Post Doctoral Fellow - Virology

The Wan Influenza Systems Biology Lab is seeking applications for a Post Doctoral Fellow in Virology. Our lab integrates clinical, experimental, computational, and translational approaches to study influenza and SARS-CoV-2, aiming to improve vaccine and antiviral strategies, mitigate epidemic outbreaks, and enhance pandemic preparedness.

The lab is affiliated with the Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (School of Medicine), Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (College of Engineering), Department of Veterinary Pathobiology (College of Veterinary Medicine), Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases (CIEID), Bond Life Sciences Center, and Institute for Data Science and Informatics at MU. It is physically located at the MU Bond Life Sciences Center.

Our lab has access to a newly established large ABSL-2 animal facility for CIEID, designed for influenza transmission and vaccine efficacy studies with controlled humidity and temperature settings. We also utilize BSL-3 and ABSL-3 facilities at the Laboratory for Infectious Disease Research (LIDR), a 32,403 sq. ft. Regional Biocontainment Laboratory approved for work with select agents and toxins. MU’s core facilities—including Electron Microscopy, Proteomics, Metabolomics, Molecular Interaction, Cell & Immunobiology, DNA, Informatics Research, and Molecular Cytology—provide cutting-edge support for advanced imaging, proteomics, metabolomics, and computational modeling.

About the role

The successful candidate will contribute to projects in one or more of the following areas:

• Viral Transmission: Investigating molecular and biophysical mechanisms of virus aerosolization and airborne transmission. Developing animal models to characterize and predict viral spread in different environments.
• Vaccine Effectiveness and Precision Health Approaches: Exploring molecular mechanisms affecting vaccine performance and immune imprinting. Developing broadly protective vaccines to enhance immunity and prevent transmission.
• Virus Surveillance and Pathogen Discovery: Identifying emerging and re-emerging viral threats at the animal-human interface through pathogen discovery, genomic surveillance, and epidemiological studies.

The candidate will record methods, results, and other relevant information as instructed by the Principal Investigator, perform experiments, analyze data, and prepare manuscripts. The role requires high motivation and collaborative work within a diverse team. Professional growth is supported through mentorship, collaborations with leading researchers, and opportunities for grant writing and independent project development.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments and analyze data in virology, vaccine development, or pathogen surveillance.
• Develop and refine animal models for viral transmission and vaccine efficacy studies.
• Document research methods and results systematically.
• Prepare manuscripts for publication and present findings.
• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams across MU’s departments and core facilities.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in Virology, Microbiology, Infectious Diseases, or a related field.
• Previous experience in a virology lab.
• Strong motivation and ability to work collaboratively in a diverse team.

Benefits

This position is eligible for a comprehensive University benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Retirement benefits.
• Educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses.

Schedule

Regular hours, Monday–Friday, with flexibility for weekend/evening hours as required for experiments.

About Us

The Bond Life Sciences Center at the University of Missouri is an interdisciplinary hub where researchers—including engineers, cancer biologists, plant scientists, and IT specialists—collaborate to address challenges in human and animal health, the environment, and agriculture. Our mission is to transform scientific discoveries into actionable solutions that improve lives. The center fosters public engagement through initiatives like the Decoding Science blog, events, and social media.

Community Information

Columbia, Missouri, combines small-town friendliness with big-city features, offering a high quality of life. Located midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, it is home to the University of Missouri and boasts a low cost of living, diverse dining and entertainment options, and over a dozen annual festivals. Ideal for career growth, education, and retirement.