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Opportunities

At the Bansal Lab, we're always looking for:

  • biologists and epidemiologists interested in applying/developing quantitative and computational methods to their infectious disease systems

  • mathematicians and computational scientists interested in infectious disease problems.

Our lab values are:

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Interdisciplinarity

Applying interdisciplinary approaches in diverse host-pathogen systems

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Collaborating with experimentalists and field scientists, in addition to modelers, statisticians, and computer scientists.

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Integration

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Impact

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Inclusivity

Integrating traditional methods with novel, creative tools

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Promoting open source, open data, open access philosophies

Policy impact through government and private partners

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Engaging in science communication and outreach

Celebrating the diversity of race/ethnicity, gender identities, socioeconomic status, immigration, abilities, lived experiences, and future ambitions.

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Working to create equity of access & experience in our lab, university, and research community.

If these values speak to you, consider joining us through one of the opportunities below.

Postdoctoral Researchers

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CURRENT RECRUITMENT

There are no open call for applications right now. But, we always welcome applications from excellent candidates in the following areas:

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Current projects:
  • Spatio-temporal dynamics of vaccination behavior and immunizing infections (measles, pertussis, influenza)

  • Network modeling of behavior and disease in human and animal societies

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QUALIFICATIONS

A doctorate in Applied Mathematics, Network Science, Physics, Statistics, Biostatistics, Mathematical Biology, Theoretical Ecology, Epidemiology, or a closely related field.

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HOW TO APPLY

Please email Shweta Bansal with a CV, a short research statement describing your past work and future research goals, and a list of references (letters not required at initial inquiry). If you're comfortable sharing information about your personal background/identity, please do-- we aim to be a diverse community.

PhD Students

CURRENT RECRUITMENT

We are currently recruiting PhD students to apply during Fall 2024 and start during Fall 2025. We recruit students interested in pursuing graduate work in disease ecology and network epidemiology for the following programs:

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HOW TO APPLY

Please consult the individual program websites for information on application requirements and deadlines. It is highly recommended that you contact Shweta Bansal to discuss your interests and goals before applying to one of these programs. When you reach out, please share your CV/resume and why you think the lab might help you achieve your goals. If you're also comfortable sharing information about your personal identity, please do-- we aim to be a diverse community.

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ARE WE THE RIGHT MATCH IN TERMS OF RESEARCH?

There are some broad things to know about our work:

  • We are an interdisciplinary group so diverse academic backgrounds are welcome!

  • We do work on social and spatial behavior in wildlife and humans. For our human disease work, we primarily have funding for work on directly-transmitted diseases and focused on the US public health system as a case study. Thus we don't tend to have funding for work on vector-borne diseases, One Health, pathogen emergence, or climate change.

  • Most importantly: I don't expect folks to have computational/modeling experience before joining the lab, but I do think it's important to make sure you're going into modeling with enough evidence that you're going to enjoy it and excel at it (with support!). The questions I'd ask yourself are: (a) Do you have enthusiasm to do modeling/statistics/big data work every workday, all day, as part of your thesis research? (b) Do you have enthusiasm for taking multiple semesters of math/stats/computer science courses necessary to complete your thesis research? (c) Do you have the potential to do well with modeling/stats/big data research? My advice would be to not worry about whether you have past experience on exactly what the lab does but whether you believe that there is enough evidence in your past to allow you to answer the three questions above. This can be through coursework, work you've done in your job, or other experiences. (If you don't have this exposure, but are still interested, get in touch with Shweta for a conversation about other opportunities.)

Undergraduates, Postbac Researchers & Master's Students

CURRENT RECRUITMENT

We are currently recruiting undergrad, postbac and Master's researchers for Spring 2025 and beyond.

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QUALIFICATIONS

You must have an interest in problems of infectious diseases and a desire to learn mathematical modeling and computer programming (previous experience helps but is not required).

Undergrads: We do not generally accept undergrads until their sophomore year. We also do not accept senior thesis students unless they have previously conducted research in the lab.

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HOW TO APPLY

Please contact Professor Bansal with the following information:

  1. Major/program and graduation year

  2. Your resume/CV

  3. List of biology, math, computer science, or epidemiology courses you have taken (or any other mathematics and programming experience you may have). Did you enjoy these courses?

  4. How many hours can you commit to working in the lab? How many semesters/months do you anticipate having time for research?

  5. Why are you interested in research experience? How will it fit into your career goals?

  6. Read a publication from the lab and tell me what you think. Where would you take that study next?

  7. If you're comfortable sharing something about your personal identity, please do. We seek to be a diverse community.

  8. Undergrads only: Are you looking for research credit? Options include GUROP, research tutorial, or eventually a RISE senior thesis.

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