POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE - Andersen Lab

Scripps Research; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 70,304 - 75,353; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plans with employer contribution

Health and welfare plans

On-site Counseling Center

Paid Time Off

Free parking

Pet Insurance

Job summary

Scripps Research in San Diego is seeking a Postdoctoral Associate to work on diverse genomic projects related to emerging viruses. The role involves developing AI tools for data integration and disease surveillance, collaborating with international teams to enhance public health responses.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent in a related field. The position offers a competitive salary of $70,304–$75,353 along with comprehensive benefits, including health plans and a retirement plan.

Qualifications

• Must possess a Ph.D., M.D., D. Phil., or equivalent degree in computational biology, epidemiology, biostatistics, computer science, or related field.
• A pending doctoral degree may be considered with approval.

Responsibilities

• Work closely with collaborators across multiple international institutions.
• Develop and deploy new statistical and AI approaches for pathogen surveillance.
• Utilize resources to create new ways of disseminating data and analyses.

Skills

AI-based tools development

Computational frameworks

Multimodal data integration

Statistical analysis

Data visualization

Education

Ph.D., M.D., D. Phil., or equivalent degree in relevant field

Job description

Scripps Research is a nonprofit biomedical institute ranked among the world’s most influential for its impact on innovation. With a 100‑year legacy, the institute focuses on immunology, infectious diseases, neuroscience, heart disease, cancer, and more. Located in La Jolla, California, it houses six research departments, multiple Nobel laureates, a top‑ranked graduate school, and a leading postdoctoral training program.

POSITION TITLE: Postdoctoral Associate

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/). Candidates will be co‑mentored by senior researchers in the Andersen lab, Dr. Karthik Gangavarapu and Dr. Joshua Levy.

Tasks Will Include

• 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.

Postdoctoral Associates are appointed positions for the purpose of developing scholarly competence, working under the supervision of a Scripps Research Faculty member. These appointments are normally not renewed beyond a total of five years. Postdoctoral Associates cannot apply for external funding either as a Principal Investigator or Co‑Principal Investigator without prior approval from a Departmental Chair. Postdoctoral Associates do not have consulting privileges.

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 Institutes 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.

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.

The above statements describe the level of work performed and expected in general terms. The statements are not intended to list all the responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of employees so classified, and the content herein is subject to change due to the business needs of Scripps Research, with or without notice. Furthermore, nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to be in conflict with or to eliminate or modify in any way the employment‑at‑will status of Scripps Research staff.