The Department of Epidemiology is seeking a postdoctoral research fellow with a record of accomplishment in infectious disease transmission (mathematical/mechanistic) modeling research to contribute to studies seeking to examine demographic, behavioral, and environmental factors that facilitate or prevent influenza transmission in households, using combined data from multiple prospective household cohort studies.

Primary responsibilities include the design and conduct of household simulation models to analyze longitudinal cohorts, as well as the preparation of scientific manuscripts as lead and co-author. There may be opportunities available for collaboration on a range of funded studies in the area of infectious disease dynamics, as well as for participation in the preparation and submission of extramural research grants.

This position, funded by a National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Disease grant, will be under the supervision of Dr. Andrew Brouwer, a computational epidemiologist whose research leverages mathematical and statistical modeling for inference in epidemiology, and Dr. Joseph Eisenberg, an infectious disease epidemiologist and transmission modeler with global and domestic research and an interest in environmental determinants of transmission. The University of Michigan has a vibrant and dynamic intellectual community for infectious disease research, including the Michigan Center for Respiratory Virus Research and Response, the Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats, the Michigan Integrated Public Health Center of Outbreak Analytics and Modeling, among others.

Responsibilities

• Data management: Manages the organization, documentation, merging, cleaning, and storage of complex population datasets. Creates final analytic datasets.
• Data analysis and modeling: Designs and executes complex data analyses and simulation models. Independently interprets results, including creation of data tables, visualizations, and reports for presentation.
• Manuscript preparation: Conceptualizes and contributes to the writing of scientific manuscripts as lead author and co-author.
• Collaboration and mentorship: Provide collaborator feedback and supplementary mentorship to master's- and PhD-level students engaged in related research projects.
• Grant preparation: Assists in acquiring extramural research funding, including the technical portions of grant proposals.

Required Qualifications

• Doctorate in epidemiology or other public health science. Applicants with PhD in computational or quantitative fields (statistics, applied mathematics, etc.) are encouraged to apply if they meet the other criteria. Applicants must have a conferred doctorate degree prior to the start of the fellowship.
• A record of accomplishment in infectious disease modeling research, as evidenced by publications, presentations, and training.
• Prior training or research in simulation modeling, parameter estimation, and uncertainty quantification.
• Proficiency in programming in R (preferred) or Python. Excellent skills in data management and analysis, data visualization, and scientific communication.

Desired Qualifications
The following qualifications are not required or expected but should be highlighted in the application materials if present.

Prior experience in household transmission models.
Prior experience with models of influenza or other respiratory viruses.