Postdoctoral Research Fellow in AI-Driven Pandemic and Infectious Disease Simulation

Position Overview

The Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy (IAA) invites applications for a postdoctoral research position focused on computational simulation for pandemic preparedness and infectious disease transmission. Working closely with Profs. Anton Dahbura and Kimia Ghobadi, the fellow will develop and evaluate models that support public health decision-making, with emphasis on agent-based modeling, simulation validation, uncertainty quantification, and AI-assisted decision support.

The research will address the accuracy, validity, generalizability, interpretability, and trustworthiness of simulations, particularly for novel pathogens, limited data, and changing public health conditions. The fellow will help develop a research agenda that connects computational modeling and trustworthy AI with the evaluation of disease transmission scenarios and intervention strategies.

Research Areas and Responsibilities

The fellow will pursue original research in several of the following areas. Specific directions will depend on the fellow's expertise and interests.

- Agent-based modeling of disease transmission across individuals, communities, and populations.

- Verification, validation, and uncertainty quantification for infectious disease simulations.

- AI and data-driven methods for computational simulation.

- Trustworthy simulation and public health decision support.

A central responsibility is to develop research directions and lead projects through publication. The fellow will help formulate research questions, plan studies, coordinate and mentor undergraduate and graduate researchers, including interns, manage project progress, and lead manuscript preparation. The role requires both independent scientific judgment and the ability to organize and support the work of others.

The fellow will collaborate with faculty, research scientists, students, and external industry and public health partners. The fellow will also help develop and maintain computational models, simulation software, experimental workflows, and reproducible research artifacts.

Research Environment

The Johns Hopkins Institute for Assured Autonomy brings together researchers working on the reliability, safety, and trustworthiness of AI-enabled and autonomous systems. The position spans computer science, AI, systems engineering, applied mathematics, epidemiology, and public health, with potential collaborations across the Whiting School of Engineering, the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Institute, and the Bloomberg School of Public Health.

Research may build on existing agent-based modeling capabilities and simulation platforms, including Delineo, while developing new modeling approaches, analytical tools, and validation methods. The position encourages intellectual independence and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. by the appointment start date in AI or machine learning, systems or industrial engineering, operations research, computer science, applied mathematics, computational epidemiology or biology, biostatistics, statistics, or a closely related quantitative or computational discipline.

Candidates should have a strong research background, evidence of scholarly productivity, and strong management and mentoring skills. Strong computational, mathematical, or statistical modeling skills and experience developing, implementing, or evaluating complex computational models are desirable. We particularly seek candidates who can identify promising research directions, guide and coordinate student researchers, and carry projects through to publication. Clear communication, initiative, independent scientific judgment, and effective collaboration are essential.

Desirable experience includes agent-based modeling or other simulation methods, AI or machine learning for scientific modeling, infectious disease epidemiology, uncertainty quantification and verification, Bayesian inference, sensitivity analysis, human behavior or mobility modeling, high-performance or cloud computing, large-scale simulation, public health data integration, or reproducible open-source research software.

Prior infectious disease modeling experience is highly desirable but is not required for candidates with exceptional backgrounds in computational simulation, AI, applied mathematics, or related fields and a demonstrated interest in public health applications.

Appointment Details and Benefits

The initial appointment is anticipated to be one year, with renewal contingent on satisfactory performance, available funding, and university approval. Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience, consistent with Johns Hopkins postdoctoral compensation policies. The fellow is expected to have access to research infrastructure, faculty mentorship, professional development, and collaborative research opportunities.

Applicants should submit the following materials.

1. A cover letter describing their research interests, qualifications, and motivation for pursuing this position.

2. A current curriculum vitae, including a list of publications.

3. A research statement of approximately one to two pages describing relevant prior work and potential research directions related to infectious disease simulation, agent-based modeling, or trustworthy AI.

4. Contact information for three professional references. Letters of recommendation may be requested during the selection process.

Review of applications: Applications will start in November and will continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled, subject to the official posting schedule.

Salary Range

The referenced salary range represents the minimum and maximum salaries for this position and is based on Johns Hopkins University's good faith belief at the time of posting. Not all candidates will be eligible for the upper end of the salary range. The actual compensation offered to the selected candidate may vary and will ultimately depend on multiple factors, which may include the successful candidate's geographic location, skills, work experience, internal equity, market conditions, education/training and other factors, as reasonably determined by the University.

Total Rewards

Johns Hopkins offers a total rewards package that supports our employees' health, life, career and retirement. More information can be found here: https://hr.jhu.edu/benefits-worklife/.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Johns Hopkins University is committed to equal opportunity for its faculty, staff, and students. To that end, the university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other legally protected characteristics. The university is committed to providing qualified individuals access to all academic and employment programs, benefits and activities on the basis of demonstrated ability, performance and merit without regard to personal factors or demographic characteristics that are irrelevant to the program involved.

Pre-Employment Information

If you are interested in applying for employment with Johns Hopkins University and require special assistance or accommodation during any part of the pre-employment process, please contact the HR Business Services Office at jhurecruitment@jhu.edu. For TTY users, call via Maryland Relay or dial 711. For more information about workplace accommodations at Johns Hopkins University for disabilities, medical conditions (including medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth), accessibility, or religious reasons, please visit accessibility.jhu.edu.

Background Checks

After receiving a conditional offer, the successful candidate(s) for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background check including education verification. When deciding whether a candidate's conviction history is job-disqualifying, the University considers the nature and gravity of the offense, the time that has passed since the conviction, and the nature of the job being sought.

EEO is the Law:

https://www.eeoc.gov/employees-job-applicants

Vaccine Requirements

Johns Hopkins University requires all faculty, staff, and students to receive the seasonal flu vaccine. Exceptions to the flu vaccine requirements may be provided to individuals for religious beliefs or medical reasons. Requests for an exception must be submitted to the JHU vaccination registry. New hires with start dates after the required vaccination deadline and during the designated flu season must be fully vaccinated before their start date to begin working.

For positions in clinical areas or laboratories, or for those that involve work with research subjects or community contact, the pre-employment physical requires a TB screening at least six weeks before your start date. TB screening can be a negative PPD test or an IGRA (T-spot or Quantiferon blood test). A chest X-ray may be required if your TB screening is positive. Documentation of immune status against rubella (German measles), rubeola (measles), mumps, varicella (chickenpox), and hepatitis B, and documentation of having received the Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) vaccination is required. This may include documentation of having two (2) MMR vaccines, two (2) varicella vaccines, or antibody status to these diseases from laboratory testing. Blood tests for immunities to these diseases are ordinarily included in the pre-employment physical exam except for those employees who provide results of blood tests or immunization documentation from their own health care providers.

Any vaccinations required for these diseases will be given at no cost in our Occupational Health office. An applicant who chooses to have his or her own practitioner complete the above requirements is responsible for those incurred costs.