Job Summary

Postdoctoral Position in Theoretical & Computational Ecology and Evolution of Infectious Diseases

The He Lab at Purdue University (https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=WajKQtsAAAAJ&hl=en) is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join a project at the interface of theoretical disease modeling, molecular epidemiology and population dynamics. The position focuses on advancing a newly developed numerical framework that characterizes disease strain dynamics under antigenic diversification, immune-mediated selection, and transmission dynamics. The work will involve a combination of analytical modeling of stochastic processes and agent-based stochastic simulations. The position is funded for two years, with an ideal starting date from June, 2026.

If you are interested or have questions, please apply online. Please provide a document describing your research interests, past research experience, and the fit, and attach your CV and contact info for 2-3 references in one PDF. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

We offer:

• Freedom to develop independent research directions within the project scope
• Opportunities to interact and collaborate with other research groups working on the theory of eco-evolutionary dynamics
• Opportunities to collaborate on more applied projects in the lab
• Competitive salary and benefits aligned with NIH standards

Education Required Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant field (e.g., theoretical ecology/evolution, applied mathematics, epidemiology, physics, computational biology, or related discipline)

Experience Required Qualifications

• Strong background in mathematical modeling of biological systems, especially dynamical systems or stochastic processes
• Experience with computational modeling (e.g., Python, R, Julia, or C++)
• Familiarity with at least one of the following: Infectious disease modeling; population genetics; metapopulation models
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research and publish in peer-reviewed journals

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of basic immunology
• Interest in linking theoretical predictions to empirical disease estimations

FLSA Status Exempt