Research Assistant Professor

Posting Number

RTF00281PO25

USC Market Title

Research Assistant Professor

Link to USC Market Title

Business Title

Research Assistant Professor

Campus

Columbia

Work County

Richland

College/Division

Arnold School of Public Health

Department

ASPH Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Location of Vacancy

Part/Full Time

Full Time

Hours per Week

40

Type of Faculty Position

Faculty Research Grant (FRGP)

Basis

12 months

Job Search Category

Faculty

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Benefits for Research Grant or Time-Limited Positions Are Indicated Below

The University of South Carolina (UofSC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about UofSC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

South Carolina Retirement

Yes

State Insurance Programs

Yes

Annual Leave

Yes

Sick Leave

Yes

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

The Research Assistant Professor will be working as part of a transdisciplinary team on a project working to develop real-time vector-borne disease risk assessment in low resource areas. The individual will be directly responsible for the development of adaptive predictive models for nowcasting vector-borne disease risk at local scales. This includes all aspects of model development, evaluation, parameterization, validation, and deployment and fostering relationships with in-country partners to support project workflow.

The researcher will work alongside collaborators at the University of Nebraska Medical Center to incorporate bioinformatic data and the Naval Advanced Medical Research Unit – Indo Pacific to determine end-user needs.

This vector-borne-disease epidemiology-based research faculty position will expand the research capacity and program within the Institute for Infectious Disease Translational Research and the ASPH's Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

• PhD degree in epidemiology and an MS degree in environmental health science or closely related fields, plus a minimum of 1 year of postdoctoral research experience in infectious disease epidemiology.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials

Preferred Qualifications

• Publication record demonstrating successfully executed vector-borne and neglected tropical disease research, primarily in LMICs
• Publication record that demonstrates competency in advanced predictive modeling techniques.
• Advanced knowledge of R, Python, or other relevant programming languages.
• Ability to use/learn several advanced modeling methods (e.g., statistical, mathematical, individual-based, or machine learning models).
• Experience with high-performance computing and version control (e.g., GitHub).
• History of large-scale project implementation work in an international setting (e.g, population surveys and/or public health programs).
• History of working in cross-disciplinary teams and engaging non-scientist stakeholders.
• Fluency in another WHO official language (preferably Spanish or French)

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Knowledge:

• A strong working knowledge of advanced epidemiologic theory and general predictive modeling methods, including model design, parameter estimation, sensitivity analysis, and model evaluation.
• An understanding of epidemiologic principles, arboviral transmission dynamics, MCMC and Bayesian modeling, and prevention/intervention design.
• An understanding of data acquisition and curation methods for real-world data, including trapping, weather station, and satellite-derived datasets.
• Formidable working knowledge of host-vector-pathogen diagnostic assays, and international health organization guidance for disease prevention.

Skills:

• Strong track record in predictive modeling design and evaluation, data management, scientific writing, teaching, problem solving and critical thinking.
• Direct field experience trapping, identifying, and conducting pathogen testing for arthropod disease vectors in an international setting

Abilities:

• Independent research capabilities, analytical acumen, attention to detail, initiative, resilience, and ethical conduct of research
• Flexibility and adaptability to work on multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced academic environment.
• Proficiency in primary data collection, including in low-and-middle-income countries, and understanding of how to establish a new international research program.
• Talent in science communication across career stages, cultures, languages, and audiences, including scientific presentations and stakeholder meetings.
• Required to conduct business lawfully and ethically by consistently adhering to compliance policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Practical experience in public health practice or applied vector-borne disease and global health, such as working with non-profit global health agencies on VBD/NTD surveillance, disease diagnostics technical consulting, or global health programs.
• Demonstrated collaborative leadership in a cross-sectoral, cross-cultural setting and the ability to lead research projects, supervise research staff, and mentor junior researchers, including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Job Duties

Job Duty

Develop software for predictive models for nowcasting local vector-borne disease risk using a variety of modeling frameworks, including mathematical, statistical, and machine learning.
Actively engage in the development and evaluation of several advanced predictive models of vector-borne disease ecology and epidemiology. This includes reviewing relevant literature, formulating models from first principles, initial model evaluation, parameter estimation, sensitivity analysis, and model validation. The individual will be responsible for clearly documenting all aspects of the model as well as maintaining version control.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

40

Job Duty

Prepare scientific manuscripts, posters, and presentations to disseminate research and findings to the broader scientific community. The RAP will be responsible for synthesizing results into clear, concise, and impactful narratives for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals, ensuring adherence to high standards of academic integrity and scientific rigor. Additionally, they will be responsible for presenting methodology and results at relevant scientific meetings.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

20

Job Duty

Maintain and curate data and code associated with projects. The RAP will be responsible for maintaining and documenting all data and code associated with the project. This will include making sure that all primary data is submitted to appropriate repositories and ensuring that best practices for version control are followed

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

5

Job Duty

Prepare presentations and reports for Department of Defense partners. The RAP will be responsible for providing monthly reports on project progress to Department of Defense partners. This will include written and visual presentations targeted at non-scientific stakeholders. Additionally, the fellow will be responsible for providing yearly presentations to Department of Defense stakeholders. This will include detailed presentations of methodology and results.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

5

Job Duty

Work with Department of Defense partners and relevant stakeholders to identify needs and train end-users in the use of predictive modeling software. The fellow will be responsible for working directly with Department of Defense stakeholders to identify and implement needs throughout the life of the project. This could include adjusting model inputs/outputs or adjusting methodology. The RAP will also be responsible for developing written standard operating procedures (SOPs) for software use and training end-users during workshops.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

10

Job Duty

Provide support for additional research projects. The RAP will be responsible for assisting in coordinating and overseeing laboratory and field technicians to ensure rigorous research and that projects are completed in a timely manner. This may include providing training, scheduling individuals, or directly overseeing activities. The RAP may also be asked to contribute to the Institute's overall research objective through supporting additional project activities related to vector-borne disease surveillance studies in El Salvador and the US.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

15

Job Duty

Assist in the preparation of grant proposals. The RAP will be responsible for assisting in grant preparation to help ensure continued research funding. This may include providing feedback, contributing to study design, or leading grant efforts.

Essential Function

Yes

Percentage of Time

5

Position Attributes

Hazardous weather category

Non-Essential

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

No

Posting Detail Information

Desired Start Date

03/01/2026

Position End Date

Job Open Date

12/17/2025

Job Close Date

01/31/2026

Open Until Filled

No

Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by January 31, 2026.

Quicklink for Posting

EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.