"Postdoctoral Scholar-Infectious Diseases & Vaccinology-School of Public Health"

The Pandemic and Epidemic Threat Analytics Lab (PETAL) at UC Berkeley School of Public Health is recruiting two Postdoctoral Scholars to advance quantitative research that lowers the risk of future epidemics and pandemics.

Working at the intersection of infectious disease modeling, viral phylodynamics, and public health decision support, you will work closely with Professor Charles Whittaker to co-create a research project that aligns your expertise with PETAL's mission and current research streams. These include modeling efforts focused on:

• Characterizing the evolution, ecology, and epidemiology of viruses with epidemic and pandemic potential (including dengue, yellow fever, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, Ebola, and Marburg).
• Supporting the design of novel pathogen surveillance systems with a focus on wastewater-based monitoring and metagenomic sequencing.
• Advancing the development of broad-spectrum medical countermeasures, particularly novel multivalent vaccines and antivirals.
• Evaluating the potential impact of interventions deployed in the built environment, such as far UVC and other efforts to improve indoor air quality.

You will join a diverse, open-science lab with a proven record of real-world impact and a strong commitment to supporting the career goals of lab members. PETAL's projects are conducted in close partnership with scientists and public health agencies across Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. These positions are expected to involve international travel for conferences, workshops, and collaborative visits.

This is a unique opportunity to shape global pandemic-preparedness research from first principles to implementation, and to translate cutting-edge analytics into tools and policies that strengthen preparedness and promote health equity worldwide.

We are seeking candidates who bring a blend of infectious disease insight and quantitative or computational skills. This may include experience in infectious disease modeling, viral phylodynamics, machine learning, statistics, or related analytic fields. What will matter most is your ability to work with data, some familiarity with public health and infectious disease-related questions, and your enthusiasm and commitment to PETAL's mission to use analytical tools in service of pandemic preparedness.

Note that you do not need to match every item to be a competitive candidate. If you have the drive, technical aptitude, and a passion for applying analytics to pandemic preparedness, we encourage you to apply.

Division: https://publichealth.berkeley.edu/academics/infectious-diseases-and-vaccinology

Lab: https://whittakerlab.com/

Position overview
Position title: Postdoctoral Scholar Employee
Salary range: The UC postdoc salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale: https://www.ucop.edu/academic-personnel-programs/_files/2025-26/represented-oct-2025-scales/t23.pdf. The current minimum salary range for this position is $69,073-$82,836. Salaries above the minimum may be offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.
Percent time: 100%
Anticipated start: October 2025
Position duration: The initial appointment is for two years with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding.

Qualifications
Basic qualifications (required at time of application): Doctoral degree (or equivalent international degree), or enrolled in a doctoral degree (or equivalent international degree) program.
Additional qualifications (required at time of start): Doctoral degree (or equivalent international degree). Candidates should have no more than three years of post-degree research experience by the start date.
Preferred qualifications: Doctoral in epidemiology, biostatistics, computational biology, applied mathematics, computer science, or a related quantitative field. Strong coding skills in R, Python, or similar, plus experience analysing infectious-disease data or building transmission models. A track record of completing and communicating research projects (e.g., peer-reviewed papers, open-source software, policy reports).

Application Requirements
Document requirements: Curriculum Vitae, Cover Letter (1-2 Pages), Research Statement.
Reference requirements: 2-5 required (contact information only).
Apply link: https://aprecruit.berkeley.edu/JPF04994
Help contact: cwhittaker@berkeley.edu