OPEN POSITIONS
Join the Jones!Lab
Pursue your career goals by contributing and building your scientific, engineering and computational skills as the newest member of our team! We are one of six inaugural research groups at the VU LSC - EMBL Partnership Institute, centered on developing novel genome editing technologies. We aim to discover and characterize broad classes of programmable enzymes – including CRISPR nucleases – with a special interest in uncovering their mechanisms of specificity.
In our group, you will develop and employ high-throughput biochemical methods to discover and characterize the next generation of genome engineering tools. We fuse deep sequencing, automation, classical biochemistry and bioinformatics through engineering and collaboration. We benefit from cutting-edge equipment and brilliant minds that span EMBL research institutes and the VU Life Sciences Center.
As a Jones!Lab member, you can expect colleagues that share your passion for research and team-based contributions to the life sciences community. You will build connections with international research teams, receive mentoring in scientific development and career advancement, and solve pressing biological problems with interdisciplinary strategies.
COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGIST
We are seeking a computational biologist to help bring our team to the next level. This candidate should be a confident Python programmer, familiar with libraries like SciPy, NumPy, Matplotlib and BioPython. She or he will use and develop software that analyze DNA sequencing data in combination with biochemistry principles to understand how gene editing tools function. A desire to understand and approach challenges in gene editing biology is more critical than expert knowledge of the field.
The candidate should have a Masters degree in a discipline such as computer science, bioinformatics, biochemistry or applied mathematics. A Bachelors degree with appropriate experience may also be acceptable. This opportunity is available as full- or part-time employment, or as part of a degree program.
If you would like to join us in doing great science, please email Stephen with your CV and a cover letter.
POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER
The Jones!Lab seeks postdoctoral researchers to spearhead exciting projects in gene editing. Each will have a strong background in either molecular biology, biochemistry, biomedical engineering, bioinformatics or computer science. Successful applicants will:
demonstrate enthusiasm for using team-based approaches to pursue our research goals.
have a strong work ethic, evidenced through output from their prior training.
have demonstrated Python programming skills.
train and learn from fellow lab members.
plan to apply for extramural support through Skłodowska-Curie Fellowships or similar programs.
If you are interested in joining our team, please email Stephen with your CV and a cover letter.
PHD STUDENT
CRISPR nucleases transformed our approaches medicine, diagnostics, agriculture and research. By programming a CRISPR nuclease with a guide RNA (gRNA), we direct it to cut a gene with the matching sequence, its target. Yet, this process doesn't always work: some gRNAs don't work, and we don't know why. A student in this position will investigate how the structure and sequence of a gRNA contributes to its function as a gene editing tool.
Eligible candidates should have a Master's degree, documented fluency in English, and practical experience programming in Python.