Postdoctoral Associate: Virginia Tech’s NSF Center for Community Empowering Pandemic Prediction and Prevention from Atoms to Societies (COMPASS Center) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate with expertise in machine learning and computational biology. This role focuses on developing advanced computational methodologies to enhance our understanding of virus-host interactions at genetic, molecular, and cellular levels, contributing to groundbreaking research in pandemic prediction and prevention.
Designation
Postdoctoral Associate
Research Area
- Machine Learning
- Computational Biology
- Pandemic Prediction and Prevention
Location
Blacksburg, Virginia
Eligibility/Qualification
- PhD in Machine Learning, Computational Biology, Bioinformatics, Computer Science, or a related discipline (PhD must have been awarded no more than four years prior to the effective date of appointment with a minimum of one year eligibility remaining).
- Expertise in advanced machine learning methods (e.g., transformers, LLMs) applied to biological sequence data.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a demonstrated ability to innovate in computational biology.
- Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and R, along with experience in machine learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Scikit-learn).
- Proven ability to publish in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
- Excellent communication skills and experience collaborating in interdisciplinary teams.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with data integration, database management, and computational pipeline development.
- Background in viral genomics or evolutionary biology.
- Familiarity with cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Google Cloud, or HPC environments).
Job Description
The successful candidate will be responsible for:
- Developing and applying modern machine learning algorithms and computational tools to analyze viral sequence datasets.
- Integrating publicly available and center-specific viral genomic datasets with literature-curated information.
- Investigating viral genome evolution to gain insights into host specificity, pathogenicity, drug resistance, and environmental persistence.
- Collaborating with researchers across various disciplines including virologists, computational biologists, and environmental engineers.
- Engaging in science communication and community outreach related to pandemic research.
- Preparing high-quality manuscripts for publication and presenting findings at scientific conferences.
- Contributing to the development of research proposals and grant applications for the NSF COMPASS Center’s mission.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following:
- A cover letter detailing research experience, career goals, and fit for the position.
- A curriculum vitae (CV) including a list of publications.
- Contact information for three professional references.
Last Date to Apply
Open until filled (Review Date: March 1, 2025)
Join us in our mission to predict and prevent pandemics through innovative research at Virginia Tech’s NSF COMPASS Center!
