PhD in psychiatric genomics: The relationship between genomic variation, cognitive and behavioral dimensions as well as risk for psychiatric conditions

The laboratory of Sébastien Jacquemont is mapping the relationship between rare genomic variants, cognition, behavior, and risk for neuropsychiatric conditions. This work is conducted within the new “Genome 2 Mental Health” Consortium funded by the National Institute of Mental Health.
We are recruiting a talented Ph.D. student and a postdoctoral researcher with a background in genomics.

Requirements

The ideal candidate holds a master's or a Ph.D. in genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, or equivalent. They should have coding skills using either R, Python, Matlab, etc.

Nature of the research:
We aim at understanding the relationship between genomic variation, cognitive and behavioral dimensions as well as risk for psychiatric conditions.

The student will use general population and psychiatric cohorts with cognitive, neuroimaging, and genomic data. This aggregate dataset of over 30 different international cohorts includes between 400000 and 800000 individuals.
CNV data are called using genotyping array data. Exome and Whole-genome sequencing data are also available for a subset of the dataset (target: 200000 individuals).

The successful candidate will investigate the relationship between the functional annotation of genes (e.g. the topological distribution of gene expression across the brain) and their effects on cognitive and behavioral measures as well as risk for psychiatric disorders.
Collaborations with other students in the lab will allow to perform analyses across modalities (There are similar studies in the lab focused on neuroimaging).

Environment

The lab and the research center offer a stimulating and international environment. The work conducted within a consortium (USA, Canada, and Europe) allows for the close collaboration between labs. Students can train in a collaborating laboratory abroad to gain additional expertise, and they can attend summer schools on specific topics as well. They are expected to present their research at international conferences.

The position is available now and will remain open during the next year.

Candidates should send curriculum vitae and recommendation to:

Sébastien Jacquemont
Associate Professor, University of Montreal
Canada Research Chair
[Email Address Removed]