Postdoctoral Scholar in Applied Mathematics

Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar

Salary range: 69,073 - 82,836 USD (see Table 23)

Percent time: 100%

Anticipated start: Preferred start date January 1, 2026 (flexible early)

Position duration: 2 years

Open date: September 10, 2025

Review date: Friday, Oct 10, 2025

Final date: Wednesday, Sep 9, 2026

The Rube Lab at University of California, Merced is seeking an ambitious Postdoctoral Scholar to lead a project that leverages compressed sensing to accelerate proteomics research. The scholar will work closely with Drs. Tomas Rube (UC Merced) and Marko Jovanovic (Columbia University) and will develop computational methods for designing and interpreting pooled high‑throughput experiments. The research will integrate computational and experimental technologies to detect protein‑protein interactions at increased scale and efficiency.

The ideal candidate has experience or a strong desire to build bioinformatics tools for interpreting high‑throughput mass spectrometry or DNA sequencing data. The Rube lab is inclusive, collaborative, and excels at team science. The postdoctoral scholar will have opportunities to contribute to and lead research projects.

• Develop state‑of‑the‑art methods for designing and interpreting compressive measurements.
• Work closely with experimental scientists to iteratively improve the platform.
• Disseminate results through high‑quality publications in peer‑reviewed journals and at national and international conferences.
• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in the lab.
• Participate in professional development activities.
• Ensure best practices in data and project management.
• Stay current with technological advancements and apply this knowledge to ongoing research initiatives.

Basic qualifications: Ph.D. (or equivalent) completed before the start date in a relevant field (bioinformatics, statistics, genomics, applied mathematics, computer science, electrical engineering, or physics).

• Deep understanding of statistical modeling, inference, and compressed sensing.
• Experience extracting biological insights from large datasets (mass‑spectrometry and DNA‑sequencing).
• Proficiency in Python or another general‑purpose programming language and high‑performance computing experience.
• Publications in peer‑reviewed scientific journals.

• Curriculum Vitae – most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter
• Authorization to Release Information Form – applicants must disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years that determine they committed misconduct.
• Scientific Writing Sample – manuscript or thesis chapter.

• Three references (contact information only).

Visit the application portal to submit your materials.

The University of California, Merced is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.