Postdoctoral Research Associate

About the Opportunity

This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified.

JOB SUMMARY

We are looking for a highly motivated and skilled research scientist to join our team and conduct cutting-edge research on disease dynamics and epidemiological modeling. The candidate will develop and apply mathematical and computational models to understand the transmission, evolution, and control of infectious diseases. They will collaborate with other researchers, public health agencies, and stakeholders to provide insights and guidance for disease prevention and intervention strategies. The candidate will join the Machine Intelligence Group for the Betterment of Health and the Environment (MIGHTE) led by Prof. Mauricio Santillana.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in a quantitative field such as mathematics, statistics, physics, computer science, engineering, epidemiology, or related disciplines;

• Strong background and experience in mathematical and computational modeling of infectious disease dynamics, preferably with applications to emerging or re-emerging diseases;

• Proficiency in programming languages such as R, Python, MATLAB, C++, or similar tools for data analysis and model development;

• Experience in working with large and complex datasets from diverse sources such as surveillance systems, genomic sequences, social media, etc.;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, with the ability to convey complex technical concepts to both scientific and non-scientific audiences; and

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced and interdisciplinary research environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES

Research and Analysis (50%)

• Design, develop, and implement mathematical and computational models for disease transmission dynamics

• Analyze large-scale epidemiological datasets using statistical and machine learning methods

• Conduct systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses on disease dynamics topics

• Develop and validate predictive models for disease outbreak scenarios

• Perform sensitivity analyses and uncertainty quantification for model parameters

• Collaborate on multi-disciplinary research projects with epidemiologists, clinicians, and public health experts

Data Management and Computational Work (10%)

• Clean, process, and manage complex epidemiological and clinical datasets

• Develop and maintain computational pipelines for data analysis workflows

• Create reproducible research code and documentation using version control systems

• Implement quality assurance protocols for data integrity and analysis accuracy

• Maintain databases and ensure compliance with data security and privacy regulations

Scientific Communication and Dissemination (20%)

• Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals

• Present research findings at national and international conferences

• Create visualizations and infographics to communicate complex results to diverse audiences

• Write technical reports and policy briefs for stakeholders and funding agencies

• Contribute to grant proposals and funding applications

Collaboration and Mentorship (10%)

• Work collaboratively with interdisciplinary research teams

• Mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research methods and analysis

• Participate in laboratory meetings, journal clubs, and departmental seminars

• Engage with external collaborators, including government agencies and international organizations

• Contribute to the development of new research initiatives and partnerships

Professional Development and Service (10%)

• Stay current with advances in disease dynamics, epidemiological