Description
Study genetic variation within and among populations to understand inheritance, evolution, and demographic processes; develop and apply statistical and computational methods to analyze genomic data and inform conservation, breeding, and public health decisions.
- • Design population sampling strategies and coordinate field or archival sample collection.
- • Curate and manage biobanks, reference panels, and associated metadata for populations.
- • Generate, acquire, or curate genomic datasets (e.g., SNP arrays, whole-genome sequencing, RADseq).
- • Perform quality control, filtering, and imputation of genotype and sequence data.
- • Estimate allele frequencies, genetic diversity, inbreeding, and effective population size.
- • Model population structure, admixture, and gene flow (e.g., PCA, ADMIXTURE, F-statistics).
- • Infer demographic history and migration using coalescent, likelihood, or ABC methods.
- • Detect selection, introgression, and local adaptation with haplotype- and frequency-based tests.
- • Create and apply statistical models for association mapping and quantitative trait analyses.
- • Integrate ecological, geographic, and phenotypic data for landscape or seascape genetics.
- • Develop, validate, and document computational pipelines and reproducible workflows.
- • Design and maintain genetics databases; collaborate with IT on data storage and computing.
- • Conduct simulations to evaluate methods, sampling designs, and statistical power.
- • Collaborate with biologists, ecologists, breeders, epidemiologists, and data scientists.
- • Review, interpret, and report population-genetic analyses for research or management decisions.
- • Prepare manuscripts, grants, and presentations; present findings at conferences and seminars.
- • Stay current with literature and emerging methods in population and statistical genetics.
- • Supervise and mentor students, technicians, and analysts; instruct in population-genetic methods.
- • Ensure compliance with permits, IRB/IACUC approvals, data-use agreements, and ethical guidelines.
- • Coordinate genotyping and sequencing with core laboratories; oversee sample handling and chain-of-custody.
- • Contribute genetic guidance to conservation, breeding, or public health programs.
- • Maintain detailed records, code repositories, and analysis notebooks to ensure reproducibility.
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Last reviewed: Jan 2026
