Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Biology and Machine Learning

Position:
Postdoctoral Researcher (Computational Biology & Machine Learning)

The Chu Lab in the Department of Genome Sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine is seeking to fill Postdoctoral Researcher positions in computational biology and machine learning.

The lab develops modern machine learning, generative modeling, and statistical learning frameworks to decipher single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data, with the goal of uncovering cellular and tissue dynamics underlying cancer, inflammation, and tissue senescence.

• Develop neural differential equation and continuous-time dynamical models for spatial and single-cell transcriptomics to dissect cell-cell interactions and perturbation responses in complex tissue microenvironments.
• Build generative models of single-cell and spatial data to characterize cellular and tissue heterogeneity in cancer, inflammation, and tissue senescence.
• Develop next-generation deep-learning and statistical deconvolution methods for inferring gene regulation from bulk, single-cell, and spatial-omics data.
• Develop independent research directions aligned with the lab's interests.

The Chu Lab is built on the philosophy of “Mentorship as Collaboration,” where trainees are valued as scientific collaborators rather than assistants. As a postdoctoral scientist in a newly established lab, you will receive individualized mentorship tailored to your career goals, with direct technical engagement in algorithm and model development and shared co-ownership of the science.

• Active collaboration:
  The PI maintains an open-door policy, meets regularly with trainees, and is deeply involved to support their algorithm and model development.
• Scientific independence:
  You will be supported to develop and lead your own research ideas with the freedom and computational resources required to pursue them.
• Grant writing and career transition:
  Training in scientific writing, proposal preparation, and fellowship applications; postdocs are supported and encouraged to apply for independent fellowships.
• Visibility:
  Full support for presenting at top-tier venues spanning machine learning and computational biology, and assistance in building professional networks across academia and industry.

The Chu Lab is part of a vibrant interdisciplinary research community at UVA, with active collaborations across the UVA School of Medicine. The lab has full access to UVA's high-performance computing resources and core facilities supporting genomics and imaging.

Charlottesville, Virginia is a highly livable university town at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, known for excellent quality of life, affordability, and cultural and outdoor offerings.

Minimum:
Ph.D. (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Computational Biology, Biophysics, Engineering, or a related quantitative discipline, in hand by the appointment start date.

Preferred:

• Strong foundational knowledge in mathematics and statistics.
• Proficiency in PyTorch (or equivalent deep-learning frameworks).
• At least one peer-reviewed publication in the previous area of research (not necessarily biology-related).
• Genuine intellectual curiosity for solving biological problems through quantitative approaches.
• Prior experience with spatial transcriptomics, single-cell omics, or related biological datasets is a plus but not required.
• Candidates from purely computational backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply; domain-specific biological knowledge can be acquired on the job.

• 12-month appointment with possibility of renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
• Salary commensurate with education and experience.
• Position will sponsor applicants for work visas.
• Start date is available immediately; flexible.
• Postdoctoral employment is temporary and limited to individuals who have been awarded a Ph.D. or equivalent within the previous five years and will be involved in full-time research or scholarship at the University.

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.