Join us!

We are looking to recruit researchers who are curious and enthusiastic about genetics, evolution and computational biology! Please email Ziyue for informal inquiries: ziyuegao [at] pennmedicine [dot] upenn [dot] edu.

For prospective PhD students: Formal applications should be submitted via the Biomedical Graduate Studies at Penn. Our lab participates in the Cell and Molecular Biology (CAMB) and Genomics and Computational Biology (GCB) graduate groups.

For prospective Postdocs: Please email Ziyue a brief summary of your background and research interests as well as CV including a complete publication list. See more information about postdoc appointment, training and benefits at Penn at the Biomedical Postdoctoral Programs website.

As a trainee, I was extremely lucky to have received the best mentoring I could ask for from my undergraduate, graduate and postdoc advisers: Drs. Dong Liu, Molly Przeworski and Jonathan Pritchard. Therefore, I hope to return the favor to the field by being a good mentor myself. I strive to provide as much guidance and support as I can to help my trainees succeed in their careers, may it be in academia or industry. Below are what you can expect in my lab and what I expect for my trainees (adapted from Yang Li's lab website).


What to expect from me:

Research and training

·      provide rigorous training in genetics, statistics and critical thinking skills;

·      help you identify your first focused project;

·      help you design study, interpret experimental results, plan next steps and prioritize those steps;

·      meet with you weekly to discuss your results and ideas;

·      help you prepare grants/papers and edit drafts of written work.

Conference

·      send you to up to two conferences per year (e.g. Biology of Genomes, ASHG, SMBE, PEQG);

·      push you out of your comfort zone to prepare you for your career (e.g. public speaking, networking);

·      help you practice your presentations and improve communication skills.

Career

·      review your individual and career development plan at least once per year;

·      support career development in both academia and industry and provide advice accordingly;

·      find opportunities for you to help achieve your career goals;

·      provide positive and candid reference for your job application.


What I expect from you:

·      conduct yourself with the utmost scientific integrity;

·      treat all of lab members with respect, regardless of their career stage(s);

·      work in full concentration at least 30 hours per week. Be present in the lab between 10am-5pm for at least 3 days/week (the remainder of your work time can be whenever and wherever you wish);

·      carry out analysis and troubleshoot independently (after 3 months of onboarding); 

·      attend weekly group meetings and journal clubs;

·      reply to work-related emails within 24 hours on weekdays;

·      keep sustainable and reproducible code or lab notes;

·      read at least 3 papers a week, whichever ones you choose to develop new ideas and interests;

·      identify funding opportunities and apply for all relevant/eligible external funding.