南非斯坦陵布什大学遗传学部门博士后招聘

Postdoctoral position available in the field of psychiatric pharmacogenomics in the Department of Genetics at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

Project Description:
This project is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry at Stellenbosch University. The aim of the study is to elucidate genetic factors contributing to antipsychotic response and adverse drug reactions. Furthermore, we aim to identify genetic susceptibility factors contributing to schizophrenia and the related symptoms. A cohort of first-episode schizophrenia patients has already been collected and followed-up over a period of five years. Extensive standardised clinical data are available for these patients, including data on treatment response and adverse drug reactions to standardised antipsychotic treatment. We have already generated exome sequencing data for a subset of these patients.
The postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for analysis of the exome sequencing data, using novel approaches, to prioritise genes/pathways for further analyses, including targeted capture and resequencing of candidate genes. The exome analysis will include, among other things, the examination of copy number variation. Furthermore, the postdoctoral fellow will be responsible for identifying and genotyping ancestry informative markers in the whole cohort to determine the population structure of this predominantly admixed group of patients.

Required Skills:
The postdoctoral fellow should hold a PhD obtained within the last five years and be well acquainted with the genetics of complex diseases and/or pharmacogenomics. Preference will be given to individuals with expertise in computational biology, statistics or analyses of next generation sequencing data. Applicants must have spoken and written fluency in English.

Application:
Interested candidates should send the following information to Prof Louise Warnich at lw@sun.ac.za by 4 May 2012
1) Letter of motivation stating why the candidate is suitable for this project
2) Curriculum vitae
3) The names and contact details of two referees

Commencement of duties: As soon as possible

The fellowship will only be awarded if a suitable candidate can be found.