Postdoctoral Research Associate Positions in Alzheimer’s disease: Genetics

Job Title: Postdoctoral Research Associate Positions in Alzheimer’s disease: Genetics

Job Number: 93558

Location: St. Louis, US

Job Description

The Cruchaga Lab, at Washington University School of Medicine is recruiting multiple Postdoctoral Research Scientists. The NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center (NGI) generates and analyzes Whole-Genome Sequencing data and high-throughput, multi-dimensional -omic data to study neurodegeneration and diseases of the central nervous system, with an emphasis on Alzheimer disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other dementias. The ultimate goal of the NGI is to understand the biology of these diseases, to define novel biomarkers, and to identify novel therapeutic targets. The Washington University School of Medicine is renowned for its research cohorts of neurodegenerative disorders, which include clinical, neuroimaging, and fluid biomarker phenotypes.

Characterization of the genetic topography of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) provides a unique opportunity to understand the disease. We are looking for investigators with expertise in Whole Genome and Exome data, colocalization, Mendelian Randomization, and TWAS/Fusion approaches to lead our effort to identify new genes involved in AD etiology.

Recent publications on the subject:
Fernandez et al., Sci Data. 2024 PMID: 38997326 | Cruchaga et al., Res Sq, 2024. PMID: 38883718 | Wang et al., Mol Neurodegenr. 2024. PMID: 38172904 | Ray et al. Alzheimers Dement. 2023, PMID: 37390458 | Ali et al, Acta Neuropathol Commun, 2023 PMID: 37101235

We have recently received several NIH R01 awards to generate and analyze large WGS datasets for both familial Alzheimer Disease and sporadic early-onset cases. We are seeking highly motivated researchers with strong analytical skills, especially in genetics and WGS/WES analyses to lead the analyses for these projects. The new postdoc(s) will join a large team, currently 30+ members, which is led by three faculty members, and regroups four postdocs, several PhD students, and three senior scientists.

Qualifications

A successful applicant will have:

• A PhD in Genetics, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Data Science, Statistical Genomics, or a related discipline involving the interrogation of ‘omics’ datasets, or expect to obtain a degree in the near future
• Hands-on experience using PLINK, SKAT, FUSION, BWA, and/or GATK with large-scale human genomic or other omics (preferably related to neurodegeneration) studies
• Experient performing colocalization, Mendelian randomization
• Solid skills in at least one programming language (R, python, or Perl) and experience working in Linux and/or high-performance cluster environments
• A strong ability to perform analytical reasoning to extract biological insights from data-driven approaches
• Familiarity with interrogation of publicly available resources (highly beneficial)
The Cruchaga Lab provides a unique collaborative scientific environment emphasizing the analysis of functional genomics and high dimensional omics data to understand AD and other dementias. The Lab is member of the NGI that includes faculties with expertise in genetics, genomics, multi-omics, machine learning, iPSC, animal models of neurodegenerative diseases and Clinical research. New postdoctoral research associates will work in a collegial environment in a well-stablished, well-funded research group, currently 30+ dynamic members, developing bioinformatics tools and analyzing multi omics data to explore the frontiers of AD.

Job Location
This position will be located at Dr. Cruchaga’s lab in the NeuroGenomics and Informatics Center (Department of Psychiatry) at Washington University.

Benefits
This position is eligible for full-time benefits. Please click the following link to view a summary of benefits: https://hr.wustl.edu/benefits/.

EOE Statement
The Washington University School of Medicine is renowned for its research cohorts of neurodegenerative disorders, which include clinical, neuroimaging, and fluid biomarker phenotypes. Washington University is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status.

Application Deadline: 2025-08-26