Postdoctoral Fellow/Trainee

Job Summary:

As a postdoctoral research fellow, this position will be responsible for developing and executing research plans designed in collaboration with a talented team of faculty, postdocs, and graduate students. While this position reports directly to Dr. James Costello in the Department of Pharmacology, this position will be in collaboration with the labs of Drs. Greene and Pividori in the Department of Biomedical Informatics. This position will be funded through a grant supported by the NIH, INCLUDE (INvestigation of Co-occurring conditions across the Lifespan to Understand Down syndromE) Project. The ideal candidate will have a background in multi-omic data processing, analysis, and modeling, with a strong interest in understanding molecular mechanisms of disease. Research plans will include the development of novel computational/biostatistical/machine learning methods for the integration of multiple, diverse dataset and the synthesis of hypotheses around the molecular mechanisms that drive the co-occurring condition of interest. It is expected that this position will publish academic research articles and contribute to lab efforts in mentoring students, grant writing, and manuscript review.

Key Responsibilities:

The job is focused on research training at the postdoctoral research fellow level, which includes:

• Develop collaborative research projects with the research team from the Costello, Greene, and Pividori labs.

• Develop novel computational methods and models to disentangle the link between the triplication of chromosome 21 and co-occurring conditions in Down syndrome.

• Write research manuscripts for publication in top journals.

• Present research findings at local, national, and international conferences and meetings.

• Supervise and mentor graduate students on the research projects developed in this position.

Work Location:

Hybrid - this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings.

Why Join Us:

The Costello lab and the Department of Pharmacology have a long history of successful and NIH funded research. The Department was recently ranked 4^th in the country by the Blue Ridge Rankings and Dr. Costello is in the to 10% of researchers nationally. This position will be highly collaborative, so the position will gain training experience by working with the Greene and Pividori labs, who are leaders in their fields of machine learning, computational biology, and statistical genetics. This position will have opportunities to lead their own research projects, develop collaborative projects, publish manuscripts, attend and present at national/international meetings, and help address fundamental questions in understanding the link between the triplication of chromosome 21 and the variable spectrum of co-occurring conditions that arise in Down syndrome. The position will also have opportunities to get engaged with the Linda Crnic Institute for Down syndrome research at CU Anschutz, a leader in Down syndrome research internationally. With over 100 researchers supported through the Crnic Institute, CU Anschutz is an active and engaging research environment for Down syndrome research.

After completion of this position, a successful candidate will produced high-quality, publishable research while taking increasing ownership of scientific projects and developing independence as an investigator. This position will contribute to the design, execution, and analysis of studies, often leading projects and collaborating across interdisciplinary teams. In addition to advancing research, this position will have mentored junior trainees, supported lab operations, and contributed to manuscript and grant development. Completion of this position will prepare the person in this position for the next career stage in academia, industry, or related fields.

Why work for the University?

The University of Colorado offers a comprehensive benefits package. To see what benefits are available for Post-Doctoral Fellows, please visit:

* Payroll & Benefits Orientation for Post-Doctoral Fellows | University of Colorado (cu.edu)

* benefits guide cover-post-doc-2024 (cu.edu)

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with a PhD in one of these fields of study: Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Informatics, Computer Science, Physics, Engineering, or an equivalent degree.

• The successful completion of a research project as evidenced by at least one first-authored and published manuscript.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proven experience in methods development for multi-omic data analysis
• Proven experience in disease research
• A track record in Down syndrome research
• Demonstrated ability to train researchers in bioinformatics skills and techniques
• A track record of contributions to proposals for research funding
• A track record of public speaking for presenting research findings in an academic setting
• Interest in developing new analytical workflows for emerging technologies (e.g., multiplexed ion beam imaging or single cell technologies)
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills.
• Proven ability to work independently within a research lab
• Demonstrated excellence in software development, including an active GitHub account, or equivalent
• A demonstrated ability to work collaboratively on multiple projects simultaneously
• An active GitHub repository and experience with working in a software development team
• A published example of a developed algorithm, pipeline, or database with application to multi-omic or image data. Ideally an R package in CRAN or Bioconductor.
• Demonstrated ability to train researchers in bioinformatics skills and techniques
• Experience with project management, including software for tracking projects.
• A track record of contributions to proposals for research funding.
• Interest in developing new analytical workflows for emerging technologies.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Experience researching Down syndrome-related questions

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.

Questions should be directed to: James Costello, james.costello@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply by June 25, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:

$70,000 to $85,000 depending on years of experience at the postdoctoral research level.

The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.