Senior Scientist - Wan Lab

Life Sciences Center

The Wan Influenza Systems Biology Lab seeks applications for a Senior Scientist in Computational Biology. The lab is affiliated with the Departments of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology (School of Medicine), Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (College of Engineering), and Veterinary Pathobiology (College of Veterinary Medicine), and is part of NextGen Center for Influenza and Emerging Infectious Diseases (CIEID) and Bond Life Sciences Center (LSC).

Our research integrates clinical, experimental, computational, and translational approaches to study influenza transmission, including mechanisms of spread, viral evolution, and host immune responses. Our goal is to improve vaccines and antiviral strategies, reduce disease burden, and mitigate outbreaks.

Responsibilities:

The successful candidate will contribute to projects in one or more of the following areas: influenza transmission and epidemic outbreaks, including developing advanced deep learning models to predict emerging antigenic and genetic variants in human and animal populations and modeling how these variants drive continued circulation and disease outbreaks; effects of prior exposures and infection, including developing within-host and deep learning models to understand molecular, cellular, and host factors, particularly pre-existing immunity from prior exposures, that shape immune responses, viral transmission, and spread; and omics analyses, including developing and applying integrative approaches to analyze genomics, single-cell RNA sequencing, and glycomics data to investigate host–pathogen interactions and mechanisms of disease progression and burdens.

The candidate will be expected to lead a computational biology team, including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and junior lab members, and to publish in peer-reviewed journals. The computational team will work closely with experimental researchers to support data generation and validation across human studies, animal models, and laboratory-based approaches. Additional responsibilities include contributing to project reports and grant preparation. Strong motivation and the ability to work collaboratively within a diverse, interdisciplinary team are essential.

We support professional growth through collaborations with leading researchers at MU and beyond, along with opportunities for grant writing and independent project development

Onsite, Monday - Friday, 8am – 5pm

Bachelor's degree in related/relevant area and at least 4 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary.

PhD in Computer Science, Computational Biology, or a related field, with postdoctoral (or equivalent) research experience. Demonstrated expertise in computational modeling, machine learning (particularly deep learning), and analysis of large-scale biological datasets (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, or other omics data). Strong programming skills (e.g., Python, R, or similar), experience with high-performance computing environments, and a track record of peer-reviewed publications are highly desirable.

Salary Range: $72,000.00 - $110,000.00 per year

Grade: GGS 011

University Title: Senior Scientist

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Cover letter & Resume/CV

Want to learn more directly from people that work at the Bond Life Sciences Center? Check out our latest video highlighting the important work and experiences of our team:

https://mizzou.us/WorkatBondLSC

About Us:
The Bond Life Sciences Center at the University of Missouri is a dynamic hub where groundbreaking research meets real-world impact. Designed to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, our state-of-the-art facility brings together experts in diverse fields—engineers, cancer biologists, plant scientists, and IT specialists—all working towards a common goal: to save lives, reduce costs, and enhance everyday life for Missourians and people around the globe.

Our Mission:
We are committed to transforming scientific discoveries into actionable solutions. Our innovative research not only addresses pressing challenges in human and animal health, the environment, and agriculture, but it also translates into meaningful improvements in the lives of individuals everywhere. We also strive to share our findings with the public, ensuring that our discoveries resonate far beyond the lab in a language anyone can understand through our blog, Decoding Science, events for the public, social media and more.

Why Join Us?
At the Bond Life Sciences Center, you’ll be part of a vibrant community dedicated to making a difference. Our collaborative environment not only supports innovative research but also ensures that our discoveries lead to tangible benefits for society. Work in an award-winning facility designed for creativity and impact and contribute to a mission that truly changes lives.

Join us in our quest to advance science and improve lives, one discovery at a time!

Columbia offers small-town friendliness with big city features and a high quality of life for people of all ages and interests. Founded on education and known as an ideal college town, its location also makes it an attractive spot for businesses and travelers. Located on Interstate 70 and U.S. Highway 63, Columbia is right in the middle of the state and the nation. Just a couple hours’ drive from St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbia is Boone County’s largest population center offering big-city culture, activities, and resources with a low cost of living. Columbia is home to a variety of restaurants and entertainment venues and hosts more than a dozen festivals each year. If you want to grow your career, continue your education, raise a family, and retire, Columbia is a good place to be!

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/totalrewards/benefits.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please call the Director of Accessibility and ADA at 573-884-7278.