Faculty Position in Infectious Disease Phylodynamics/Genomic Epidemiology

The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (Fred Hutch) invites applicants for an open full-time faculty position at the assistant or associate level in the Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division (VIDD). The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge, independent research in the areas of infectious disease dynamics, evolutionary dynamics, pathogen evolution, phylodynamics or genomic epidemiology. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the field of pathogen genomics well into the future with over 2.6 million publicly available SARS-CoV-2 genomes as of August 2021. Such genomic data along with other novel datastreams enable detailed reconstruction of epidemiological and evolutionary infectious disease dynamics to an unprecedented degree.

We seek candidates who are pushing forward innovative analysis of infectious disease dynamics using large datasets, genomic or otherwise. A successful candidate will establish a dynamic research program consisting of independent projects and collaborative studies pertinent to our mission to identify and quench outbreaks and mitigate spread of diseases such as COVID-19, Ebola, influenza, tuberculosis and other bacterial or viral infectious diseases.

For consideration, the candidate must hold a PhD or equivalent degree in evolutionary biology, epidemiology, computer science, statistics or another relevant discipline. Candidates with doctorates in other disciplines but significant research experience in the aforementioned areas may also be considered. Individuals with computational research programs, with or without lab-based research components, are encouraged to apply. A successful candidate will have demonstrated the ability to work in a highly collaborative environment including investigators with diverse scientific backgrounds, such as virologists, immunologists, statisticians, data scientists and public health practitioners.

At Fred Hutch, we believe that the innovation, collaboration, and rigor that result from diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission of eliminating cancer and infectious diseases. We seek faculty who bring different and innovative ways of seeing the world and solving problems. Fred Hutch is in pursuit of becoming an antiracist organization. We are committed to ensuring that all faculty hired share our commitment to diversity, antiracism, and inclusion.

The Vaccine and Infectious Disease Division (VIDD) is a recognized leader in translational and “bench-to-bedside” science. VIDD integrates the expertise and creativity of scientists in basic, translational and clinical research to prevent, treat and cure infectious diseases, including known and emerging infections of major global health importance such as COVID-19, HIV and cancer-related infectious diseases.

More broadly, Fred Hutch has strong data science, genomics, virology and immunology communities that are highly collaborative and supportive, and the scientific community in Seattle is vibrant. Our interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Our researchers — including three Nobel laureates — bring a relentless passion to their work and deliver hope to patients who come here from all over the world. Fred Hutch provides outstanding colleagues, a collegial atmosphere, and a wealth of resources to support junior and senior faculty success. Excellent collaborative opportunities exist for joint and/or affiliate appointments in Fred Hutch Divisions of Clinical Research, Basic Sciences, Public Health Sciences or Human Biology, as well as at the University of Washington, depending on mutual interests.

The Fred Hutch offers a vibrant intellectual environment within a beautiful lakeside campus in Seattle’s South Lake Union biotech hub. The Fred Hutch campus contains five major research buildings along with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance and is in close proximity to major research partners such as the University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Children’s Research Institute and the Allen Institute for Immunology.

Application Instructions

Interested candidates should submit a CV, a research statement describing past research accomplishments and future research plans (five pages or less), a diversity statement describing your past contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion and your future plans for continuing these efforts (two pages or less), and the names and contact information for three (3) references.

Applications should be received by October 31, 2021 to assure consideration. Later applications may also be considered if the position has not been filled.

Questions about this position can be directed to Charles Smarr, Fred Hutch Faculty Recruiter, at csmarr@fredhutch.org