About the Opportunity SUMMARY The Laboratory for the Modeling of Biological and Sociotechnical Systems (MOBS Lab), led by Professor Alessandro Vespignani, is hiring research scientists of all levels to join a community of interdisciplinary faculty, researchers, and graduate students. Positions will range from early career to senior level roles, to include ranks of: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Associate Research Scientist, Senior Research Scientist, and Principal Research Scientist. Successful candidates will become a core member of the Network Science Institute, as well as have an affiliation with an academic department commensurate with background and expertise. The MOBS Lab’s research is aimed at developing innovative mathematical models and computational tools to better characterize, understand, and anticipate large-scale complex networks and systems. RESPONSIBILITIES Researchers will be integrated into the vibrant intellectual community of the Institute, including ample opportunities for scientific collaborations, grant proposals, graduate student training/ advising, workshops, etc. The individuals filling these positions will also be expected to actively participate in the Institute community by organizing and attending scientific talks, workshops, conferences, and engaging with our distinctive PhD program in Network Science by working with doctoral trainees. Researchers will work on projects that target the construction, calibration, and validation of disease-specific models contributing to actionable forecasts and scenario analyses, alongside the development of behavioral data collection tools for use during public health emergencies. Researchers are expected to provide input to methodological and algorithmic approaches for the characterization of infectious diseases and develop research questions related to the main challenges of the project. Senior and Principal Research Scientists are expected to contribute to existing research programs, as well as develop independent projects, collaborations, and funding opportunities. They will be expected to gradually forge their way to research independence, moving from full support to a salary primarily funded through external awards over the course of 3 years. Key responsibilities include: Assist with initiating, executing, and completing research projects. Develop, refine, and validate models of infectious disease dynamics to support public health partners. Integrate epidemiological and behavioral data into infectious disease transmission models. Collaborate with interdisciplinary team members and project leaders. Prepare and write research papers, presentations, and grant proposals. QUALIFICATIONS PhD in physics, complex systems, network science, or related field required by appointment start date. The candidate must have significant computational and applied statistical skills that can be applied to the modeling and forecasting the spread of infectious diseases. They must be able to handle, process, and analyze large datasets of epidemic indicators, such as data from surveillance of cases, cellular phone, mobility patterns. Candidates from a wide range of academic backgrounds and disciplines are encouraged to apply. Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, attention to detail, as well as training in research methodology and quantitative data analysis, are essential to a successful candidate. Experience with writing proposals and project management experience are a plus. Ability to communicate and coordinate with multiple senior researchers from different fields; ability to undertake substantially full-time research or scholarship; work under the supervision of a senior scholar. Experienced candidates, who will be considered for more senior positions, must demonstrate progressively more responsible experience and ability to plan and execute research; independent research work evidenced by publications, inventions, or equivalent efforts; supervisory, budgetary, and general administrative skills. NETWORK SCIENCE INSTITUTE The Network Science Institute is a world class research and training Institute dedicated to creating synergy among faculty expertise, across departments and colleges, with shared computing infrastructure, active lecture series and vibrant collaborative research opportunities. The Institute is located at 177 Huntington Ave, next to the Prudential center and the South End neighborhoods, and a short walk to Northeastern’s main campus. Research scientists will have full access to computing resources, internal seed grants, active speaker series, professional development activities, and be integrated into the community with support for grant management, graphic design, and a wide range of collaborative opportunities. The Institute is a joint initiative between the College of Social Science and Humanities, the Bouvé College of Health Sciences, Khoury College of Computer Sciences, and the College of Science. The Institute embraces diversity and seeks candidates who can contribute to a welcoming climate for students, researchers, staff and faculty of all races, ethnicities, genders, and identities. We believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential components of academic excellence, and we strongly encourage women and underrepresented minorities to apply, as well as those whose research addresses themes of gender, sexuality, race, ethnicity, and/or disparities in access to resources or outcomes. Position Type Research Additional Information Northeastern University considers factors such as candidate work experience, education and skills when extending an offer. Northeastern has a comprehensive benefits package for benefit eligible employees. This includes medical, vision, dental, paid time off, tuition assistance, wellness & life, retirement- as well as commuting & transportation. Visit https://hr.northeastern.edu/benefits/ for more information. Northeastern University is an equal opportunity employer, seeking to recruit and support a broadly diverse community of faculty and staff. Northeastern values and celebrates diversity in all its forms and strives to foster an inclusive culture built on respect that affirms inter-group relations and builds cohesion. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. To learn more about Northeastern University’s commitment and support of diversity and inclusion, please see www.northeastern.edu/diversity. Founded in 1898, Northeastern is a global research university and the recognized leader in experiential lifelong learning. Our approach of integrating real-world experience with education, research, and innovation empowers our students, faculty, alumni, and partners to create worldwide impact. Our global university system provides our community and academic, government, and industry partners with unique opportunities to think locally and act globally. The system—which includes 14 campuses across the U.S., U.K., and Canada, 300,000-plus alumni, and 3,000 partners worldwide—serves as a platform for scaling ideas, talent, and solutions. The university’s residential campuses for undergraduate and graduate degrees are located in Boston, London, and Oakland, California. Our research and graduate campuses are in the Massachusetts communities of Burlington and Nahant; Arlington, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Miami; Portland, Maine; Seattle; Silicon Valley, California; Toronto; and Vancouver. Northeastern’s personalized, experiential undergraduate and graduate programs lead to degrees through the doctorate in 10 colleges and schools across our campuses. Learning emphasizes the intersection of data, technology, and human literacies, uniquely preparing graduates for careers of the future and lives of fulfillment and accomplishment. Our research enterprise, with an R1 Carnegie classification, is solutions oriented and spans the world. Our faculty scholars and students work in teams that cross not just disciplines, but also sectors—aligned around solving today’s highly interconnected global challenges and focused on transformative impact for humankind.