Postdoctoral Fellow I

Utah State University; Logan (UT); On-site; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Utah State University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in KAABiL Lab to investigate genome-scale host-pathogen interactions and develop integrative pipelines for targeted therapeutics against avian influenza. The role focuses on systems biology, data integration, and algorithm development within a dynamic research team.

The position is funded for 2 years (possible extension) and offers competitive benefits. Strong programming skills and a Ph.D.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, Math/Stats, or related field.
• Proficient in Python, R, Java, C/C++, or Perl; comfortable with Linux/UNIX.
• Ability to independently solve problems and communicate well.
• Strong teamwork and self-learning abilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop systems bioinformatics approaches, including ML-based methods, for host-pathogen networks.
• Integrate diverse data and model host-pathogen interactions across strains.
• Perform in silico drug target identification and candidate screening.
• Conduct structure-based virtual screening and MD simulations.
• Build a public database and intuitive UI to support hypothesis testing.

Skills

Python

R

Java

C/C++

Perl

Linux/UNIX

Education

PhD in Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, Math/Stats, or related field

Job description

Overview

Project Description: The Kaundal Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Bioinformatics Lab, KAABiL (https://kaabil.net/) at the Center for Integrated BioSystems (CIB), Department of Plants, Soils, & Climate, Utah State University (USU), is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow under the recently awarded grant to investigate the mechanisms of Host-Pathogen interactions on a genome scale. The project, entitled “Decoding the Poultry-HPAI Interactome: An Integrative Pipeline for Targeted herapeutics Against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza” will address the mechanisms of pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutics to address HPAI control in poultry (e.g. comparative analysis of multiple host-pathogen Protein Interaction Networks (PINs) that may allow us to identify conserved mechanisms of pathogen cellular invasion), and (ii) provide bioinformatics solutions / tools to curate and visualize such PINs in a user‑friendly way, leading to advance host‑targeted antiviral discovery. This position is for 2 years but may be longer contingent upon funding and performance.

Responsibilities

• Develop systems bioinformatics approaches including Machine Learning-based to decipher host-pathogen interaction networks in diverse Avian and HPAI strains.
• Focus on system and data integration, algorithm development and computational modeling of the interactions among pathogen proteins and host proteins using diverse data types or properties.
• Specific responsibilities include: (i) Comprehensive computational mapping of avian-HPAI host‑pathogen interactions, including proteomic and transcriptomic approaches, (ii) In silico drug target identification and therapeutic candidate screening, e.g.
• Structure‑based computational screening using molecular docking, highthroughput virtual screening, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and (iii) Implementation of a public database and predictive tool development, an intuitive UI for hypothesis testing and exploratory research.
• In addition, the candidate is also expected to explore the applicability of these tools on relevant host‑pathogen interaction systems.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, Math/Stats, or related life sciences field.
• Programming skills with Python, R, Java, C/C++, or Perl, and efficiency in Linux / UNIX operating systems.
• Independent problem-solving skills.
• Have good communication skills, strong team‑work spirit, and self‑learning abilities

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. degree in Computational Biology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Computer Science or highly related field.
• Experience in developing Machine Learning-based models and large‑scale data analysis systems.
• Knowledge about PINs, graphical models such as the dynamic Bayesian networks.

Document size may not exceed 10 MB.

Advertised Salary

Commensurate With Experience, Plus Excellent Benefits

ADA

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

University Highlights

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land‑grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level in 16 sports, USU is a proud member of the Pac‑12 Conference, officially joining on July 1, 2026. The Aggies capped a historic final season in the Mountain West by capturing nine combined regular‑season and tournament titles in 2025–26, with five teams advancing to postseason play. This tradition of excellence extends to the classroom, where 232 student‑athletes earned academic honors, and to the community, where USU ranked second nationally in Division I service hours, with nine teams placing in the top 10 for community service.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

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