaborative research activities is expected.
• Maintain data integrity and ensure intellectual property protection, and actively participate in laboratory and project meetings.

• PhD Graduate degree in forest genomics, bioinformatics, comparative genomics, or related science and experience working on plant genome assemblies.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to access, community and belonging.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.

Application Instructions

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Applications will be reviewed on a weekly basis, and interviews will be conducted as qualified candidates are identified. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience.

This position has a comprehensive benefits package.

The terms and conditions of this appointment are governed by the Collective Agreement between the Board of Governors of the University of Alberta and the Postdoctoral Fellows Association of the University of Alberta.