Postdoctoral Fellow

As a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Cortes-Ciriano group, your key responsibilities will include developing scalable computational solutions for high-throughput sequencing data analysis, leading projects that analyze long-read whole-genome sequencing data sets from human tumors, and collaborating with clinical scientists to enable early cancer detection strategies. You'll need to exhibit strong analytical skills while working both independently and in a team-oriented environment.

To qualify for the Postdoctoral Fellow position at the Cortes-Ciriano group, you should possess a PhD in the life sciences, ideally in subjects like computational biology or genomics. Strong programming skills in Python and R, significant experience in computational genomics (preferably cancer genomics), and the ability to communicate effectively in English are also critical for success in this role.

While experience in long-read sequencing data analysis is preferred, it is not a strict requirement for the Postdoctoral Fellow role at the Cortes-Ciriano group. What is essential, however, is a strong background in computational genomics, which will enable you to effectively contribute to the group's innovative cancer detection research.

At EMBL-EBI, the work environment for a Postdoctoral Fellow is collaborative and inclusive, emphasizing innovation and creativity. Located on the beautiful Wellcome Genome Campus, you'll enjoy flexible hybrid working options and a relaxed atmosphere, all while engaging in cutting-edge research. Our team fosters a culture where your contributions are valued and supported, providing a nurturing space for professional growth.

The EMBL Fellows’ Career Service offers invaluable support for Postdoctoral Fellows at the Cortes-Ciriano group, aiding in career planning whether you're interested in academia, industry, or entrepreneurial ventures. You’ll have access to resources, guidance from dedicated Career Advisors, and a variety of activities aimed at fostering your professional development throughout your fellowship.

When answering this question, focus on your specific experiences with high-throughput sequencing technologies, the datasets you have worked with, and the tools used for your analyses. Highlight any projects where your analysis led to significant findings and how it contributed to the team’s goals.

Discuss your proficiency in programming languages like Python and R, providing examples of how you've applied these languages in computational genomics, data analysis, or algorithm development. Mention any projects where your coding skills improved the analysis process or added value to your research outcomes.

Articulate your methodology for creating algorithms, starting from identifying gaps or needs in current methodologies, brainstorming potential solutions, and validating your algorithms with robust testing. Share any specific algorithms you've developed, including their impact on your projects.

When sharing an example of a collaborative project, focus on your role and the contributions you made within the team. Discuss how you navigated challenges, communicated with collaborators, and the outcomes of that project. Highlight the importance of teamwork in achieving shared research goals.

Discuss potential challenges such as data complexity, bioinformatics bottlenecks, or integration with existing datasets. Emphasize your problem-solving skills and how you plan to tackle these challenges through effective planning, collaboration, and leveraging computational tools.

Share specifics about your familiarity with Unix systems and high-performance computing resources, including any relevant projects where you utilized these environments to optimize data analysis processes. Stress the importance of these tools in handling large genomic datasets effectively.

Highlight any data visualization tools you've used, such as R's ggplot2 or Python's Matplotlib, and how you've applied them to communicate complex genomic data. Provide specific examples where effective visualizations improved insight and understanding among your team or stakeholders.

Explain the techniques and tools you use to enhance reproducibility, including version control software, use of documentation, and scripting of your analysis processes. Emphasize how crucial reproducibility is in scientific research, particularly in computational genomics.

Articulate your passion for the group's research focus and how it aligns with your career goals. Mention specific projects or aspects of the group's work that excite you and detail how your skills and background position you as a strong asset to their ongoing research efforts.

Discuss your future goals, whether they include pursuing an academic path, moving into industry roles, or making contributions to independent research. Highlight how the Postdoctoral Fellow position at the Cortes-Ciriano group fits into your career plans and contributes to your aspirations.