Postdoctoral Scholar – Research-Pediatrics – Memphis, Tennessee

Postdoctoral research positions are available in the Department of Pediatrics and the Institute for the Study of Host-Pathogen Systems at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) in Memphis, TN in the lab of Dr. Amber Smith. Postdocs will develop and analyze mathematical models of the immune response to influenza virus infections and coinfections. The Smith lab is a dual dry/wet laboratory and uniquely generates robust data sets to train and validate model predictions. Successful candidates will develop and analyze dynamical infection models, use parameter estimation to investigate experimental and clinical data, help design new experiments, and generate new hypotheses about infection biology.

Application Instructions: Please send a brief statement of research interests and CV to amber.smith@uthsc.edu

Qualifications

The ability to work well in a fast paced, collaborative, medically focused research environment are also preferred. Experience and willingness to work closely with experimental collaborators and design experiments is also highly desired. The position requires independent, career-focused, and creative individuals.

• Ph.D. in Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, Physics, Engineering, or a related field

• Prior experience in modeling viral infections, bacterial infections, and/or immune response dynamics

• Experience with parameter estimation techniques and data-driven modeling

• Proficient programming skills in Python and/or Matlab

• Excellent oral and written communication skills

Applicants should have a demonstrated commitment to and knowledge of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action.

The University of Tennessee Health Science Center is the flagship statewide, public, academic health institution in Tennessee. Founded in 1911, the mission of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center is to improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and the global community by fostering integrated, collaborative, and inclusive education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and public service. Employing more than 4,600 people on its faculty, staff, and not-for-profit corporation faculty practice groups, and with more than 3,200 students across the state, UTHSC contributes $4 billion to the economy of Tennessee.

Part of the University of Tennessee System, the Health Science Center is headquartered in Memphis and includes all six of UT’s doctoral-degree-granting health science colleges — Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing, Graduate Health Sciences, and Health Professions. UTHSC spans the state with its four major, regional clinical health science locations in Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Nashville, as well as more than 100 clinical education sites across Tennessee. UTHSC is the largest educator of health care professionals in the state and operates the state’s largest residency and fellowship advanced training programs.

Located in West Tennessee on the banks of the Mississippi River, Memphis is the second-largest city in the state and among the largest cities in the Southeast. The Greater Memphis metropolitan area has more than 1.3 million residents, and the city ranks among those with the lowest cost of living in the country. It is home to a vibrant restaurant scene, a revitalized Downtown, the Midtown Arts District, many scenic neighborhoods, an active medical district, and a burgeoning airport in the midst of a $214 million modernization.

Memphis boats attractions, including Elvis Presley’s Graceland, the Memphis Grizzlies, historic Beale Street, the National Civil Rights Museum, the second-largest urban county park in the United States, and the Memphis in May World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest.