Postdoctoral Associate Position to Study the Dynamics of Immunity to SARS-CoV-2

A postdoctoral associate position in infectious disease epidemiology and statistical/mathematical modeling is available at the Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health in collaboration with the Department of Biology and the Emerging Pathogens Institute at the University of Florida.

Environment
The Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases at the Yale School of Public Health has a tradition of applying advanced laboratory and analytical approaches to integrated community and patient-based investigations for the purpose of delineating the transmission dynamics and evaluating interventions to emerging and neglected infectious diseases, such as Zika, dengue and leptospirosis. It has played a leading role in the public health and research response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the US and internationally.

Job description
We are seeking a postdoctoral associate to design and conduct longitudinal studies of SARS-CoV-2 infection in Brazil and apply statistical and mathematical modeling approaches to elucidate immunological correlates of protection. Dr. Albert Ko, Professor of Epidemiology and Medicine at the Yale School of Public Health, and Dr. Derek Cummings, Professor of Biology at the University of Florida, have initiated a prospective study that leverages a large community-based cohort in the city of Salvador, Brazil which has been followed since 2002 and experienced high rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection and subsequent COVID-19 vaccination during the pandemic. With our collaborator, Dr. Akiko Iwasaki, Professor of Immunobiology at the Yale School of Medicine, we are performing in depth characterization of the mucosal and systemic immune responses in this population. The overall goal of the study is to identify the immunological features at the population level which may drive the transition of SARS-CoV-2 transmission from epidemicity to endemicity. The postdoctoral associate will be based at the Yale School of Public Health and work under the supervision of both Drs. Ko and Cummings. The postdoctoral associate will also have opportunities to conduct similar investigations within on-going prospective studies, conducted by the collaborative team, in the Yale New Haven Health system. The main objectives for the postdoctoral position are to design longitudinal studies that address the study aims, work closely with the field team at the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Brazilian Ministry of Health to elaborate study protocols and implement them at the cohort site, develop statistical and mathematical models, and conduct the longitudinal analyses. The position aims to develop multidisciplinary skills in epidemiological study design, community-based primary data collection, and transmission dynamic modeling. The position is ideal for candidates who are experienced in quantitative analyses and want to apply these skills in a global health setting.

Required skills and qualifications:
• PhD in one of the following areas: epidemiology, mathematics, statistics, immunology, physics, computer science, population biology or a similarly quantitative discipline.
• Research experience with mathematical and/or statistical models.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interest in infectious disease epidemiology.
• Ability to collate and analyze data, interpret and present results to a high standard using a range of specialized research techniques.
• Good knowledge of R.
• Ability to work independently but also as part of a larger interdisciplinary research team.

This will be a one-year appointment with the possibility to extend, should both parties agree.
To apply, please submit a CV, statement of interest, and contact information for 3 references.
Please apply online: http://apply.interfolio.com/116852

For questions, please email Albert Ko (albert.ko@yale.edu) or Derek Cummings (datc@ufl.edu).
Yale University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. Yale values diversity among its students, staff and faculty and strongly welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, protected veterans, and underrepresented minorities.