Job Details
Postdoctoral Research Fellow/Research Scientist/Senior Research Scientist, commensurate with experience
The Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases (CIEID) at the University of Missouri is seeking an outstanding scientist to join and strengthen an expanding interdisciplinary research program in influenza aerosol biology and airborne transmission. Depending on experience, qualifications, and demonstrated scientific independence, the successful candidate may be appointed at the Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Research Scientist, or Senior Research Scientist level.
The successful candidate will participate in major NIH-supported research on influenza transmission, including a multidisciplinary P01 program as part of the NIAID Influenza Transmission Research Consortium (ITRC) and complementary NIH R01-supported research. Together, these programs integrate human studies, controlled animal transmission models, aerosol science, virology, immunology, engineering, and quantitative analysis.
A major goal of our research is to understand why infected hosts differ in the amount and infectivity of virus released into aerosols, why exposure results in infection in some recipients but not others, and why different influenza viruses vary in their capacity for airborne transmission. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise or strong research interests in aerosol science, aerosol biology, respiratory transmission, or related areas. Prior experience specifically with influenza is desirable but not required.
Research Opportunities and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will contribute to interdisciplinary research investigating the mechanisms that govern influenza transmission, including how viral, host, immune, aerosol, and environmental factors shape infectiousness, susceptibility, and airborne transmission. Responsibilities and the level of scientific leadership will be tailored to the candidate's experience, expertise, and appointment level and may include:
- Designing, conducting, and contributing to mechanistic studies of influenza transmission in human studies and controlled animal models, as appropriate to the candidate's expertise and research interests.
- Investigating viral, host, immune, and environmental determinants of infectious virus shedding, aerosol generation, recipient susceptibility, and airborne transmission.
- Studying the generation, properties, transport, and fate of respiratory aerosols, including particle-size distributions, infectious virus content, aerosol stability, airflow, particle transport, and other factors relevant to transmission.
- Developing and applying experimental, engineering, and quantitative approaches to airborne transmission. Depending on the candidate's expertise and research interests, these may include bioaerosol sampling, aerosol instrumentation, particle characterization, airflow measurements, computational fluid dynamics, and mathematical or mechanistic modeling.
- Integrating virologic, immunologic, aerosol, clinical, environmental, and transmission data to identify mechanisms and determinants of influenza transmission.
- Working collaboratively across virology, immunology, aerosol science, engineering, human studies, animal models, and quantitative modeling, while analyzing data and contributing to manuscripts, presentations, collaborative publications, and grant-related scientific activities.
Responsibilities and scientific leadership will be commensurate with experience, ranging from hands-on research and career development at the postdoctoral level to scientific leadership, mentorship, and development of new research directions at the Research Scientist and Senior Research Scientist levels.
To apply, please submit your application to cieid@missouri.edu, including the following:
- Cover letter describing relevant research experience and interests
- Curriculum vitae
- Brief statement of research interests
- Contact information for three professional references
Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. All inquiries regarding the position should be directed to cieid@missouri.edu.