Looking for a bioinformatics expert?

What I have to offer:

• A balanced background in both biology (BSc) and computer science (BCS)
• Soon to be completed PhD
  
• Extensive research experience in bioinformatics, genomics, phylogenetics/phylogenomics, evolution, and bacteria pathogenesis
• Some previous research experience in medical imaging, ontology development, and metagenomics
  
• An impressive publishing record (7 papers, 3 first authors, 2 more first authors under review)
  
• Solid computational skills including Perl programming, database design (MySQL), parallel programming, and web design (PHP & JavaScript)
• Good communication and social skills
  
• More information

What I am looking for:

• Post-doc or job (academic or industrial)
• Preferably, a position where I have some significant manager or leadership responsibilities
  
• Geographically interested in north eastern parts of North America (Ottawa down to New York), but would entertain positions elsewhere in N.A.

I didn't put any limitations on research interests, since I am open to many areas. However, anything having to due with the human microbiome project, human-bacteria interactions, or metagenomics would be of particular interest.

Please email me if you are interested or if you have suggestions on some good openings.

Airports & Interviews

Quick question: Why do people line up or huddle around an airport gate before they are called to board? The plane is not leaving until everyone has boarded, so why would you want to sit even longer in a cramped up airplane than is absolutely necessary?

I contemplated these questions and other airport mysteries (like who would pay a $38 service fee for changing Canadian to US currency) while recently sitting in airports for 7 hours and 5 hours on two separate trips.

Fortunately, both flights were worth while since one was a flight home where home made meals and warm fireplaces greeted my new family of 3 and the second was for a job that I am quite interested in at Boston. Luckily, another interview I had arranged did not require a flight so my sanity was slightly saved.

I would say that both interviews went fairly well, and overall I actually enjoyed the experience. Doing a PhD (or any large project I suppose), you tend to lose sight of the accomplishments that you have made along the way. Getting a chance to present my work to an audience that is genuinely interested (not just lab mates that have to be in attendance) does not happen that often and even though it can be a bit stressful, I usually find it rewarding.

My New Little Scientist

My first baby was born on Nov. 5th weighing in at 7lbs. After much debate during the pregnancy my wife and I decided to name him Gavin Nathaniel Langille. The first week was tiring of course, but I don't think I really noticed due all the excitement and the newness of it all. However, now that I am in the middle of the second week it is starting to catch up with me!

One thing about having the baby is that I am very focused on finishing my PhD and I am in serious job hunt mode. People keep asking me about what type of position I am looking for. The most likely is a post-doc in academia, but I haven't ruled out taking a job in industry. I have at least one post-doc position and one bioinformatics scientist position industry that I plan on applying by next week.

I would have to say that the biggest limitation for job hunting is location. Having a baby really is drawing me to move closer to home, Atlantic Canada, but I am still keeping a fairly wide search distance down to the Boston area.