Research Scientist, Bioinformatics

We are seeking a Research Scientist in Bioinformatics to join our fast-paced ~20-person interdisciplinary laboratory team. The research agenda includes development of scientific knowledge and technologies to impact human health, in particular in areas of emerging human pathogens, human host-microbe interactions, and human immune response to infection. The candidate will work with the PI to execute the laboratory's ambitious research agenda. The position will support the PI, students, and postdoctoral researchers via several avenues: bioinformatics and computational tools, assistance with research projects, acquisition of research funding, and personnel recruitment and training. The successful candidate will have a strong drive to advance the frontiers of knowledge, to develop new technologies through rigorous science, to have significant impact on human health, and to guide and mentor the next generation of researchers. Please see the full position description and instructions for applying on Taleo.

POST-DOCS

Microbiome Post-docs for Celiac Disease Study at Caltech

We are seeking two talented, motivated individuals to join a collaborative project looking at the role of the microbiome in celiac disease. The multi-institute project aims to test the hypothesis that celiac disease is a heterogeneous disorder, while attempting to define interactions between intestinal epithelial cells, the gut microbiota, immune system, and genetics that underlie differences in clinical presentation, severity of tissue destruction, and the ability to heal. The integration of different layers of molecular (scRNA-seq, genomic), immunological, metabolomics and microbiome data (where host transcriptional and microbial signatures are obtained on the same intestinal biopsy) from clinically well-characterized patients will provide us the unique opportunity to address questions that would not be possible otherwise.

Please see the NIH RePORTER listing for details. The successful post-doc candidates will work in the Ismagilov Lab at the California Institute of Technology to improve understanding of how the mucosal microbiota of the small intestine may drive variation in the clinical phenotype of celiac disease in humans, notably disease severity and healing.

Skills required: Strong microbiology and bioinformatics training; creativity; rigorous scientific training in design and interpretation of research; experience performing amplicon and metagenomic shotgun sequencing and analysis; strong record of prior research accomplishments. Candidates eligible for independent postdoctoral fellowships are encouraged to apply.

Hiring Range: $64,480 per year. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, qualifications, skills, education, specialty, training, and internal equity. As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more.

Candidates should send their CV and a brief statement of their qualifications and research aspirations to rustem.admin@caltech.edu.

Postdoc to work on "Biophysics of the Gut" projects

The Ismagilov Lab at the California Institute of Technology is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to work on projects in the area of "biophysics of the gut." These collaborative projects aim to study the biophysical mechanisms by which polymers (e.g., dietary fibers) impact gut physiology and the microbiome.   

For previous work in this research area, please see the following publications from our lab: [doi:10.1039/C9SM00791A], [doi:10.1073/pnas.1602789113], [doi:10.7554/eLife.40387.001], [doi:10.1021/acs.biomac.9b00442].

Skills required: Creativity; rigorous scientific training in design and interpretation of research; strong record of prior research accomplishments. The ideal candidate will have both experimental and conceptual expertise in Soft Matter (e.g., colloids, polymers, and hydrogels). Experience in one or more of gut physiology, animal models, and microbiology would be ideal but is not required. Candidates eligible for independent postdoctoral fellowships are encouraged to apply.

Hiring Range: $64,480 per year. The salary of the finalist(s) selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, experience, qualifications, skills, education, specialty, training, and internal equity. As one of the largest employers in Pasadena, CA, Caltech is committed to providing comprehensive benefits to eligible employees and their eligible dependents. Our benefits package includes competitive compensation, health, dental, and vision insurance, retirement savings plans, generous paid time off, parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more.

Candidates should send their CV and a brief statement of their qualifications and research aspirations to rustem.admin@caltech.edu

GRADUATE APPLICANTS

Prospective graduate students who are interested in joining the lab need to apply for one of the degree options described on the Caltech Graduate Studies Office website. Applicants can find more information on degree options, including Chemical & Chemical Engineering, Bioengineering, Biophysics, Biology & Microbiology, Materials Science, and Applied Physics, here.

CALTECH GRAD-STUDENT ROTATIONS

We welcome inquiries from incoming Caltech graduate students interested in joining or doing rotations in the lab. Please contact rustem.admin@caltech.edu.

CALTECH UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH STUDENTS

Computational analyses of the human immune response to SARS-CoV-2

**We are seeking an undergraduate researcher to help with this project. Time commitment is 5-10 h/w starting in January 2024.**

Project description: How does the upper respiratory mucosa - the tissue lining of our nose, mouth and throat - respond to SARS-CoV-2 infection? We have performed bulk RNA sequencing on human clinical specimens collected during the Caltech COVID-19 Household Transmission Study, and are seeking an Undergraduate Research Assistant to help analyze this data to answer this question. The answer to this question may help design new diagnostics to detect viral infection earlier, or target interventions to better prevent people from becoming infected.

Preferred skills: Proficiency writing code in Python (including data visualization); Basic knowledge of biology (e.g. central dogma, gene expression, ontology, what is a single nucleotide polymorphism); Basic knowledge of immunology (e.g. adaptive vs. innate immunity, what does a dendritic cell do); Basic knowledge of analyses for high dimensional data (e.g. PCA); Passion for clinical/translational research; Motivated, inquisitive and independent.

See https://covid-study.caltech.edu/ for details about Caltech's COVID-19 study.

Please email tshelby@caltech.edu with your CV and a statement of interests to apply for this position. More information on this position can be found on the Caltech Symplicity website.

GENERAL INQUIRIES

We also welcome general inquiries from current Caltech freshman, sophomore, and junior students who are interested in the work being done in our lab. Students should have the desire and ability to make a substantial time commitment to a project. Please send your CV and a detailed statement of research interests to rustem.admin@caltech.edu.

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Caltech is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Caltech is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. For more information about "EEO is the Law," click here: EEO IS THE LAW.