Positions
April 2026
The Xia lab will join the Biomedical Engineering Department at the UT Austin in August 2026. In our phenotype-centered computational biology laboratory, we aim to develop machine learning-based tools for novel biological and clinical discoveries. These discoveries are further validated experimentally and translated into clinical applications through collaborations with biologists and clinicians.
We focus on tissue microenvironments, virtual cells, and predictive precision medicine, leveraging machine learning and artificial intelligence techniques at the Texas Advanced Computational Center at UT Austin to analyze multimodal datasets, including genomics, proteomics, and imaging at single-cell resolution. Our research is dedicated to addressing human diseases, particularly cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Our work is funded by the NIH, DoD, and CPRIT. The lab is affiliated with the Oden Institute and Dell Medical School, with access to clinical data through collaborations with medical centers across the U.S., including UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and others.
Qualification Requirements
Applicants should hold a degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Computational Biology, Statistics, Genetics, Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, or a related field. Strong publication record, including first-author papers in peer-reviewed journals or top conferences.
We are recruiting candidates in two complementary tracks:
- (1) Computational / ML-focused track
Demonstrated experience in developing AI/ML models for biomedical applications, such as medical imaging, single-cell analysis, spatial omics, or multi-omics integration. Strong background in deep learning, representation learning, or foundation models is preferred. - (2) Biology / Clinical-focused track
Demonstrated experience using bioinformatics tools (e.g., single-cell and spatial omics) to study biological systems and disease mechanisms. Strong interest in translational research, particularly in areas such as prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, or neurodegenerative diseases.
We are looking for candidates who:
- Are highly self-motivated and intellectually curious
- Are interested in bridging computational and biological research
- Enjoy working in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment
Postdoctoral Fellows: Competitive salary and benefits
PhD Students: Openings for Fall 2027