Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Global Health

Position Overview

Duke Kunshan is a highly selective liberal arts university based in Kunshan, China, that offers a range of high quality, innovative academic programs for students from around the world. It was established in September 2013 as a U.S.-China partnership between Duke University and Wuhan University. The city of Kunshan, in Jiangsu province, is one of China’s fastest-growing economies and is a hub for high-tech research and manufacturing. The city is surrounded by picturesque forests and water towns, and is also connected by high-speed rail and subway to Shanghai and Suzhou, two of China’s most dynamic cities.

The postdoctoral research fellow will conduct original research using theoretical, computational, and statistical methods for topics related to the spread and/or evolution of infectious diseases of humans and/or wildlife. Topics of particular interest include host contact behavior, host immune defenses related to preventing, managing, or tolerating infection, host heterogeneity, and pathogen virulence evolution. The fellow will contribute to the mentoring of undergraduate researchers as well as the communication of results through conference presentations and peer-reviewed manuscripts.

This position is intended to last two years with the possibility of renewal, depending on performance and availability of funds.

Reports to

Jason Walsman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Global Health

Essential Duties

• Conduct original research under the mentorship of Professor Walsman.
• Develop resources for and provide mentoring to undergraduate researchers.
• Communicate results, e.g., through conference presentations and peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Continue professional development appropriate to the fellow’s professional goals.
• Work toward achieving assigned annual objectives and KPIs, demonstrating accountability for performance and results.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• University employees' job responsibilities will continue to expand in scope and depth as the University grows in size and complexity in its programs.

Required Qualifications

• Ph.D. or equivalent in Biology, Ecology, Public Health, Applied Mathematics, or similar field.
• Experience writing scientific manuscripts.
• Experience constructing and analyzing mathematical models of population-level and/or evolutionary processes related to disease spread.
• Experience with one of the following data analysis methods (or similar): Generalized Linear Mixed Models, Bayesian Regression, Approximate Bayesian Computing, Partially Observed Markov Processes.
• Experience programming mathematical or statistical analyses relevant to the above.
• Excellent written and spoken academic English.
• (Optional) Experience mentoring undergraduate researchers.
• (Optional) Excellent written and spoken Mandarin.
• (Optional) Experience conducting experiments or field work on infectious diseases.

Education

Ph.D. or equivalent in Biology, Ecology, Public Health, Applied Mathematics, or similar field.

Years of Related Working Experience

Excellent fresh graduate will be considered. 1-2 years' related work experience are preferred.