Postdoctoral Research Associate in Mathematical Biology

Iowa State University • Ames, IA

2d

About The Position

The Department of Mathematics at Iowa State University invites applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Research Associate position, with the possibility of extension to a third year contingent upon available funding. The researcher will join Professor Claus Kadelka's mathematical biology research program. Candidates should have defined research interests in mathematical biology, with areas including systems biology, gene regulatory networks, infectious disease modeling, and behavioral epidemiology.

Current projects investigate how the structure and dynamics of biological regulatory networks shape biological function, including the NSF-funded projects Canalization and Other Design Principles of Gene Regulatory Network Models and A Mathematical Theory for the Biological Concept of Modularity. Other projects develop mathematical and computational models that account for heterogeneity in human behavior, contact patterns, and individual-level characteristics, and study their effects on population-level disease dynamics. The specific research direction will be based on the successful candidate's expertise and interests, with flexibility to pursue new questions in these areas.

The position includes a 2-1 teaching load and mentoring undergraduate students in research through Iowa State Math Research Teams (ISMaRT). The Department of Mathematics offers research, teaching, and student-mentorship opportunities in a collaborative academic community with active externally funded research programs across a broad range of mathematical disciplines.

Requirements

• PhD in Mathematics or a closely related discipline by the appointment start date.

Nice To Haves

• Strong research record in areas aligned with Professor Claus Kadelka's interests, including discrete dynamical systems, network science, computational systems biology, infectious disease modeling, or related fields.
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and collaborate effectively in an interdisciplinary research environment.
• Experience teaching undergraduate mathematics courses and mentoring students in research.
• Experience publishing scholarly research and communicating research findings to scientific audiences.
• Experience programming in Python.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in mathematical biology, with the specific direction shaped by the candidate's expertise and interests.
• Contribute to research on biological regulatory networks, systems biology, infectious disease modeling, behavioral epidemiology, or related areas.
• Teach with a 2-1 teaching load.
• Mentor undergraduate students in research through Iowa State Math Research Teams (ISMaRT).

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Vacation, holiday, and sick time and leave plans
• Onsite childcare in Ames, Iowa
• Life insurance
• Long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
• WorkFlex options for some positions

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree