Postdoctoral Positions in Computational Systems Biology : Houston, TX, United States

A Postdoctoral Positions in Computational Systems Biology are available in the laboratory of Prof. Igoshin in the Dept of Bioengineering at Rice University. We are looking for motivated postdoctoral fellows to work on several projects in the group. Our group specializes in computational systems biology with emphasis in evolutionary design principles and the characterization of biochemical networks, pattern formation in bacterial biofilms, and genetic networks in bacterial and stem cell development. Current funding comes from both NIH and NSF. Two current projects available in the group are briefly described below however motivated postdoctoral fellows may be able to pick their own direction as long as its aligns with groups research interests. Please visithttp://igoshin.rice.edu/ or contact Prof. Igoshin for more information.
PROJECTS:
1) A key property of living cells is their ability to react to internal or external stimuli with specific biochemical responses. Bacteria have evolved to sense and rapidly adapt to environmental stimuli by changes in gene expression. Many molecular details of stress response networks regulating these responses have been uncovered for many model bacteria. However, we still lack network-level knowledge of these responses across species, which is necessary to obtain a deeper understanding of cellular functions and to best apply results obtained with model bacteria to bacterial species that are poorly characterized or cannot be cultured in a laboratory. In this project we are focusing on two of the common basic building blocks of bacterial stress-response network to explore how network organization affects the physiologically relevant dynamical properties.
2) In recent years the ubiquity of microbial communities in nature has become apparent: for instance, most bacteria related to human diseases are associated with biofilms. However, it is still not clear how individual cells self-organize in these communities and how community as a whole responds to environmental cues. This project aims to discover the mechanisms of self-organization in dynamic single-species biofilms (swarms). In these swarms, bacteria display collective surface motility, cooperatively sense the environment, execute collective developmental programs and often differentiate into distinct cell types performing specialized functions. This research focuses on developmental aggregation in biofilms formed by Myxococcus xanthus – an important model organism for studying microbial cooperation, development, and collective motility. Research will involve statistical image analysis/quantification, data analysis and agent-based modeling based on available biological data of our collaborators
QUALIFICATIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
PhD in science or engineering and research experience in computational biology is required for this position. Candidates with publications in the field of mathematical/computational biology related to systems biology modeling are strongly preferred. Previous experience in image analysis, bioinformatics and/or modeling bacterial networks is a plus. Strong interest in interdisciplinary collaboration and English proficiency are also expected. Some of the research will be conducted in tight collaboration with experimental colleagues and the main results are at least partially expected to be published in biological journals.

ABOUT RICE AND HOUSTON:
Rice is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s best teaching and research universities.
It is a member institution of the world largest Medical Center (TMC). Rice is committed to cutting edge interdisciplinary biological research. It is a home to Center of Theoretical Biological Physics (http://ctbp.rice.edu) and PhD Program in Systems, Synthetic and physical Biology (http://sspb.rice.edu). 
The Department of Bioengineering is consistently ranked among the nation’s top 10 bioengineering graduate programs. Rice is situated in the Museum district of Houston, TX – the fourth largest city in the US. 
CONDITIONS:
Rice University is committed to affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and offers competitive postdoctoral salary and benefits. The position is open from August 1, 2014 until filled. The initial appointment is for 1 year with possible continuation upon satisfactory performance. 
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Applicants should submit their CV and research statement letter justifying their interests in the group toigoshin@rice.edu…