The BIA Lab is new. The people who join now aren't just members. They are founding scientists of a field that is only now becoming possible.
We are looking for people who want to develop the Computational Architecture of Living Systems.We welcome people from any quantitative field. What we look for is the kind of person who, when told something can't be done, asks why not? and then goes and figures it out. People energised by problems without solutions, who treat "we don't know" as an invitation.
You want to invent, not just apply. You reach for first principles when a tool doesn't exist yet.
You are drawn to hard, messy data. Terabyte-scale imaging and biological noise excite rather than deter you.
You care about biological meaning. The computation is a means. Understanding how cells encode and transmit decisions is the end.
You finish things. Ideas are cheap; tools that thousands of researchers use are not.
Curious about the scientific challenge we're tackling? Read about it here →
We'd rather you know this now than six months in.
None of these are flaws. They describe many excellent scientists working in the right environment for them.
Every position is a founding role. The people who join in the next two years will shape what this lab becomes.
Build the computational foundations of biological organisation
We are looking for someone with a research vision: frustrated by the limits of existing frameworks and with ideas about what to build next. Real input into which problems we pursue, independence to develop that vision, and mentorship to position you for the career you want. Reach out early.
Build the software infrastructure of next-generation computational biology
Our tools are used by researchers worldwide. You will make architectural decisions that matter for years, not just maintain someone else's code. We want engineers who think like scientists: who read papers before reaching for libraries, and care about why as much as how.
Come see if this is home
Rotations are always welcome. No prior connection needed. Come work on a real project and see if the environment fits.
Most people join an established laboratory.
A few people help build one.
Even fewer help create an entirely new way of thinking about living systems.
Those are the people we hope to meet.
We keep first contact simple. Strong candidates are contacted within two weeks.
Explore our publications and tools. Ask yourself: where could you push the needle?
CV and a 1-page research vision: what you want to work on and why BIA is the right place. That is all we need to start a conversation. Referees and research statements come after interview.
Submit below, or email felix.y.zhou@vanderbilt.edu with subject [Position] – Application.
A 45-minute conversation to find genuine mutual fit. Finalists are invited for an on-site visit.
For position enquiries, collaborations, or anything else.