Postdoctoral Positions
CHRIS TODD HITTINGER LAB: posted Aug 2025
Postdoctoral position in Yeast Evolutionary Genomics and Synthetic Biology at UW-Madison
Job summary: DNA sequencing and synthesis allow us to read and write from genomes at a breathtaking pace, and yeasts are leading the way. Yeasts of the subphylum containing S. cerevisiae, C. albicans, St. bombicola, and Y. lipolytica are as genetically diverse as the animal kingdom and have evolved myriad energy management strategies to process carbon. Yeasts compete vigorously for nutrients in every continent and biome, but most species are minimally characterized. You can be among the first to study yeast evolution, ecology, or bioenergy applications using data from Y1000+ Project (http://www.y1000plus.org), which has now sequenced the genomes of essentially all >1000 known
budding yeast species (Opulente et al. 2024 Science). Projects are available to study basic and fundamental principles of evolution and ecology using this dataset, as well as to mine it for bioenergy research. Many projects are coupling artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) predictions with rigorous experimental validation (e.g. Harrison et al. 2024 PNAS, Aranguiz et al. 2025 Nature Commun, Crandall et al. 2024 MBE, David et al. 2025 PNAS). Metabolic engineering and multi-omic projects to produce advanced biofuels and bioproducts using S. cerevisiae and non-conventional yeasts are also available. I also want to hear your ideas!
Preferred Skills:
The ideal postdoctoral applicant will be highly motivated to develop an independent research project in the Hittinger Lab. The candidate should have a strong background in molecular and/or evolutionary genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, microbiology, metabolic engineering, and/or synthetic biology. Experience in machine learning/artificial intelligence (AI/ML), yeast genetics, multi-omics, or metabolic engineering are particularly desirable.
How to apply:
Please submit the following materials to cthittinger@wisc.edu:
- CV
- p/reprints
- Contact information for two references
Specifically mention why you are interested in the position in your email. Apply by 15th August 2025 for full consideration, but strong applications may be considered sooner.
Read the full job posting here.
JOHN POOL LAB: posted Aug 2025
Postdoctoral position in Population Genomics and the Genetics of Adaptive Evolution at UW-Madison
Job summary: The Pool Lab has a strong focus on population genomics and the genetics of adaptive evolution (especially with regard to local adaptation), and it supports an emerging emphasis on genetic evidence of reproductive isolation. Most of the lab’s projects leverage the natural diversity and experimental power of Drosophila melanogaster, while other projects are driven by population genetic simulations. The focus of this postdoctoral position will depend on the intersection of interests between the successful candidate and the mentor. Examples of potential focus areas include:
- The population genomics of admixture/introgression between partially isolated populations/species.
- Integrating genotype-phenotype association testing with other forms of data to expand inferences about the genetics of adaptation.
- Using multi-omic data to investigate the evolution of maternal investment reproductive tradeoffs in a challenging environment.
How to apply:
Please submit the following materials to jpool@wisc.edu:
- Statement of research interests (up to 1 page) addressing the intersection between your own scientific interests and the Pool lab’s research in terms of potential projects
- CV
- Contact info for 3 references
Applications are due by September 1. However, earlier applications are welcome, and later applications may still be considered. Informal inquiries are also welcome at any time.
Read the full job posting here.
WEI XU LAB: posted Feb 2025
Postdoctoral position in Cancer Biology with the Department of Oncology at UW-Madison
Job summary: An immediate opening is available for a postdoctoral fellow to study transcriptional regulation and epigenetic mechanisms in breast cancer and Wilms tumor. Our lab has published significant findings in these areas (Wang L., Cancer Cell, 2014; Shishkova E, Nature Comm., 2017; Liu F. NCB, 2017; Liu F., EMBO J, 2021; Chan N. T., Nucleic Acids Res, 2022; Chan N. T., Science Advances, 2022; Ma G., Cell Reports Medicine, 2024). The research will focus on: utilizing genomic approaches (ChIP-Seq and scRNA-Seq) and proteomic methods, dissecting epigenetic mechanisms using cell-based and animal models, and career development including grant writing and skills essential for independence.
Required Qualifications
- Recent Ph.D. in molecular biology, cancer biology, or related field
- At least one first-author publication in major biology journals
- Strong background in molecular biology techniques
Preferred Skills
- Experience with standard molecular assays, cell culture, biochemistry, and flow cytometry
- Knowledge of computational genomic tools
- Expertise in transcription, signaling, or cancer epigenetics
- Experience with tumor organoid models and breast cancer rodent models (desirable but not required)
How to apply:
Please submit the following materials to wxu@oncology.wisc.edu:
- Cover letter
- Resume/CV
- Contact information for three referees
- Reprints of first-author publications