CDC-funded postdoc in infectious disease modeling at Johns Hopkins

[Alison Hill]

We are seeking multiple postdoctoral researchers to join the Johns Hopkins University Infectious Disease Dynamics Group (http://www.iddynamics.jhsph.edu) and Justin Lessler’s group in the UNC Department of Epidemiology to contribute to efforts part of the Center for Accelerating Modeling Utilization and Synthesis (CAMUS), a new CDC-funded project to build sustained capacity and implement modeling of infectious diseases. We are seeking a motivated PhD-level scientist to contribute to multiple research, applied modeling, and training workstreams aimed at expanding and sustaining capacities in infectious disease modeling, application, and communication.

CAMUS is intended to meet the critical need to establish permanent centers of expertise in applied infectious disease modeling, to maintain and expand on advances made during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to advance training programs for modelers and public health professionals, before the next pandemic. To accomplish this, this project is focused on two overarching objectives: (1) accelerating the applied use of modeling in public health, and (2) developing a workforce capable of implementing these techniques, interpreting the results, and communicating them with the public health community and public. As part of this project, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with a broad team across Johns Hopkins University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Massachusetts-Amherst, as well as with the CDC and their other partner institutions.

Working under the supervision of Shaun Truelove (JHU), Elizabeth Lee (JHU), Alison Hill (JHU), and Justin Lessler (UNC), along with other team members, the successful applicant would have the following responsibilities:

• Lead scenario projection modeling and forecasting of COVID-19 and influenza, coordinating and contributing to the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub (https://covid19scenariomodelinghub.org) and Forecast Hub (https://covid19forecasthub.org)
• Develop novel methods for producing multi-model ensembles
• Evaluate models and their outputs
• Develop their own independent research projects
• If desired, the postdoc will also have the opportunity to develop and lead training activities and short courses.

The successful candidate should have the following qualifications:

• PhD and research experience in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health, or a related field
• Experience in the management of large-scale research, scientific, medical, or academic projects
• Programming experience in collaborative settings. The ideal candidate would have experience in writing packages in R and/or Python, familiarity with unit and integration testing, and be fluent in the use of version control systems like Git.
• Highly motivated, organized, and comfortable leading project staff to meet deadlines
• Demonstrated competency in liaising between multiple project leads and institutions

Successful candidates will be expected to eventually be based in Baltimore, MD, though remote work may be acceptable and necessary during periods of time.

Interested candidates should send their CV/resume and cover letter to Maya Demby (mdemby1@jhu.edu).

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