What are the responsibilities and job description for the Postdoctoral Fellow: Evolution, ecology and spillover of emerging viruses position at National Institutes of Health and Careers?
A postdoctoral position on the evolution, ecology and spillover of emerging viruses is available in the Virus Ecology Section within the Laboratory of Virology. The laboratory studies the ecology of high- and maximum-containment RNA and DNA viruses.
About the position
The Virus Ecology Section is interested in identifying and understanding the drivers of zoonotic transmission for emerging viruses. The laboratory uses a combined field ecological and experimental laboratory approach to understand the emergence of novel viruses and develop successful medical countermeasures against these viruses. Fundamental experimental approaches of the laboratory include bioinformatic-, molecular-, cellular-, immunological-, and aerobiology-based techniques along with animal models of pathogenesis and transmission. Studies are carried out in biosafety level (BSL) 2, BSL-3, and BSL-4 laboratories. Successful applicants will be part of a diverse and multidisciplinary team focused on understanding the molecular and ecological determinants of spillover from natural reservoir species (e.g. bats and rodents) to humans and the determinants for onward human-to-human transmission. Candidates are expected to study population-based determinants involved in zoonotic and human-to-human transmission of newly identified emerging viruses (including orthopox-, orthomyxo-, corona-, arena-, filo-, and henipaviruses) and the development and implementation of next-generation sequencing (NGS) wet-lab and bioinformatics pipelines in resource limited settings in Africa and Asia.
What you'll need to apply
Applicants should send their:
- curriculum vitae (CV)
- research statement expressing career goals and interests
- three letters of reference
Contact name
Laura Kendl
Contact email
laura.kendl@nih.gov
Qualifications
Highly motivated candidates who have an exceptionally strong background in computational biology and infectious disease and/or protein structure-function modeling are encouraged to apply. Experience using advanced Bayesian phylodynamic approaches and generation of large-scale genomic pathogen discovery data (HiSeq, MiSeq, ONT) is required. The post-doctoral scholar will perform data analyses within a holistic interdisciplinary team of scientists who conduct fieldwork and experimental studies on emerging pathogens. Work will be focused on established international programs in the Republic of the Congo and ICER sites in Uganda and Cambodia ( https://www.niaid.nih.gov/about/international-centers-excellence-research ). Well-developed oral and written communication skills are essential. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. in computational biology, virology, molecular biology, or another appropriate discipline and have less than two years of postdoctoral experience.
Disclaimer/Fine Print
The position is contingent upon the ability of candidates to meet all criteria necessary to work in BSL4, including a background check and medical qualifications.
U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply.