The Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) is an international biomedical research institute of excellence, based in Barcelona, Spain, with more than 400 scientists from 44 countries. The CRG is composed by an interdisciplinary, motivated and creative scientific team which is supported both by flexible and efficient administration and by high-end and innovative technologies. In April 2021, the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) received the renewal of the 'HR Excellence in Research' Award from the European Commission.

We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the "Evolutionary Processes Modeling" group. The selected candidate will be in charge of finishing ongoing projects in the group, involving the development of probabilistic methods for the identification of non-coding cancer driver elements and of the tumor mode of growth. The candidate will analyze data, develop a computational pipeline and test biological hypotheses.

Cancer is a genetic disease, subject to population genetics forces like mutation, selection and stochasticity. Our group is particularly interested in how the evolution and survival of cancer cell populations relies on mutation influx and in how cancer driver events can be identified from observed mutation data. Analysis of the mutational processes acting in cancer genomes allows us to learn about carcinogenic mutagens ( while studying the spatial genetic heterogeneity of tumors tells us about the tumor mode of growth ( Estimates of the strength of selection in cancer allow a prioritization of genes and non-coding regions by their disease relevance, with the ultimate goal of promoting therapeutic advances.





Coding sequences of cancer tumors not only exhibit positively selected mutations that drive cancer ( but also a small fraction of genes that the tumor cannot afford to lose ( In addition to genes, cancer driver loci can occur in the non-coding part of the genome ( We are also interested in mutation rates and selection inference in the context of human genetic variation, including from single-nucleotide polymorphisms ( academic.oup.com/mbe/article-abstract/36/8/1701/5475505) and de novo variants ( Here, a particular focus of the group lies on the description of purifying selection in humans and across species, accounting for mutational processes as well as the effects of genetic drift.

The Evolutionary Processes

Modeling lab was established in October 2018 and is part of the "Computational Biology and Health Genomics" program at the CRG. You are familiar with the principles of evolutionary processes or population genetics You have experience with modeling, statistical analysis and/or machine learning Experience with DNA- or RNA-sequencing data analysis is a plus Education and training ~ You hold a PhD degree in population genetics, physics, statistics, bioinformatics, or a related discipline You are fluent in English Experience with computational data analysis Familiar with modeling and statistical analysis Contract duration: Technical and scientific activities contract (estimated duration until September 2027). We provide a highly stimulating environment with state-of-the-art infrastructure and unique professional career development opportunities.

To check out our training and development portfolio, please visit our website in the training section. The CRG is committed to reconcile a work and family life of its employees and is offering extended vacation periods and the possibility to benefit from adaptable working hours. All applications must be submitted online on the CRG Career site - It will be merit-based.

📌 Data Scientist / Postdoctoral Researcher In The Group 'Evolutionary Processes Modeling' (Cataluña)
🏢 Centre For Genomic Regulation (Crg)
📍 Cataluña