PhD opportunities: Developing AI and Machine Learning Methods for Infectious Disease Modeling

The Lau Lab in the Department of Biostatistics and Bioinformatics at Emory University is seeking 1-2 highly motivated PhD candidates to work on cutting-edge research at the intersection of statistical modeling, artificial intelligence, and infectious disease epidemiology. This position focuses on developing novel statistical, mathematical, computational and machine learning/AI methods—with a particular emphasis on deep learning approaches—to improve our understanding and prediction of infectious disease dynamics. Projects are also strongly grounded in real-world public health applications, including pandemic preparedness, outbreak forecasting, and integrating diverse data sources to inform decision-making.

Position Details
• Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in statistics, computer science, applied mathematics, or a related quantitative field
• Strong interest in infectious disease dynamics and public health applications
• Proficiency in R and Python; experience with C/C++ or Java is a plus

Research Environment
This position offers a highly collaborative and interdisciplinary environment, with close mentorship from Dr. Max Lau, and opportunities to work with leading experts including:
• Dr. Wei Jin (Computer Science)
• Dr. Ben Lopman (Epidemiology)
• Dr. Katia Koelle (Evolutionary Biology)
PhDs will be supported in professional development, including conference travel, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and publishing in high-impact journals.

Application Instructions

1. Interested applicants please email Dr. Max Lau at msy.lau@emory.edu
2. Application deadline is December 1. For ongoing updates and detailed instructions, please refer to our website: https://sph.emory.edu/degrees-programs/phd/biostatistics#chapter=admissions