Research Scientist, Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health

The Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health is seeking a talented and passionate mathematician/statistician with skills in computer database and analysis of complex clinical data sets to support ongoing epidemiologic and microbiologic analysis and reporting to public health as a Research Scientist in the lab of Dr. Mathers. The focus of Dr. Mathers' Laboratory is to apply innovative whole genome sequencing techniques to understand the transmission of drug resistance genes across small and large data sets. In addition, through partnership with public health, we seek to understand and report transmission patterns across additional pathogens and understand the severity of infection according to genomic traits. We use genomic data in quality evaluations within the medical center to understand and limit transmission pathways for nosocomial organisms such as Clostridioides difficile and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales.

Duties:

• Research - The research component of a research scientist includes scholarly publication, attending academic conferences and obtaining grants. More senior scholars often take leadership roles in scholarly associations and act as editors, board members and referees for grant-giving organizations, academic presses and scholarly journals.

• Service - University service involves membership in departmental, college-level and university committees, attending departmental meetings, student recruitment, and processing routine paperwork such as filling out reports, answering email, participating in surveys, and voting in university elections.

• Through funding the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, we investigate the impact genetic signals in SARS CoV-2 may have on the severity of illness, the impact, and use of wastewater data for tracking pathogens, and genomic applications to limit nosocomial spread. In addition, CDC has funded upgrades and improvements in our Medical Center Laboratory Information System for genomics use and reporting. A more robust computing infrastructure and mechanism for tracking genomic data sequenced in the Clinical Microbiology Microbial Sequencing Laboratory (Amy Mathers Medical Director) will further interface with the Medical Center Clinical reporting team to utilize data for quality reporting as well as interface further with public health at the state level. The individual will integrate their knowledge and experience into current research and clinical efforts in analyzing large-scale clinical and genomic data, focusing on its applications in microbiology for both clinical and public health use. Research analysis will focus on linking and organizing data and analyzing large data sets to understand drivers of transmission and the significance of public health. In addition, modifying computing Salesforce Laboratory Information System infrastructure for quality efforts and lab functionality will be the primary focus. This will also require maintaining records in accordance with the Clinical Laboratory Improvements Act as well as handling and protecting private health information. The person will also interface with the clinical informatics reporting team for use of data in medical center quality initiatives. There may be a small component of mentoring students in addition to sharing methods and ideas with other team members.

• In addition to the above job responsibilities, other duties may be assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Requires a doctoral degree in mathematics/statistics or master's degree with significant experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in working on applications in applying mathematical approaches to epidemiologic and microbiologic systems.
• Ideal to have some familiarity with database management and unique software systems such as Salesforce as well as SQL.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.

The position will remain open until filled. This is an exempt-level, benefitted position. The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. A pre-employment health screening is required. This position is located in Charlottesville, VA.

To Apply:

Please apply through the UVA job board, and search for R0068224. Internal applicants must apply through their UVA Workday profile by searching 'Find Jobs'. Complete an application online with the following documents:

• CV/Resume
• Cover letter

Upload all materials into the resume submission field, multiple documents can be submitted into this one field. Alternatively, merge all documents into one PDF for submission. Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.

References will be completed via UVA's standardized process Skill Survey. A total of five references will be requested via Skill Survey during the final phase of the interview process.

For questions about the application process, please contact Jessica Russo, Senior Recruiter, at sxv9zv@virginia.edu.

For more information on the benefits available to postdoctoral associates at UVA, visit postdoc.virginia.edu and hr.virginia.edu/benefits.

The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician's Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.