POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE - Andersen Lab

About Us

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked as one of the most influential in the world for its impact on innovation. We celebrated our 100-year legacy in 2024. This significant milestone marks a century of seminal discoveries in immunology, infectious diseases (such as COVID-19, flu, HIV), neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, the institute houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top-ranked graduate school and a leading postdoctoral training program. Scripps Research encompasses two elite and highly innovative institutes, the Calibr-Skaggs Institute for Innovative Medicines and Scripps Research Translational Institute, which merge foundational studies in biology, chemistry and computer science with translational science to produce pioneering drugs and advances in digital and precision medicine. Together, we cultivate new scientific leaders and expand the frontiers of knowledge to deliver medical breakthroughs impacting human health around the globe.

Position Summary

The Andersen lab is working on diverse projects using genomics approaches and high-throughput experiments to study emerging viruses and the outbreaks they cause, including arenaviruses, filoviruses, coronaviruses, influenza viruses, orthopoxviruses, and arboviruses. We use an integrated approach of 'field' work, technology development, and computational biology to investigate these viruses. We are looking for a computational postdoc with experience and/or interest in developing AI-based tools for integration of diverse disease surveillance data to estimate disease burden, track pathogen dynamics, and guide public health decision making. Of most interest are candidates with experience in developing computational frameworks and tools for multimodal data integration, projection of infectious disease trends, optimization of response strategies, or LLM-assisted analyses and visualizations. This position is part of our larger initiatives, including Modjadji (https://modjadji.info/), PREVENT (https://preventcohorts.org), SEARCH (https://searchcovid.info/), Outbreak.info (https://outbreak.info/), and the Center for Viral Systems Biology (https://cvisb.org/).

Tasks

• Work closely with collaborators across multiple international institutions.
• Develop and deploy new statistical and artificial intelligence approaches for comprehensive pathogen surveillance across wastewater and clinical data streams.
• Utilize pre-existing resources and work with computational scientists and biologists to create new ways of openly disseminating data and analyses with a focus on global health.

Requirements

• Must possess a Ph.D., M.D., D. Phil., or equivalent degree in computational biology, epidemiology, biostatistics, computer science, or related field from a recognized institution of higher learning.
• A pending doctoral degree may be considered with approval of the Principal Investigator and Human Resources.

Compensation

Postdoctoral Associates will be hired following the National Institute of Health and California’s exempt salary guidelines, which provide for a starting range of $70,304- $75,353. Consideration will be given to experience that exceeds the listed requirements.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits Include Eligibility for retirement plans with employer contribution.
• Full suite of Health and Welfare plans including four medical plan options (including an HSA available option), dental, vision, life insurance, disability, EAP and more.
• Access to Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts.
• Free on-site Counseling Center which provides confidential counseling services to benefits-eligible employees.
• Paid Time Off - 5 days annually.
• Free, on-site parking.
• Pet Insurance.

EEO Statement

The Scripps Research Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote diversity of thought, culture and background in the fields of science. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic or status.