What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Researcher Statistical Genetics position at UCLA?
Applications are invited for a full-time Postdoctoral Researcher position to work with Dr. Alexander Young on the development of mathematical theory, statistical methods, and software in statistical genetics. This role is ideal for a researcher with strong quantitative and computational skills interested in foundational research exploring how genetic variation influences human traits, diseases, behaviors, and social outcomes.
A central theme of Dr. Young's research is how we can use the randomisation of genetic material within-families to disentangle nature and nurture. This then enables us to understand how genetic and cultural transmission from parents to offspring, combined with mating patterns, shape the distribution of traits in the population. The successful candidate will play a central role in developing new statistical methods, software, and theoretical frameworks.
Key Responsibilities
• Develop and apply mathematical and statistical models for analyzing genetic data.
• Design and implement computational tools and software to support statistical genetics research.
• Lead and contribute to academic publications and present findings at scientific conferences.
Qualifications
Basic qualifications
• Ph.D. in statistics, mathematics, computational biology, statistical genetics, quantitative genetics, or a closely related field.
• Strong background in quantitative methods, statistical modeling, and computational approaches.
• Experience in programming (e.g., Python, R, C , Julia) and working with large-scale genetic datasets.
• Demonstrated research excellence, evidenced by publications or working papers.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary environment.