San Diego State University Research Foundation
Postdoctoral Research Scholar 0-5 yrs Experience

US-CA-San Diego

Job ID: 2026-21103
# of Openings: 2
Category: Research/Project
SDSU- College of Sciences

Overview

• This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after November 12, 2026.
• The salary for this position is budgeted at $5,858.67 per month + benefits.

The Department of Biology at San Diego State University advances the discovery, understanding, and application of biological knowledge through excellence in teaching, research, and service. The Department provides rigorous undergraduate and graduate education across diverse areas of biology, prepares students and scholars for careers in the life sciences and health professions, and supports hands-on learning through laboratory, field, and research experiences. Faculty and students conduct innovative research addressing fundamental biological questions and pressing challenges in health, environment, evolution, conservation, and biotechnology, while contributing expertise and service to the University, regional community, and broader scientific community.

The Sethuraman Lab specifically (where this position will be housed) is comprised of theoretical and applied population genomicists who develop new statistical/computational methods for estimating evolutionary history from genomic data.

The Sethuraman Lab at San Diego State University is looking for (a) one 3-year (and extensible, contingent on funding and performance) Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Computational Genomics, and (b) one MS/PhD level programmer. Our lab is broadly comprised of theoretical and applied population geneticists who develop new statistical methods, software, and pipelines for estimating evolutionary history from large population genomic data. Both positions will support development of new genomic genealogy-based methodologies towards reparations for the descendants of formerly enslaved African Americans in California.

Responsibilities

The Sethuraman Lab at San Diego State University is looking for (a) one 3-year (and extensible, contingent on funding and performance) Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Computational Genomics, and (b) one PhD level programmer/postdoctoral research fellow. Our lab is broadly comprised of theoretical and applied population geneticists who develop new statistical methods, software, and pipelines for estimating evolutionary history from large population genomic data. We are specifically interested in the genomics of structured populations, with ongoing methodological developments to estimate demographic history & (1) population structure in the presence of missing genomic data, (2) signatures of linked natural selection versus adaptive introgression, (3) archaic introgression, (4) whole genome duplications, and (5) relatedness in admixed populations. Methods we have recently developed include CoalMiner, GhostHunter, TeloQuest, SpecKs, DemographiKs, SaVor, PPP, methylMapR, IMa3, and MULTICLUST. We are currently also working on several applied genomics projects to study (a) the evolutionary history of domestication in hops (Humulus lupulus L. - e.g. McElwee-Adame et al., 2025), (b) the genomics of invasiveness in introduced beneficial insects (e.g. Coccinellid beetles - e.g. Jones et al., 2024) and agricultural pests (e.g. pink stem borer moths - Li et al., 2024), (c) the evolution of modern human genomes in the face of "ghost" hybridization, (d) estimating evolutionary demographic history along the polyploidy continuum (e.g. Dunn and Sethuraman 2025), and (e) numerous conservation genomics projects. Our work has been graciously supported by the NSF (CAREER-2021, ABI-2016, REU-2018), USDA-NIFA (REEU-2017, HSI-2022), US-DOE (2025), and NIH (R15-2022). The lab currently is comprised of 1 postdoctoral scholar, 5 PhD students, 4 MS students, and 4 undergraduate scholars, working on a variety of methodological developments and applied population genomics projects.

This postdoctoral scholar and programmer will work on three computational genomics methodological developments:

• Collate and build a genomic database, specifically X, Y, and mitochondrial genomic data (single lineage inheritance) from publicly available datasets - e.g. 1000 Genomes Project, The Cancer Genome Atlas, and the CAAPA2 dataset (Consortium on Asthma among African-ancestry Populations in the Americas, (b) build the mathematical framework and a software to estimate ancient evolutionary history of recombination between human X and Y chromosomes at the pseudoautosomal regions (PARs) using Ancestral Recombination Graphs (ARGs), and incorporate geographical origin information to estimate geographical origins from genomic data,
• Build the mathematical framework and a software to estimate recent matrilineal genealogical (pedigree) history by utilizing the length distributions of Runs of Homozygosity along the human X chromosome, and recent geographical movement information to estimate matrilineal history.
• Build a tool for visualization of recent and ancient demographic histories on spatial and temporal scales.

This postdoctoral scholar and programmer will also have numerous opportunities to develop their own projects in computational population genomics and collaborate on projects. They will also have professional development opportunities towards developing their own grant proposals, teaching courses within the Department of Biology at SDSU, and take part in postdoctoral scholar cohorts across SDSU, UCSD, and other California State University campuses. They will also have the opportunity to co-mentor graduate and undergraduate students with PI Sethuraman.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• The postdoctoral scholar must have completed (defended and submitted a doctoral dissertation) their Doctoral degree (PhD, or equivalent) at the time of appointment in population/evolutionary genomics.
• The programmer must have completed a MS degree, or a Doctoral degree (PhD, or equivalent) at the time of appointment in population/evolutionary genomics.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Population/evolutionary genomics expertise - methods, applications
• Computational genomics - algorithms, programs, development
• Python programming
• Knowledge of deploying jobs, containerization, storage on high-performance computing environments

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION

• Candidate must reside in California and live within a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on background check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU Research Foundation provides equal opportunity in employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin or any other categories protected by federal or state law.
• Employment decisions are based on an individual’s qualifications as they relate to the job under consideration. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that every employee has equal access to resources and support.
• SDSU Research Foundation complies with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the California Equity in Higher Education Act, California’s Proposition 209 (Art. I, Section 31 of the California Constitution), and other applicable state and federal anti-discrimination laws including grant or contract terms and conditions related to funded program activities. Further the SDSU Research Foundation maintains a Nondiscrimination Policy that prohibits discriminatory preferential treatment, segregation based on race or any other protected status, and all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation in all programs, policies, and practices.
• SDSU Research Foundation makes all employment decisions including, but not limited to, applicant screening, hiring, promotion, demotion, compensation, benefits, disciplinary actions, and terminations on the basis of merit.