Postdoctoral Associate

Overview

School of Medicine Established in 1930, Duke University School of Medicine is the youngest of the nation's top medical schools. Ranked sixth among medical schools in the nation, the School takes pride in being an inclusive community of outstanding learners, investigators, clinicians, and staff where interdisciplinary collaboration is embraced and great ideas accelerate translation of fundamental scientific discoveries to improve human health locally and around the globe.

Composed of more than 2,500 faculty physicians and researchers, more than 1,300 students, and more than 6,000 staff, the Duke University School of Medicine along with the Duke University School of Nursing, Duke University Health System and the Private Diagnostic Clinic (PDC) comprise Duke Health, a world-class academic medical center. The Health System encompasses Duke University Hospital, Duke Regional Hospital, Duke Raleigh Hospital, Duke Primary Care, Duke Home and Hospice, Duke Health and Wellness, and multiple affiliations.

A postdoctoral Research Associate (computational biology and bioinformatics area) position is open at Duke University School of Medicine in the lab of Dr. Yi Zhang starting Mar 2026 or later. The ideal candidate will develop novel machine learning and artificial intelligence (ML/AI) methods for genomics data, especially: large-scale single-cell genomics data, high-definition spatial genomics, digital pathology data, and apply the computational methods to understand biomedical problems like tumor microenvironment, immunology, and aging.

The individual will work with Dr. Yi Zhang to develop computational methods and collaborate with Dr. Tianlong Chen at UNC-Chapel Hill, and/or with other groups in quantitative genomics areas in and outside Duke University. The postdoc candidate will join a highly collaborative team to develop ML/AI x genomics methodology, publish in top Comp Bio/CS conferences and high impact journals, and obtain training on career development in a supportive environment.

• Develop novel ML/AI methods for genomics data, including large-scale single-cell genomics data, high-definition spatial genomics, and digital pathology data.
• Apply computational methods to understand biomedical problems such as tumor microenvironment, immunology, and aging.
• Collaborate with Dr. Yi Zhang and other groups (e.g., UNC-CH) to advance quantitative genomics research.
• Develop ML/AI x genomics methodology and publish in top conferences and high-impact journals.
• Receive training on career development in a supportive environment.

• PhD expected within one year, or PhD completed in the last 1–3 years, in a quantitative discipline (e.g., Computational Biology, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Data Science, Physics, Mathematics, Bioinformatics); multidisciplinary backgrounds are welcome.
• Strong skills in computational and data analytical methodology development and implementation; experience in machine learning and deep learning models; willingness to learn new methods.
• Strong programming skills in Python and Linux shell; experience in developing methods as open source repositories (e.g., Git Hub) is a plus.
• Strong motivation to analyze genomics data and interpret biomedicine from data; experience in single-cell and spatial omics is a plus.
• Strong communication skills including writing, publishing, and presenting research; proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals as a major author; willingness to collaborate in a multidisciplinary research environment.

Dr. Yi Zhang is an Assistant Professor at Duke University and a computational biologist. She obtained a PhD in Bioengineering in 2019 at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and completed postdoctoral training at the Department of Data Science, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard University, with Dr. Xiaole Shirley Liu. She is faculty in multiple Duke departments and affiliated with the Duke Cancer Institute and other institutes.

Dr. Zhang has led computational methodology development work published in top journals and has received multiple awards.

Dr. Tianlong Chen starts as an Assistant Professor of Computer Science at UNC Chapel Hill in Fall 2024. His research focuses on building accurate, trustworthy, and efficient ML systems. He has received multiple awards and recognitions for his work.

Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation or military status.

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