Postdoctoral Fellow in Virus Evolution, Spillover, and Phylodynamics at NIH National Institutes of Health in United States

A postdoctoral fellow position is available in the group of Dr. Martha Nelson at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), located in Bethesda, Maryland. The research focuses on virus evolution and spillover, particularly at the human-animal interface, using advanced Bayesian phylodynamic approaches and large-scale genomic data. The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team of international scientists working on emerging pathogens such as H5N1 avian influenza and coronaviruses.

The NIH's Division of Intramural Research (DIR) at the National Library of Medicine (NLM) is a leader in computational health research and computational biology. The postdoctoral scholar will analyze how rapidly evolving RNA viruses transmit and evolve, contributing to real-world intervention strategies to break transmission cycles. The position is strictly computational, with no fieldwork or lab work required, and is part of a longstanding government-academic partnership involving multiple federal agencies and academic institutions.

Applicants should have or be close to obtaining a Ph.D. in computational biology, computer science, bioinformatics, molecular biology, or a related field. Essential skills include experience with Bayesian phylodynamic analysis (especially BEAST software), fluency in R, Python, or similar programming languages, and experience with genomic data from pathogens. Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced, international team are required. U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible foreign nationals are welcome to apply, subject to a background investigation.

The NIH offers a competitive salary (based on postdoctoral experience) and comprehensive health insurance. The initial appointment is for one year, renewable annually for up to five years. The NIH is committed to the continued education and career development of its research staff. For more information about NIH postdoctoral fellowships and stipends, visit the provided links.

To apply, candidates should submit an updated CV, a statement of research interest, and contact information for three references to Dr. Martha Nelson at the provided email address. Please include 'Post-doctoral Inquiry' and your last name in the email subject line. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.