Postdoctoral Positions in Computational Biology and Evolution in the Champer Lab at Peking University Center for Life Sciences

Multiple postdoctoral positions are available in the Champer lab at Peking University in the School of Life Sciences and the joint Center for Life Sciences. Jackson Champer is scheduled to open the lab in early 2021.

Lab Overview

The main initial topic of the lab will be CRISPR gene drive. This type of allele can bias inheritance in its favor, potentially allowing it to spread throughout a population. There are many possible applications, such as spreading genes in mosquitoes that prevent transmission of malaria, dengue, and other diseases that kill hundreds of thousands of people every year. Gene drive can even be used for conservation purposes, such as suppression of invasive species.

The laboratory will involve experimental and computational research. Initial goals will be:

1. To develop new types of gene drives using the fruit fly as a model organism.
2. To develop highly efficient gene drives that avoid “resistance” in mosquitoes.
3. To use computational modeling to assess how well gene drives will actually perform in real-world environments.

The computational biology postdoc will work on this third goal. Additional projects may become available regarding spatial questions in disease dynamics, ecology, evolution, and behavior.

The general lab philosophy is to provide a friendly and supportive environment to help individuals be productive and achieve their career goals.

Application Requirements

Applicants should have a Ph.D. in biology, computer science, or any other scientific or quantitative field.

Applicants should have a solid background in at least one programming language, such as python, R, or C++, and preferably experience in population modeling with simulations.

Applicants should have adequate English skills.

Application Instructions

To apply for a position, please send your CV/resume and a cover letter to Jackson Champer (jc3248@cornell.edu). Applicants with fellowships should mention this in their cover letter.

Optionally, applicants may send a short project proposal (which may be particularly important if applicants do not have experience in any of the stated areas above).

Applicants will be considered on a rolling basis.

Additional Information

Questions about the lab and the positions are welcome (jc3248@cornell.edu). For additional information, including the PI’s CV, published papers, previous students, and experimental positions see:
https://champerlab.weebly.com

Here is an example from the PI’s recent computational work.
Computational paper: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/769810v1