Research Scientist - School of Medicine, Department of Microbiology and Immunology

Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world‑class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

The Zarnitsyna lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Emory University School of Medicine is recruiting for a new multidisciplinary project on respiratory virus transmission. The project combines video-recorded ferret transmission experiments with machine learning–based behavioral tracking and mechanistic mathematical modeling to determine how contact behavior, contact duration, fomite sharing, and viral shedding together shape infection risk. The long‑term goal is to translate this framework to human challenge studies and household cohorts to inform evidence‑based mitigation strategies.

This position focuses specifically on the mathematical modeling component: building and fitting mechanistic models that link the behavioral tracking data to infection outcomes and viral dynamics.

The Zarnitsyna lab invites applications for a Research Scientist to work with Dr. Veronika Zarnitsyna on mechanistic modeling of respiratory virus transmission, integrating behavioral data from ferret transmission experiments with within‑host viral dynamics. The successful candidate will develop within‑host and between‑host models of infection and transmission, apply Bayesian and likelihood‑based inference methods to fit them to experimental data, and work collaboratively with graduate students, postdocs, and faculty from multidisciplinary fields.

Writing papers, presenting at meetings, and mentoring students are also part of the role. The position can start immediately.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develops biochemical and cell‑based assays, with the use of such assays to perform high throughput screening of small molecule libraries.
• Develops and executes lower throughput biochemical or cell‑based assays for structural optimization of hit compounds.
• Hands‑on bench scientist.
• Communicates with biomedical investigators and medicinal chemists.
• May supervise staff.
• Performs related responsibilities as required.

ADDITIONAL JOB DETAILS:

• Develops mechanistic mathematical models of infectious disease dynamics and transmission.
• Performs computational simulations and quantitative analyses using R, Python, or Julia.
• Applies statistical inference methods to estimate model parameters from experimental data.
• Collaborates with experimental and computational research groups.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor's degree and seven years of related experience or equivalent combination of experience, education and training. Strong technical background.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience with dynamical systems, stochastic modeling, or statistical inference (Bayesian methods, MCMC, maximum likelihood).
• Familiarity with infectious disease modeling, within‑host viral dynamics, or immunology.
• Demonstrated record of scholarly research, including peer‑reviewed publications.
• Communication skills sufficient for working with members of a diverse, multidisciplinary research group.

NOTE:

Position tasks are generally required to be performed in‑person at an Emory University location. Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in…