Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Listed on 2026-08-05
-
Research/Development
Research Scientist, Data Scientist
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
Position Overview
The Machado Lab evaluates and develops computational epidemiological methods integrating disease evolution, animal movement, and spatial processes to estimate transmission and spread. We develop new tools for tracking spread and prescribing non-pharmaceutical interventions. This position will co-lead the development of new mathematical disease spread models that analyze the propagation of swine diseases and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) at farm and barn levels across multiple states.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop multiscale spatial mathematical models (e.g., Pigspread, MHASpread) and calibrate them onto curated data (e.g., animal movement, weekly disease occurrence, genetic sequences, on-farm biosecurity).
- Quantify the role of individual transmission routes to spread between and within commercial poultry farms and swine operations.
- Evaluate controls, biosecurity strategies, and assess the role of ventilation systems as alternative biocontainment control interventions.
- Work with extensive population datasets on swine and large commercial poultry-producing states.
- Prepare peer-reviewed publications and collaborate effectively with animal health departments, USDA, poultry veterinarians, and swine producers.
Requirements and Preferences
Work Schedule
- Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Department Required Skills
- Experience in Python, R, or other open-source related statistical software. Practical experience with building transmission models, particularly those that are process-based and mechanistic. Previous work related with fitting model to data. Evidence of original publications in the peer-reviewed literature. Good communication and ability to work independently or in collaboration.
Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education
- Previous experience with multiscale mathematical models is highly considered. Background in epidemiology, disease spread modeling, evolutionary epidemiology, and social networks are also assets.
Recruitment
Anticipated Hiring Range - $65,000
Job Open Date - 03/13/2026
(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).