Research Scientist - School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Emory • Atlanta, GA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

The Zarnitsyna lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Emory University School of Medicine is recruiting a Research Scientist for a multidisciplinary project on respiratory virus transmission. The project combines video-recorded ferret transmission experiments, machine learning–based behavioral tracking, and mechanistic mathematical modeling to examine how contact behavior, contact duration, fomite sharing, and viral shedding shape infection risk. Its long-term goal is to translate this framework to human challenge studies and household cohorts to inform evidence-based mitigation strategies.

The position focuses on mathematical modeling, integrating behavioral data from ferret transmission experiments with within-host viral dynamics. The Research Scientist will develop and fit mechanistic models linking behavioral tracking data to infection outcomes and viral dynamics; develop within-host and between-host models; and apply Bayesian and likelihood-based inference methods to experimental data. The role also involves computational simulations and quantitative analyses, collaboration with graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and research groups across disciplines, writing papers, presenting at meetings, and mentoring students. The position can start immediately. Tasks are generally performed in person at an Emory University location; remote-work-from-home days may be granted at department discretion, and Emory may change remote-work status with notice.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of experience, education, and training.
• Strong technical background.
• Communication skills sufficient for working with members of a diverse, multidisciplinary research group.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with dynamical systems, stochastic modeling, or statistical inference, including Bayesian methods, MCMC, or maximum likelihood.
• Familiarity with infectious disease modeling, within-host viral dynamics, or immunology.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly research, including peer-reviewed publications.

Responsibilities

• Develop mechanistic mathematical models of infectious disease dynamics and transmission, including within-host and between-host models.
• Integrate behavioral tracking data from ferret transmission experiments with within-host viral dynamics and infection outcomes.
• Perform computational simulations and quantitative analyses using R, Python, or Julia.
• Apply statistical inference methods, including Bayesian and likelihood-based approaches, to estimate model parameters from experimental data.
• Collaborate with experimental and computational research groups and multidisciplinary colleagues.
• Write papers and present research at meetings.
• Mentor students.
• Perform related responsibilities as required.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior