We are seeking a scientist with training in comparative vertebrate anatomy to participate in the Phenoscapeinformatics initiative (https://phenoscape.org) to render morphological data computable and interoperable with genetic data. The successful candidate will: 1) lead data curation and ontology development for early living and extinct vertebrates (fishes) and amphibians as part of a team comprised of scientists and software developers, and 2) conduct large-scale, data driven evo-devo research on the store of phenotypic and genetic data in the knowledgebase (kb.phenoscape.org).
Job description:
This position presents a unique opportunity to pursue bioinformatic research relating to broad questions concerning the evolution of morphology in relation to linked developmental and genetic data. The postdoc will use state of the art tools for evolutionary biology to curate morphological from the literature on early vertebrates (fishes) and living and extinct amphibians,annotating anatomical features using ontologies, to populate a database that will be integrated with the existing databases of phenotypic and genetic data from model vertebrates (ZFIN, zebrafish; Xenbase, Xenopus; MGI, mouse).
Responsibilities center on contributing to a large and growing vertebrate phenotype knowledgebase (kb.phenoscape.org), including annotation of comparative fin/limb skeletal phenotypes and homologies from the scientific literature. The incumbent will work closely to coordinate efforts with the curators of fin-limb mutant phenotypes from the vertebrate model organism databases; participate in regular virtual meetings with a distributed project team; develop and document curation standards for comparative data and best practices for ensuring consistency across taxa; and collaborate with software developers in the design of curation workflow tools and interfaces, including tools for semi-automated extraction of comparative phenotype data from the literature. In addition, the incumbent will have ample opportunities to leverage the data in the knowledgebase, and associated tools for large-scale analysis of phenotype similarities, towards addressing his/her own research questions. The postdoc will supervise undergraduate workers in gathering/digitizing the literature and basic data entry; publish and give conference presentations on research results; and attend project meetings as required, including annualproject team meetings.
Starting date:
This two year postdoctoral position is available to be filled as early as January 2012.
Required qualifications:
· Ph.D. degree in biological sciences withexpertise in comparative vertebrate anatomy and evolution
· Ability to communicate well and work as part of a distributed research team
· Excellent English language skills
· Interest or experience in informatics methods
How to apply:
The postdoctoral fellow will work with Paula Mabee (University of South Dakota) and David Blackburn (California Academy of Sciences). The position will be based in South Dakota, with opportunities to travel to other sites for this project including the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center (NESCent), the University of Chicago, and theCalifornia Academy of Sciences.
Please contact Dr. Mabee (pmabee@usd.edu) with any questions about this position. Applications should be directed to Dr. Mabee and include a cover letter, CV, a brief statement detailing your research interests and career goals, and three letters of reference.
Project team:
This work is funded by a collaborative NSF grant to PIs Paula Mabee (University of South Dakota) andTodd Vision (University of North Carolina Chapel Hill) with co-PIs David Blackburn (California Academy of Sciences), Judith Blake (Mouse Genome Informatics, Jackson Laboratories), Hilmar Lapp (NESCent), Paul Sereno (University of Chicago), Monte Westerfield (University of Oregon, ZFIN), and Aaron Zorn (Cincinnati's Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Xenbase).
For more information about Phenoscape:
Please see https://phenoscape.org and http://kb.phenoscape.org/.
The University of South Dakota (http://www.usd.edu) is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty, staff and students.