Research Technical Specialist, School of Medicine - Microbiology & Immunology

The Zarnitsyna lab in the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at Emory University School of Medicine is recruiting for a new multidisciplinary project on respiratory virus transmission. The project combines video-recorded ferret transmission experiments with machine learning–based behavioral tracking and mechanistic mathematical modeling to determine how contact behavior, contact duration, fomite sharing, and viral shedding together shape infection risk.

The long-term goal is to translate this framework to human challenge studies and household cohorts to inform evidence-based mitigation strategies. This position focuses specifically on the mathematical modeling component: building and fitting mechanistic models that link the behavioral tracking data to infection outcomes and viral dynamics.

Working with Dr. Zarnitsyna, the candidate will design and develop mechanistic models of influenza transmission in ferret experiments, including within-host viral dynamics and stochastic transmission-kernel models, and fit them to behavioral tracking data, infection outcomes, and viral load measurements using Bayesian and likelihood-based inference. Additional responsibilities include interpreting results, following the literature, maintaining documentation and quality standards for data and code, sharing expertise and training others in relevant tools, preparing figures for publications and presentations, and co-authoring papers and presenting findings at scientific meetings.

The position can start immediately. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Veronika Zarnitsyna at vizarni@emory.edu with a CV, a brief statement of research interests, and contact information for three references.

• Functions as a skilled individual contributor or lead researcher on one or more research projects, serving as an expert in specialized area(s).
• Designs, develops and conducts large and/or complex research experiments.
• Reviews progress of research and evaluates results.
• Shares expertise in equipment operation and laboratory techniques.
• Refines/adapts methodologies to fit specific experiment requirements.
• Collaborates in the development of new techniques.
• Co-authors publications and may co-present findings with Principal Investigator at meetings/conferences.
• Performs related responsibilities as required.

• A bachelor's degree in a scientific field.
• Seven years of professional research experience.

• Advanced degree (e.g., M.S., M.P.H.) in a quantitative discipline, life science, or public health (e.g., biostatistics, epidemiology)
• Programming experience in R, Julia, or Python, including reproducible workflows.
• Ability to work effectively across experimental and computational teams.

NOTE: Position tasks are generally required to be performed in-person at an Emory University location. Remote work from home day options may be granted at department discretion. Emory reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to employee.

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