Two postdoctoral positions in epidemic modelling

Postdoct position in the Development of Machine Learning Methods for Spatial Transcriptomics Data

Emploi

Équipe: Modélisation Mathématique des Maladies Infectieuses

Département de: Santé Globale

Membre : Laurence Boutout 13 Apr 2026

Job description We are recruiting 2 postdocs to contribute to research projects in the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, at Institut Pasteur in Paris. The postdocs will develop state-of-the-art statistical and mathematical methodology [...]

Job description

We are recruiting 2 postdocs to contribute to research projects in the Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, at Institut Pasteur in Paris. The postdocs will develop state-of-the-art statistical and mathematical methodology to improve understanding of epidemic dynamics and control. They will work on one of the new projects starting in the Unit, including i) analysing a mass of One Health data from a nationally representative serosurvey in Cambodia, considering 11 priority pathogens, with samples collected in humans, livestock, domestic and wild animals (Wellcome Trust RACSMEI project), ii) modelling influenza antibody landscapes from 4 continents, with a high-throughput serological test measuring antibodies against 55 influenza strains that circulated over the last 50 years, iii) using AI to strengthen epidemic preparedness, iv) forecasting of plague epidemics in Madagascar, v) modelling and comparing the patterns of spread of COVID-19, influenza and RSV by age group in France, from new comprehensive community surveillance system RELAB, vi) studying how heterogeneous contacts in a population can affect estimates of variant growth advantage.

Successful applicants will be supervised by Prof Simon Cauchemez . They will collaborate with other members of the team and colleagues in partner institutions. Funding is available for 1 year, with possibility of extension for longer periods.

Applications

Interested candidates should email Laurence Boutout ( laurence.boutoutpasteur.fr ) and Simon Cauchemez ( simon.cauchemezpasteur.fr ) with a CV, statement of interest and contact details of two referees that will be contacted directly after the interviews. The deadline for applications is 13^th April 2026, with contracts starting as soon as possible.

The Unit

The Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases at Institut Pasteur consists of 12-15 researchers at different stages of their career developing state-of-the-art statistical and mathematical methods to analyze epidemic data, with the aim to increase our understanding of how pathogens spread in populations, assess the impact of interventions, support policy making and optimize control strategies. Our approach is highly multidisciplinary, looking at infectious diseases through multiple perspectives, multiple scales and multiple data streams. We work closely with a network of collaborators and public health agencies in France and abroad.

A few studies illustrating our approach and the diversity of the questions we investigate:

1. Using mechanistic models to understand the role of rat and flea population dynamics in shaping the seasonality of plague epidemics. Brault et al, PNAS, 2025
2. Modelling household transmission to quantify how different types of antibodies affect influenza transmission. Hoy et al, Nature Com, 2005
3. New R package to easily reconstruct the history of pathogen circulation from age-stratified data. Hoze et al, PLoS Comp Biol, 2025
4. Using models to evaluate the impact of new antiviral nirsevimab on hospitalizations for RSV bronchiolitis. Brault et al, Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 2024
5. Development of an ensemble model to forecast COVID-19 hospitalisations in France. Paireau et al, PNAS 2022
6. Estimating the burden of SARS-CoV-2 in France. Salje et al, Science 2020
7. Reconstructing antibody dynamics and infection histories to evaluate dengue risk. Salje et al, Nature 2018

Salary: Depending on education and experience.

Location: Mathematical Modelling of Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Global Health, Institut Pasteur, 28 rue du Dr Roux, 75724 Paris Cedex 15, France.

Person specification:

• Experience in working with mathematical and/or statistical models and/or AI.
• A strong interest in infectious disease epidemiology.
• Ability to collate and analyse data, interpret and present results to a high standard using a range of specialised research techniques.
• Good knowledge of the R statistical programming language.
• Programming experience in C, C++ or Python is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills. The working language of the laboratory is English.
• Experience in communicating research findings to a non-specialist audience.
• Ability to work independently but also as part of a larger interdisciplinary research team.
• PhD in one of the following areas: infectious disease epidemiology, mathematics, statistics, physics, AI, computer science, population biology or a similarly quantitative discipline.

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Publié le: 20 mars 2026