Postdoctoral Researcher - Age Rejuvenation Screening & Data Analysis

Postdoctoral Researcher - Age Rejuvenation Screening & Data Analysis

POSITION SUMMARY The Ellerby and Gerencser labs at the Buck Institute seek a Postdoctoral Researcher (PhD required) with expertise in microscopy-based image processing, machine vision, and data operations supporting high-throughput small molecule screening. The lab integrates cell biology, advanced microscopy, robotic automation, and single-cell gene expression techniques to investigate cellular function in health and aging. Current efforts focus on defining youthful and aging-related cellular phenotypes to use in high-throughput screening efforts across multiple labs at the Buck Institute.

This role involves developing and implementing algorithms, automated workflows, and analytical tools for modern microscopy and high-content imaging. Projects rely heavily on AI-based and classical segmentation methods, object detection, image registration, and object tracking. The lab uses automated microscopes and a fully robotic high-throughput screening system, generating large datasets requiring scalable, automated pipelines.

The candidate will:

• Translate biological questions into analytical strategies.
• Build and maintain image-analysis pipelines (deep learning and classical methods).
• Work with multiple data modalities, including compound‑library databases and phenotypic profiling datasets.
• Support small‑molecule screens, cell‑painting-based phenotyping, and high-content imaging workflows.
• Contribute to automation of data acquisition and experimental design.

Training will be provided in experimental technologies, and the candidate will also participate in experiment execution and data interpretation.

Essential Requirements

• PhD in bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field
• Experience with biological image processing and automated/pipeline-based image analysis
• Proficiency in Python and common scientific/imaging libraries
• Strong data analysis, database, and biostatistics skills
• Windows and Linux proficiency
• Demonstrated research portfolio or publication record
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong time‑management skills and the ability to work independently and collaboratively

Desired Skills

• Experience with data from high-throughput small-molecule screens
• Experience with laboratory automation and robotic systems
• Microscopic phenotypic profiling or cell-painting experience
• Deep-learning tools (CNNs for object detection, instance segmentation, embeddings)
• GUI development in Python (e.g., Flask, Voila)
• Pathway analysis or knowledge‑graph-based approaches
• Programming in R
• Experience with programmatic prompting of large language models

• Salary Range: $80, per year, depending on experience and qualifications
• Dynamic research environment using state-of-the-art techniques
• Comprehensive benefits package: health insurance, paid parental leave, childcare assistance, generous vacation/sick leave, and a 401(k) with 5% employer match
• Highly collaborative scientific and social community