Job Posting Title:

Postdoctoral Researcher - UT Center for Pandemic Decision Science

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Hiring Department:

Department of Integrative Biology

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

40

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Jan 01, 2023

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Dec 31, 2023

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Location:

AUSTIN, TX

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Job Details:

General Notes

This is a one-year position extendable to two, based on hiring date and funding. The position will include a full-time benefits package.

Security sensitive; criminal background checks conducted on selected candidate. Hiring decision is contingent upon applicant clearing background requirement.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated via an accelerated video interview and decision process.

Purpose

The Meyers Lab and UT Center for Pandemic Decision Science at The University of Texas at Austin are immediately seeking an outstanding postdoctoral scholar to help with the development of innovative pandemic simulation games to: (1) elucidate individual and group decision making dynamics during pathogen threat events and (2) support pandemic preparedness efforts, including the development of pandemic response plans and the training of governmental decision makers. The simulation games will integrate computational models of disease and behavioral dynamics and draw on scientific theories from the field of cognitive science and engineering regarding situational awareness and decision making. 

The scholar will work under the supervision and mentorship of Professors Lauren Ancel Meyers and Francesca de Rosa and engage directly with governmental stakeholders. 

We seek candidates with strong quantitative training in one or more of the following areas: (1) computational epidemiology and/or computational behavioral science (2) reasoning under uncertainty and information fusion, (3) human factors and cognitive engineering with a focus on situational awareness and decision making, (4) statistics, machine learning and artificial intelligence. Preference will be given to candidates with knowledge of infectious disease epidemiology, simulation gaming for crisis preparedness and response, strong coding skills, and interdisciplinary research experience.

To apply, email a cover letter indicating earliest available start date and two reference letters to: utpandemics@austin.utexas.edu.

Responsibilities

• Identify and pursue novel research problems in the area of simulation gaming to advance public health threat preparedness and decision making
• Lead the development, refinement, validation, and implementation of pandemic-related simulation games
• Disseminate results to scientists, public health agencies, and general public via publications, reports, and presentations
• Mentor of undergraduate and graduate students
• Act as a liaison and professionally represent the Meyers Lab and UT Center for Pandemic Decision Science with various stakeholders, including local, state, and national government agencies.

Required Qualifications

PhD in quantitative science, social science, statistics, computer science, mathematics, engineering, or a related discipline must have been received within the past 3 years. The position will also require the ability to work quickly and collaborate with an interdisciplinary and multinational team.

Salary

$65,000 to $70,000

Required Materials

• Resume/ CV

• Cover Letter

• PhD Verification (Examples of official documentation of the degree include: Copy of diploma (preferred) or official English translation of diploma, Copy of a letter of completion on letterhead from the office of the registrar or graduate office confirming completion of degree requirements, Copy of official transcript in English with "degree awarded" information.)

• 2 work references with contact information; at least one should be from a supervisor.

To apply, email a cover letter indicating earliest available start date and two reference letters to: utpandemics@austin.utexas.edu.

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been uploaded.  Once your job application has been submitted, you cannot make changes.

Important for Current university employees and contingent workers: As a current university employee or contingent worker, you MUST apply within Workday by searching for Find UT Jobs. If you are a current University employee, log-in to Workday, navigate to your Worker Profile, click the Career link in the left hand navigation menu and then update the sections in your Professional Profile before you apply. This information will be pulled in to your application. The application is one page and you will be prompted to upload your resume. In addition, you must respond to the application questions presented to upload any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) that were noted above.

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Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

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Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer , complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

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Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

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Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

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E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the 2021 report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe, Suite UTA 2.206, Austin, TX 78701.

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Employment Eligibility:

Please make sure you meet all the required qualifications and you can perform all of the essential functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

----

Retirement Plan Eligibility:

The retirement plan for this position is Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length. This position has the option to elect the Optional Retirement Program (ORP) instead of TRS, subject to the position being 40 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.

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Background Checks:

A criminal history background check will be required for finalist(s) under consideration for this position.

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Equal Opportunity Employer:

The University of Texas at Austin, as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer , complies with all applicable federal and state laws regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, religion, or veteran status in employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

----

Pay Transparency:

The University of Texas at Austin will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.

----

Employment Eligibility Verification:

If hired, you will be required to complete the federal Employment Eligibility Verification I-9 form.  You will be required to present acceptable and original documents to prove your identity and authorization to work in the United States.  Documents need to be presented no later than the third day of employment.  Failure to do so will result in loss of employment at the university.

----

E-Verify:

The University of Texas at Austin use E-Verify to check the work authorization of all new hires effective May 2015. The university’s company ID number for purposes of E-Verify is 854197. For more information about E-Verify, please see the following:

• E-Verify Poster (English) [PDF]
• E-Verify Poster (Spanish) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (English) [PDF]
• Right To Work Poster (Spanish) [PDF]

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Compliance:

Employees may be required to report violations of law under Title IX and the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act). If this position is identified a Campus Security Authority (Clery Act), you will be notified and provided resources for reporting. Responsible employees under Title IX are defined and outlined in HOP-3031 .

The Clery Act requires all prospective employees be notified of the availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety report. You may access the most recent report here or obtain a copy at University Compliance Services, 1616 Guadalupe Street, UTA 2.206, Austin, Texas 78701.