Numerous observational studies have shown that diet is an important lifestyle factor that can trigger various metabolic conditions, ultimately affecting our health and lifespan. Yet, large inter-individual variation in chronic disease risk has been observed in response to dietary interventions. Research utilizing both classic nutritional epidemiology and novel molecular approaches linking nutrition with genetics, epigenetics, transcriptomics, proteomics and metabolomics is necessary to elucidate the observed variability in the relationship between diet and human health.

We are seeking an outstanding candidate to work on several projects that focus on how diet interacts with the human genome to affect the risk of developing age-related chronic disease. The postdoctoral fellow will carry out independent research and participate in projects that 1) perform genome-wide multiple omics association analysis examining overall diet quality and individual dietary components; 2) study genome-wide, diet-gene interaction for age-related phenotypes; 3) improve and/or apply novel analytical approaches to develop predictive algorithms for diet-related chronic diseases.

This postdoc fellow will analyze a broad range of data including data from randomized controlled feeding trials, observational cohort studies, and clinical intervention studies. The mentoring and training will be under the direction of Dr. Jiantao Ma, Assistant Professor, whose research program focuses on nutriepigenomics and diet-gene interaction. Under his leadership, the post-doctoral fellow will also work with a multi-disciplinary team including public health experts, medical doctors, nutritionists, epidemiologists, and biostatisticians/modelers. Major emphasis will be placed on leading original analyses, writing manuscripts, career development, and transition toward an independent research career. A competitive salary, benefits, and travel/educational opportunities in the interdisciplinary environment at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy are offered.

This position is anticipated to be for 2 years, with potential extension conditional on funding and performance. International candidates are encouraged to apply but must be able to work in the U.S.   This position is based at the Friedman School of Nutrition Science and Policy at Tufts University, Boston, MA.