Post Doctoral Associate

The Clark lab is accepting applications for postdoctoral researchers spanning the fields of Evolutionary Genetics, Molecular Evolution, and Phylogenetics. The lab is involved in the creation and continued development of the computational tools RERconverge and Evolutionary Rate Covariation (ERC). The Clark lab also performs zebrafish genetics and comparative genomics. Many lab members possess both wet and computational expertise. Major lab projects address the evolution of eyesight in mammals and fish, and diving in aquatic mammals. Applicants may join these projects or develop independent research directions of their own.

Successful applicants will advance projects related to lab studies in adaptive evolution, extreme environments, phylogenetic signals of gene function, and comparative genomics. Specific duties of postdocs in the lab include conducting novel independent research, manuscript preparation, training of junior lab members, and general lab citizenship. Must have Ph.D. in Biology, Genetics, Molecular Biology, Development, and other related fields.

The Clark lab is in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt). Pitt and its neighbors, Carnegie Mellon University and Duquesne University provide a rich and collaborative environment for research. In 2022, Pitt ranked third in the country in terms of federal research funding and has top programs in practically all areas of biology and health. The lab is also involved in specific communities to develop evolutionary genetics research, namely the Molecular Evolution Lab Discussion seminars (MELD) and the Center for Evolutionary Biology and Medicine (CEBaM).

Pittsburgh is a vibrant, growing technology hub that remains affordable. It has a long tradition of arts and culture, including the Carnegie Museums and the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Citations:

Kowalczyk A, Meyer WK, Partha R, Mao W, Clark NL, Chikina M. RERconverge: an R package for associating evolutionary rates with convergent traits. Bioinformatics. 2019; 1-3: btz468. PMC6853647 doi: 10.1093/bioinformatics/btz468

Wynn K. Meyer, Jerrica Jamison, Rebecca Richter, Stacy E. Woods, Charles Kronk, Raghavendran Partha, Amanda Kowalczyk, Maria Chikina, Robert K. Bonde, Joseph Gaspard, Janet M. Lanyon, Clement E. Furlong, and Nathan L. Clark. Ancient convergent losses of Paraoxonase 1 yield deleterious consequences for modern marine mammals. Science. 2018; 361(6402): 591-594. PMC6317340. doi:10.1126/science.aap7714

Colgren J, Nichols SA (2019) Evolution as a guide for experimental cell biology. PLoS Genet 15(2): e1007937. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgen.1007937

Brunette GJ, Jamalruddin MA, Baldock RA, Clark NL, Bernstein KA. Evolution-based screening enables genome-wide prioritization and discovery of DNA repair genes. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA. 2019; 116(39): 19593-19599. PMC6765268 doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1906559116

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