A funded Postdoctoral Fellow opportunity is available in Dr. Finlay
Maguire's group in the Computer Science / Community Health &
Epidemiology at Dalhousie University.

This is a full-time one-year position, with the possibility of extension,
at the University of Dalhousie. This position is supported by a New
Frontiers in Research Fund Explore grant with Dr. Samira Mubareka
at Sunnybrook Research Institute/University of Toronto, Dr. Arinjay
Banerjee at the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organisation/University
of Saskatchewan, and Dr. Jeff Bowman at Ontario Ministry of Natural
Resources/University of Trent.

Responsibilities: The successful applicant will lead computational work
in the Maguire lab to characterise the evolution, diversity, and
function of accessory genes in Alpha- and Betacoronavirus species (CoVs)
associated with wildlife infections. Building on prior work with wildlife-
associated SARS-CoV-2 and endemic CoVs, this project seeks to
characterise the ecological features of viral activity in specific
wildlife hosts, the breadth and distribution of genetic diversity for
endemic CoVs, and the principle molecular drivers of their evolution.
This will be achieved by mining large-scale sequencing datasets (and
our own samples) for the genomes of wildlife-associated CoVs and then
characterising the accessory gene mutational and selection landscape
using phylogenetic, coupling/autoencoder models, structural prediction,
and machine learning approaches. These results will be used to inform
concurrent wildlife cell-line/organoid-based experimental work in the
Mubareka (Toronto) and Banerjee labs (VIDO).

The successful candidate will also have the opportunity to work
with a multi-institutional team of experts in epidemiology,
bioinformatics, virology, immunology and human and animal health
through the Wildlife-Emerging Pathogen Initiative (https://wildepi.ca
<https://wildepi.ca/flock/>).

Subject to negotiation, there is a possibility of remote employment
within Canada.

Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have strong oral and written
communication skills, the ability to work independently and as a part of
a team, and proven experience with bioinformatics (including genomics
and phylogenetics) and predictive statistical or machine-learning
modelling. Programming experience in Python or R is essential for this
position. Prior experience with viral data is desirable. Selection of
the successful candidate will be based on a combination of academic
excellence, relevant experience, career goals, and referee assessments.

Application Process: Please submit a letter of interest, a curriculum
vitae, and contact information for two references to Dr. Finlay Maguire
(finlay.maguire@dal.ca). The ideal starting date is before the end
of Q1 2026 and applications will be considered until the position
is filled. At the University of Dalhousie, fostering a culture of
inclusion is an institutional goal. The University invites and encourages
applications from all qualified individuals, including from groups that
are traditionally underrepresented in employment, who may contribute to
further diversification of our Institution.

Further inquiries related to this position can be directed to Dr. Maguire.

Finlay Maguire <Finlay.Maguire@dal.ca>

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