Announcements

Employment Opportunities

Statistical Geneticist.—Roche Molecular Systems, a leader in the field of DNA-based diagnostic tests, located in Alameda and Berkeley, CA, is looking for a statistical geneticist/biostatistican to join its multidisciplinary Complex Disease Group. The successful candidate will work on a variety of projects, including evaluation of whether candidate genes or haplotypes influence disease occurrence and analysis of mRNA profiling data. Responsibilities will also include review of potential publications for statistical accuracy and writing reports for in-house team members as well as outside collaborators. Qualifications for the position include familiarity with a wide range of statistical methods, such as ANOVA, logistic-regression analysis, survival analysis, linkage analysis, and multivariate analysis. Knowledge of genetics and experience in analysis genetic data are preferred. Proficiency in Splus or SAS is necessary. A Ph.D. or master's degree in statistics, biostatistics, statistical genetics, or genetic epidemiology is required. Good communication skills are required. Please submit your resume via e-mail to bonnie.fijal@roche.com

Clinical Geneticist.—The Eastern Ontario Regional Genetics Program is one of nine Regional Ontario Centres for Genetic Services in the Province. The program is located at the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), which is a 164-bed tertiary-/quaternary-care teaching hospital. The genetics program serves eastern Ontario and western Quebec, a catchment population of ∼1.4 million. We provide a broad range of clinical-genetics services with diagnosis and counseling, ranging from preconception through adulthood. A cytogenetics laboratory, a molecular-genetics laboratory, a maternal serum–screening laboratory, and a genetics metabolic service are formally integrated within our organizational structure. Construction of new consolidated space for our program is now underway. We are affiliated with the University of Ottawa Medical School, are accredited for service and training by the Canadian College of Medical Geneticists, and have a Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons residency program in medical genetics. Our integrated program provides many opportunities for research, including collaboration with our clinical and basic-science colleagues at several research institutes in the city. The successful candidate will be expected to participate in all the clinical and teaching activities of the program and to fully contribute to our leadership role in providing genetic services to eastern Ontario and western Quebec. In addition to the current economic growth in the region, you will find that Ottawa provides an excellent blend of cultural, educational, and outdoor opportunities. Interested applicants should be certified or eligible for certification in medical genetics by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons. Bilingualism (English/French) is a definite asset. In conformity with Canadian immigration regulations, preference will be given to qualified Canadian citizens. Please forward your curriculum vitae with a letter outlining your areas of special interest and/or expertise to Judith Allanson, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.P (United Kingdom), F.R.C.P.C., F.C.C.M.G., D.A.B.M.G., Medical Director, Eastern Ontario Regional Genetics Program, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, 401 Smyth Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L1; telephone: (613) 738-3606; fax: (613) 738-4822; e-mail: allanson@cheo.on.ca

Associate Research Scientist.—A position for an associate research scientist is available with the Columbia Genome Center. Prior training in the field of statistical genetics, with at least 3 years of postdoctoral training, is required. Knowledge of computer languages and statistical software—such as SAS, S-Plus, Perl, C/C++, and Genehunter—is also required. Experience in analyzing single-nucleotide polymorphism data is a plus. The primary work in this position is to perform statistical genetics studies—including linkage/association mapping of complex human diseases—and to develop new statistical methods. The current ongoing projects include bipolar disorder, breast cancer, celiac disease, and autism, among others. At the Genome Center, the successful candidate will interact with scientists with diverse backgrounds. Send your curriculum vitae and two or three letters of recommendation to Dr. Hank Juo, Columbia Genome Center, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, 1150 St. Nicholas Avenue, New York, NY 10032; e-mail: shj34@columbia.edu. Columbia University is an equal opportunity employer.

Assistant Professor.—The Division of Medical Genetics of the Department of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine is seeking candidates to fill a tenure-track assistant professor position. Responsibilities include clinical and educational activities of the Division. Applicants must have an M.D. or M.D./Ph.D. degree and must be board certified in both internal medicine and clinical genetics. Applicant must be eligible for medical licensure in Pennsylvania. The successful candidate is expected to conduct externally funded, independent research that is focused on identifying genetic predispositions to complex disease and documenting their clinical utility. The University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Women and minority candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Please submit a curriculum vitae, a letter of interest, and the names of three references to Reed E. Pyeritz, M.D., Ph.D., Professor and Chief, Division of Medical Genetics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, 538 Maloney Building, 3400 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104-4283; fax: (215) 614-0298; e-mail: reed.pyeritz@uphs.upenn.edu

Meetings

International DNA Sampling Conference.—The 3d International DNA Sampling Conference will be held in Montreal, Canada, September 5–8, 2002. The conference will be hosted by the Center for Research in Law of the University of Montreal, the Health Law Institute of the University of Alberta, and the Network for Applied Genetic Research of Quebec. This conference will bring together leaders, researchers and policy-makers to examine the following themes: “Population Genetics and Community Genetics,” “Research: DNA Sampling and Banking,” “Public and Private Databases,” “Discrimination,” “Benefit-Sharing,” and “Patents.” For additional information, please visit the conference Web site (http://www.humgen.umontreal.ca/conference/en/) or reach us by telephone at (514) 343-2142.

SNP and Complex Genome Analysis.—The 5th International Meeting on Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism and Complex Genome Analysis will be held October 11–14, 2002, in Reykjavik, Iceland. This meeting will cover many aspects of genome polymorphism and related analysis, including methods for detection and interpretation of DNA variation and linkage disequilibrium, population genetics, functional genomics applications, ethics, bioinformatics, and the study of human disease. Organizers include Anthony Brookes, Albert Smith, Jonathan Pritchard, and Stephen Sherry. The host sponsor is deCode Genetics. Deadline for registration and abstract submission is July 8, 2002. Registration fees are $350 for participants from industry, $250 for academic participants, and $100 for student participants. For registration and further information, see our Web site (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/IEB/Research/GVWG/SNP2002/).

Fellowship Opportunity

New Fellowship in Genetics and Public Policy.—This is a new 1-year fellowship program sponsored by the American Society of Human Genetics (ASHG) and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). It is designed for genetics professionals with an advanced degree who are early in their careers and are interested in the development and implementation of national genetics health and research policies. The fellowship, located in Washington, DC, will start as early as August 2002. The compensation package will be $50,000. Recipients will be assigned to specific projects under NHGRI staff supervision, will work with the executive vice president of ASHG on legislative issues, and will have the opportunity to work with the U.S. Congress. The formal request for applications will be available online at the ASHG (http://www.ashg.org/) and NHGRI (http://www.nhgri.nih.gov) Web sites. For immediate questions, please e-mail jboughman@ashg.org. The NIH and the ASHG are equal opportunity employers.