POSTDOC POSITION IN VIRAL DYNAMICS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM MODELING

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH ASSOCIATE POSITION IN VIRAL DYNAMICS AND IMMUNE SYSTEM MODELING

Ruian Ke, Carmen Molina-París, Alan S. Perelson and Ruy M. Ribeiro
Theoretical Biology and Biophysics Group, LOS ALAMOS NATIONAL LABORATORY

Summary: We are offering 1-2 postdoctoral level positions to pursue research in mathematical and theoretical biology, with emphasis on problems in viral dynamics and immune system modeling. Our interests span a wide range from basic immunology, cell and molecular biology, treatment of viral infections to transmission dynamics. We develop models in collaboration with experimental scientists that generate new insights into the dynamics of viral infections, the immune response and virus-immune system interactions. We have standing collaborations with many experimental immunologists and clinicians, and help them develop new experiments, interpret their data and generate new hypotheses about the biology. Much of our current work and available data involves HIV/SIV infection, hepatitis B, influenza and SARS-CoV-2 infection although we also have projects involving other viruses such as hepatitis C, Zika virus and hemorrhagic fever viruses. Although the position may formally be with one of us, we work as a team with strong interactions between all of us and postdoctoral researchers.

Skills: We are looking for enthusiastic scientists with mathematical, statistical and machine learning skills, and a strong interest in viral dynamics and/or immunology. Preference will be given to candidates with research experience in the core areas of the group’s research; a track record of publications; and commitment to work to the high LANL standards, including attending required training. The candidate should have good programming skills, good working knowledge of one or more mathematical or statistical packages (e.g., Mathematica, Matlab, R, Monolix, …) and excellent English (both written and oral). Working knowledge of machine learning is a plus, but not required.

Education: A PhD degree within the last 5 years (at the date of appointment). The specific subject of one’s PhD degree is not restrictive, but usually a PhD in applied mathematics, physics, statistics, computer or computational science, or mathematical biology is appropriate. A person with a PhD degree for more than 5 years is not eligible for a postdoctoral position at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

Benefits: Los Alamos National Laboratory offers a generous and comprehensive benefits package and current salary guidelines start at ~US$ 90,000, with adjustments for experience and time since PhD. This position is initially for two years, with the possibility to renew for a third year. We are always interested in hearing from more accomplished candidates, who may be considered for prestigious Laboratory Fellowships named after Oppenheimer, Feynman, Curie, … and have starting salaries of ~ US$ 120,000. For more general information about the postdoctoral program at Los Alamos, please visit the Laboratory’s web pages at http://www.lanl.gov, or the Postdoctoral Program web pages at https://www.lanl.gov/careers/career-options/postdoctoral-research/index.php.

Application Procedure: For initial consideration and more details about the scientific areas of research, send an e-mail including your CV and brief statement of interest to asp@lanl.gov, ruy@lanl.gov, molina-paris@lanl.gov and rke@lanl.gov. Formal applications at https://lanl.jobs/ , search keyword IRC117272. We will only reply to candidates whose applications we are interested in pursuing further. After initial screening, transcripts and 3-4 letters of recommendation may be requested, followed by an interview.

This position will be open until filled; subject to funding availability and eligibility for employment. Only the Laboratory’s Human Resources Department can make an offer of employment. Start date is negotiable. Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunities employer, and all interested parties are encouraged to apply, especially women and minority.