Job Details

Postdoctoral Scholar

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) seeks to hire a Postdoctoral Scholar with expertise in genomics and bioinformatics. The Postdoctoral Scholar will join a team of collaborators investigating the roles of gene duplication and introgression in how wild rodent herbivores metabolize toxins in their native plant diets. The Postdoctoral Scholar will lead all aspects of targeted and genome-scale sequencing, assembly and annotation, as well as downstream analyses to quantify copy number variation, genome-wide selection and patterns of copy number evolution, interspecific hybridization, and introgression.

The Postdoctoral Scholar should have excellent bioinformatics skills for processing and analysis of large genomic datasets as well as knowledge of various population genomic and phylogenomic analyses, especially those related to identifying patterns of selection as well as detecting hybridization and introgression. The successful candidate would also ideally have molecular bench skills associated with RNA/DNA extraction, library preparation, and the ability to troubleshoot and refine protocols. This individual should be highly self-driven, have excellent data management skills, excellent verbal and written communication skills, and be able to work with a collaborative team that spans ecologists, chemists, molecular biologists, and bioinformaticians.

The Postdoctoral Scholar's research in genomics and bioinformatics will be supported by a collaborative team of mentors including Drs. M. Matocq (UNR), M. Holding (Univ. Michigan), K. Everson (Oregon State Univ.), D. Schield (Univ. Virginia), and J. Dumbacher and J. Henderson (Calif. Acad. Sci.). The position has the potential to be renewed for a second year, based on performance. Start date is negotiable, but the position is available immediately.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biology, Bioinformatics, Genomics, Population Genetics, Evolutionary Biology, Molecular Biology or closely related field by the time of appointment.
• The doctoral degree must have been completed within the five years immediately preceding the first date of appointment as a postdoctoral fellow at the University.
• The individual cannot have held previous positions in the professional ranks.

Preferred Qualifications

• A strong publication record
• Experience in genome assembly and annotation
• Experience working on computer clusters and handling large datasets
• Laboratory skills including DNA/RNA extraction and library preparation
• Demonstrated advanced bioinformatics skills, including programming skills in Python and R, and proficiency in working with the linux/unix command line environment
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to work independently and in a group

Compensation Grade: Postdoctoral Scholar

Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.

The University of Nevada, Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples' professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada.

For more information on the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Science visit and for the Program in Ecology, Evolution and Conservation Biology visit

Dr. Marjorie Matocq, ...@unr.edu