Postdoctoral Research Associate Position in Sex Chromosome Evolution, USDA-ARS Hilo, Hawaii The USDA-ARS Tropical Pest Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit in Hilo, Hawaii is in search of a postdoctoral research associate to work on a two-year USDA-funded research project investigating sex chromosome evolution in agriculturally important species. This project aims to investigate the structure, function, and epigenetic control of genes on the X and Y chromosomes of fruit flies in the insect family Tephritidae which are major agricultural pests of specialty crops. Using full-length transcriptome sequencing and ATAC-Seq, the incumbent will explore chromosome-scale genome assemblies to evaluate changes in gene content on the X and Y chromosomes across taxa. The goal of this project is to better understand sex chromosome evolution in Tephritidae and apply knowledge of sex-specific gene function to pest management. The incumbent will be responsible for guided experimental design, data analysis, and manuscript preparation. To support the research and training of the postdoctoral research associate, the research unit has expertise in arthropod genomics and houses a multi-million dollar genomics laboratory highlighted by a suite of high-throughput sequencing platforms (PacBio Revio, Oxford Nanopore Promethion , and Element Aviti) for which the researcher can gain hands on experience with library preparation and sequencing if desired. Additionally, high-performance compute infrastructure is available, including hardware focused on AI approaches which can be utilized by this project, including training and professional development opportunities in bioinformatics and data science and a large network of scientists and postdoctoral research fellows as your peers. The ideal candidate for this position will have: - PhD in Biology, Evolution, Genetics, Entomology or related field with degree conferred at the time of hiring - Demonstration of excellent written and oral communication - Experience with manual gene annotation - Comfort with high-throughput sequence data analysis - Comfort with BASH, R, and command-line usage on an HPC - Comfort with Python3, Git, and workflow management - Experience with differential expression and epigenetic peak analysis - Experience in entomological systems The starting salary for this position is $75,640 with full federal benefits. This role is not remote. Projected start date is flexible and contingent on background clearance. This position is to be hired as a federal employee, so only US citizens will qualify. The US Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Please send inquiries about this position by email to: sheina.sim[at]usda.gov Sheina B. Sim, PhD (she/her) Research Biologist United States Department of Agriculture Research, Education, and Economics Agricultural Research Service Pacific West Area Daniel K. Inouye United States Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center Tropical Pest Genetics and Molecular Biology Research Unit (USDA-REE-ARS-PWA-DKI-US-PBARC-TPGMBRU) 64 Nowelo Street Hilo, HI 96720 USA sheina.sim@usda.gov "Sim, Sheina - REE-ARS" (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)