Job description

Department Name
311652600 Ped – Hematology/Oncology

School/College: School of Medicine

Job Description
Postdoctoral Fellow – Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Department: Pediatrics – Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

Institution: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine

The Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Fellow to join the research program of Dr. Smita Bhatia. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to innovative cancer research focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying therapy-related myeloid neoplasms and other malignancies.

The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary collaborators within the Institute for Cancer Outcomes and Survivorship (ICOS) and other research teams to advance our understanding of cancer development and improve patient outcomes through computational and translational research.

Essential Responsibilities

• Collaborate with investigators within ICOS and across UAB on multidisciplinary cancer research projects.
• Analyze and interpret high-dimensional genomic and transcriptomic datasets using computational and statistical approaches.
• Perform analyses of targeted sequencing, whole-genome sequencing (WGS), single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), and CITE-Seq data.
• Investigate the pathogenesis of therapy-related myeloid neoplasms and other hematologic and solid malignancies.
• Develop and evaluate novel biomarkers for disease prediction, prognosis, and treatment outcomes.
• Present research findings at scientific meetings and contribute to peer-reviewed publications.
• Participate in laboratory meetings, collaborative research initiatives, and other scholarly activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph. D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biostatistics, Genomics, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Cancer Biology, or a closely related field.
• Experience with genomic data analysis and computational biology methods.
• Proficiency in statistical programming languages such as R and/or Python.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience analyzing next-generation sequencing data, including WGS, targeted sequencing, single-cell RNA-seq, and CITE-Seq.
• Knowledge of cancer genomics, hematologic malignancies, or biomarker discovery.
• Familiarity with high-performance computing environments and bioinformatics pipelines.
• Publication record demonstrating research productivity.

About the Research Program

Dr. Smita Bhatia’s research program is dedicated to improving outcomes for individuals with cancer through innovative translational and computational research. The laboratory integrates genomic technologies, bioinformatics, and clinical data to better understand cancer biology, identify mechanisms of disease, and develop biomarkers that can inform personalized treatment strategies.

The UAB Heersink School of Medicine provides an outstanding collaborative research environment with access to world-class core facilities, extensive clinical datasets, and opportunities for professional development and career advancement.

Required Qualifications

Ph. D. in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Biostatistics, Genomics, Cancer Biology, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, or a closely related field with experience in computational analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data.

Open Until Filled: No

How to apply

Apply now

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