Philip Awadalla has trained and continues to train 14 graduate students and PDFs, and many of his former students have gone on to become university faculty and postdoctoral fellows. Our preference is to take on Ph.D. students but we are also willing to supervise M.Sc. students.

Postdoctoral Position in Population and Medical Genomics

A Postdoctoral position is available in the population and medical genomics laboratory of Philip Awadalla in Toronto at the University of Toronto and Ontario Institute for Cancer Research. The lab focuses on analysis, development of methods and sequencing experiments studying the evolutionary genomics of aging processes (including mutation and recombination), disease and cancer evolution using data from large longitudinal population cohorts that we oversee (e.g. Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project).

Our lab also works in close collaboration with a number of research laboratories in Toronto and internationally, including new programs within the Ontario Institute of Cancer Research and Princess Margaret Hospital, and projects related to dementia and aging-related neurological processes. Our Genome Canada platform for genomics and bioinformatics (the Genome Canada Canadian Data Integration Centre) supports much of our initiatives.

The successful candidate will be nearing the completion/having a PhD or equivalent postdoctoral training in genomics or population/ statistical genetics. Postdoctoral research scientists can work on projects of their choosing related to the labs current projects. Some recent publications from the lab are listed below.

The researcher can develop research questions of their choosing but possible projects can include:

  • Next-generation approaches (whole genome, RNA-seq, epigenomic, long-read and single-cell) integrating population genetic approaches for genomic studies of large population cohorts. Our lab is directing the longitudinal collection of genomic material in Canada's national populations cohort, the Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow Project, which has enlisted 315,000 participants across Canada with administrative health data (EHRs) and physical measures.
  • Capturing de novo tissue and cell-specific mutation and recombination events from normal or malignant tissue including single cell applications. Fitness consequences of mutations from genome-wide collections of empirical population and comparative data.
  • Identify genetic and molecular control points associated with simple and complex disorders oncological/hematological phenotypes or diseases including immunodeficiencies, child-hood cancer, and age-related clonal hematopoiesis (ARCH).

Interested individuals should please write to Philip Awadalla (philip.awadalla@ndph.ox.ac.uk).

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Bioinformatics, Undergraduate and Volunteer Opportunities

We also hire bioinformaticians and undergraduates to assist with research projects being conducted in the lab

Additionally, we are interested in conscientious volunteers and if performance is satisfactory this can lead to being hired as a paid assistant during the summer months.

If you are interested in applying, please send a CV and a statement of why you would like to do research in our lab.

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Graduate and Postdoctoral Training

Students with a background in genomics, statistical genetics and evolutionary biology having an interest in medical genomics, population genetics, and genomics of infectious disease are especially welcome. Students with strengths in other areas such as computational and statistical biology will also be considered.

What to expect:

  • A range of potential topics are provided, usually 2-4 general problems are discussed. We are also happy to entertain projects that the student might suggest, so long as they are sufficiently innovative.
  • Academic and logistical support is provided to conduct the research throughout the duration of the program.
  • Once research questions are formulated, the student/fellow is encouraged to develop new avenues and questions related to the problem.
  • Research scientists in the laboratory normally are expected to publish 4-6 journal articles from their time in the lab. This enables them to be in a better position to obtain post-doctoral or academic positions.

If you are interested in applying, please send a CV and a statement of why you would like to do research in our lab.

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Big Data Meets Genetic Research

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