Postdoctoral Fellows

Bakel Lab member preparing samples and sequencing workflow

The Bakel Lab is seeking highly motivated postdoctoral fellows to join a multidisciplinary environment spanning pathogen genomics, developmental genomics, and computational biology. Ongoing projects include large-scale genomic surveillance of respiratory viruses and healthcare-associated infections, host–pathogen evolution, and systems-level analyses of craniofacial and developmental biology.

Postdoctoral researchers work at the interface of next-generation sequencing, clinical data integration, and quantitative analysis, contributing to projects within the Mount Sinai Pathogen Surveillance Program, SARS-CoV-2 evolution studies, influenza surveillance networks, and developmental genomics initiatives. Candidates with expertise in genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, microbiology, virology, or related fields are encouraged to apply.

Experience with high-throughput sequencing data analysis, statistical modeling, or large clinical datasets is highly valued.

harm.vanbakel@mssm.edu
Email a CV, a brief research statement, and contact info for three references.

Associate Researcher — Sample Acquisition & Next-Generation Sequencing

Bakel Lab members conducting sample processing and laboratory work

We are recruiting an Associate Researcher to support specimen acquisition, laboratory workflows, and next-generation sequencing projects within our pathogen surveillance and genomics programs. This role bridges clinical operations, molecular laboratory work, and data generation, contributing directly to large-scale sequencing efforts across bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens.

Responsibilities include coordination of sample acquisition and biobanking, preparation of sequencing libraries, quality control, and participation in experimental workflows that support real-time genomic surveillance and translational research. Ideal candidates will have experience with molecular biology techniques, sequencing platforms, and collaborative research environments involving clinical or public health data.

harm.vanbakel@mssm.edu
Email a CV and references.

Bioinformatics Staff Positions

The lab welcomes applications from skilled bioinformaticians and research data scientists interested in large-scale genomic analysis, pipeline development, and clinical data integration. Current efforts involve whole-genome sequencing, pathogen evolution, host–pathogen interactions, and analysis of multi-omic datasets across surveillance and developmental projects.

Successful candidates will contribute to scalable analysis pipelines, database design, and reproducible computational workflows that support ongoing studies in viral evolution, antimicrobial resistance, and systems genomics. Experience with next-generation sequencing analysis, scripting/programming, and collaborative software development is strongly preferred.

harm.vanbakel@mssm.edu
Email a CV and references.

Graduate Students and Rotations

Graduate students interested in genomics, computational biology, infectious disease, or developmental biology are encouraged to contact the lab about rotation opportunities. Students can participate in projects ranging from pathogen surveillance and viral evolution to developmental genomics and transcriptomic profiling.

Prospective students should reach out with a brief description of research interests and relevant experience.

harm.vanbakel@mssm.edu
Include your program, timing, and what you’re hoping to rotate on.