Boston University, School of Public Health
Position ID:
Position Title:
Multiple Post-doctoral Fellows, Departments of Biostatistics and Global Health
Position Location:
Boston, Massachusetts 02118, United States of America
Subject Areas:
Appl Deadline:
2025/07/01 11:59PM
(posted 2025/01/29, listed until 2025/07/29)
(posted 2025/01/29, listed until 2025/07/29)Position Description:
Position Description
The Departments of Biostatistics and Global Health at the Boston University School of Public Health are looking to hire multiple postdocs who will have unique opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research in either or both of the following areas: 1. Statistical modeling of infectious disease transmission and burden; and/or 2. Vaccine epidemiology, infectious disease modeling, and causal inference. The successful applicants will be primarily mentored by Dr. Laura White (Professor of Biostatistics) and Dr. Kayoko Shioda (Assistant Professor of Global Health). They will also be a part of “Epistorm: Center for Advanced Epidemic Analytics and Predictive Modeling Technology”, which is a part of the first national network for outbreak analytics and disease modeling assembled by the CDC’s Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics. Led by Dr. Alessandro Vespignani of Northeastern University, Epistorm is a multi-organization, collaborative project bringing together researchers from Northeastern University, Boston University, the University of California San Diego, Los Alamos National Laboratory, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Indiana University, the University of Florida, and Ginkgo Bioworks, as well as several hospital networks. This postdoc position at Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) offers numerous opportunities to be involved in projects led by Dr. White and Dr. Shioda including those in the Epistorm consortium. The postdoc will have opportunities to learn from multiple mentors. The postdoc will be able to expand their professional network among academic institutions, state/federal public health agencies, and hospital networks by being a key part of BUSPH, Epistorm, and the CDC’s Outbreak Analytics and Disease Modeling Network as well as the BU Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases Policy & Research (CEID), Population Health Data Science Program (PHDS), and Hariri Institute for Computing. Duration: Two years with possible extension A. More descriptions of each project More details on the two main projects are described below. Postdocs can choose to work on both or either of them. Postdocs will also have opportunities to be involved in or lead other research projects in related areas if interested. 1. Statistical modeling of infectious disease transmission and burden led by Dr. White The objective of this project is to further methodology to better understand real (or near real) time dynamics of an infectious disease. This includes estimation of the reproductive number, serial interval, and other parameters related to transmission dynamics while accounting for missing data, mobility patterns, and reporting delays. The project can include development of software to implement methods, as well as further development of methodology, primarily in a Bayesian framework. There is also potential to work on other projects that Dr. White leads related to tuberculosis transmission dynamics and developing models to understand its spread among key populations. The postdoctoral fellow will have opportunities to work with experts in both fields, interact with departments of public health and participate in research with international collaborators in South Africa. 2. Vaccine epidemiology and causal inference led by Dr. Shioda Our objective is to build a solid infrastructure for real-time assessment of vaccine effectiveness and safety in the general population, using causal inference approaches and target trial emulation. In collaboration with state public health agencies, we will tackle two significant challenges in real-time vaccine evaluation: 1) issues with linking public health data from different sources and 2) analytic challenges associated with evaluating multidose vaccines. The postdoc fellow will lead method development and data analysis in close collaboration with the state department of public health. The postdoc will have opportunities to travel to meet with state public health practitioners and discuss data collection and analysis. B. Additional opportunities for research, teaching/mentoring, and career development Postdoctoral fellows will have opportunities to publish multiple peer-reviewed articles as the first author and co-authors. Postdoc fellows will present findings at department seminars and domestic and/or international conferences. The primary mentors support postdoctoral fellows to gain new relevant skills, such as infectious disease modeling and causal inference, by facilitating their participation in short courses and workshops both within and outside BU (e.g., SISMID). BU/BUSPH offer an array of workshops and courses on computing skills (R, python, Linux, HPC cluster) and quantitative skills (machine learning, infectious disease modeling) that postdoc fellows can attend at no cost. They will have opportunities to attend in-person and/or online meetings with the Epistorm consortium and CDC’s Outbreak Analytics and Disease Modeling Network to learn about research and public health practices and expand their professional network. For interested applicants, the position also has the potential for grant writing and teaching opportunities (e.g., guest lecturing in introductory Biostatistics or infectious disease modeling courses at BUSPH.). The position will also allow for mentoring and supervision of doctoral, MS, and/or MPH students at BUSPH. BU offers a number of workshops on scientific writing, grant writing, teaching/mentoring, and career developmentthat postdoc fellows can attend to gain new skills. In addition to primary mentors (Dr. White and Dr. Shoida), postdocs can select a career mentor in the Department of Global Health or Department of Biostatistics at BUSPH with whom they can have quarterly meetings to get advice on career development. C. Required qualifications Competitive applicants will have the following qualifications but will also consider those with relevant and related training and interests. ● PhD or equivalent doctoral degree in statistics, biostatistics, epidemiology, public health, ecology, quantitative biology, or any other related fields with strong computing skills ● Strong experience with any of the following: ○ Bayesian statistics ○ Machine learning methods ○ Causal inference ○ Vaccine epidemiology research ○ Infectious disease modeling ● Strong programming skills in R and/or python ● Highly self-motivated, reliable, and have excellent communication and writing skills ● Can work independently with minimal supervision ● Ability to learn new methods and skills D. Desired qualifications ● Experience with Linux cluster computing environment is strongly preferred. ● Experience with large administrative datasets is preferred. E. Benefits and support offered by BU BUSPH offers competitive benefits and comprehensive support packages for postdoctoral fellows, along with significant opportunities for professional development. To learn more about the array of benefits and support available, please visit the BU Human Resources page, BU Benefits Handbook, and BU Professional Development & Postdoctoral Affairs page. Proposed salary: $70,000 BUSPH believes that the cultural and social diversity of our faculty, staff, and students is vitally important to the distinction and excellence of our research and academic programs. We are eager to recruit colleagues who support our commitment to ensuring BU is inclusive, equitable, diverse, and a place where all community members can thrive. F. Application Interested applicants should submit their curriculum vitae, a cover letter detailing research experience, and contact information for three references to Academic Jobs Online. Applications will be considered until the positions are filled.BU prohibits discrimination and harassment against any individual on the basis of race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex (including that based on sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, pregnancy or related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and marital or parental status), age, national origin, ethnicity, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or because of military service or veteran status, in accordance with all Applicable Laws.
Application Materials Required:
Submit the following items online at this website to complete your application:
- Cover letter
- Curriculum Vitae
- Three references (no actual letters, just names and email addresses )
And anything else requested in the position description.
Further Info: