Research Scientist - School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
About The Position
The Zarnitsyna lab in Emory University’s Department of Microbiology and Immunology 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, including building and fitting mechanistic models that connect behavioral tracking data to infection outcomes and viral dynamics. Working with Dr. Veronika Zarnitsyna, the successful candidate will develop within-host and between-host models of infection and transmission, apply Bayesian and likelihood-based inference methods to experimental data, and collaborate with graduate students, postdocs, and faculty across disciplines. Writing papers, presenting at meetings, and mentoring students are also part of the role. The position can start immediately. Candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Zarnitsyna with a CV, a brief statement of research interests, and contact information for three references. The posting also lists responsibilities involving biochemical and cell-based assays, high-throughput screening of small-molecule libraries, hit-compound optimization, hands-on bench science, and communication with biomedical investigators and medicinal chemists. The position tasks are generally performed in person at an Emory University location; remote-work days may be granted at department discretion, and Emory reserves the right to 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.
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.
- Communication skills sufficient for working with members of a diverse, multidisciplinary research group.
Responsibilities
- Develop within-host and between-host models of infection and transmission.
- Build and fit mechanistic models linking behavioral tracking data to infection outcomes and viral dynamics.
- Apply Bayesian and likelihood-based inference methods to fit models to experimental data.
- Collaborate with graduate students, postdocs, and faculty from multidisciplinary fields.
- Write papers and present at meetings.
- Mentor students.
- Develop biochemical and cell-based assays and use them for high-throughput screening of small-molecule libraries.
- Develop and execute lower-throughput biochemical or cell-based assays for structural optimization of hit compounds.
- Perform hands-on bench science.
- Communicate with biomedical investigators and medicinal chemists.
- May supervise staff.
- Perform related responsibilities as required.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
