Senior Computational Research Scientist

Department

BSD E&E - Administration

About the Department

The Cobey Lab is looking for several quantitative Senior Computational Research Scientists to investigate the adaptive immune response to influenza, especially understanding its impacts on individual protection and pathogen epidemiology and evolution. A background in nonlinear dynamics, physics, statistics, machine learning, evolution, epidemiology, or another quantitative field is required. Projects include (a) modeling the longitudinal dynamics of individual immune responses after infection and vaccination, (b) examining variability in individuals’ responses after multiple exposures and inferring correlates of protection, (c) developing methods to measure vaccine effectiveness in different populations, and (d) predicting pathogen dynamics. These projects involve close collaboration with epidemiologists, immunologists, ecologists, and evolutionary biologists, including through the NIH-funded Collaborative Influenza Vaccine Innovation Consortium (CIVIC), the Centers for Excellence in Influenza Research and Response (CEIRR), and other NIH-funded research projects, as well as collaboration with the CDC and other public health agencies. Background in immunology is not necessary. There is substantial opportunity to shape the direction of research and develop new projects and collaborations.

Job Summary

The job has deep specialized knowledge for developing methods and software tools to analyze and interpret biological data.

Responsibilities

• Design and perform reproducible computational and statistical analyses related to the lab’s research.

• Summarize research results in writing (scientific publications, progress reports) and oral presentations at meetings and conferences.

• Develop new statistical and programming skills and expertise with literature relevant to research project.

• Collaborate with the PI to assist in managing the research project, including training and mentoring students, postdocs, and other researchers; setting project goals; and coordinating research with investigators outside the lab.

• Develop new research projects to enhance existing collaborations and develop new ones.

• Develop programs to perform analyses and generate both routine and ad hoc reports.

• Designs and perform formal evaluation of informatics methods and products.

• Provides expertise to biomedical informatics related concepts, applications, and tools.

• Improves development of training, tools, and process documentation.

• Performs other related work as needed.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Minimum requirements include a college or university degree in related field.

Work Experience:

Minimum requirements include knowledge and skills developed through 7+ years of work experience in a related job discipline.

Certifications:

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Preferred Qualifications

Education:

• PhD in related quantitative field, such as statistics, epidemiology, physics, ecology, evolution, or computer science.

Experience:

• 7 years of research experience.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong quantitative skills, including in statistical inference.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Commitment to rigorous and reproducible research.

• Experience managing projects with multiple collaborating labs, including delivering results on deadline.

Working Conditions

• The role requires the ability to travel to meetings in the United States and abroad, including occasional lab retreats and meetings, if otherwise working remotely. (Travel expenses for research meetings outside Chicago will be covered).

Application Documents

• Resume/CV (required)

• Cover Letter (required) describing qualifications and research interests

When applying, the document(s) MUST be uploaded via the My Experience page, in the section titled Application Documents of the application.

Job Family

Research

Role Impact

Individual Contributor

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Drug Test Required

No

Health Screen Required

No

Motor Vehicle Record Inquiry Required

No

Pay Rate Type

Sal