Post Doctoral Fellow

Emory University is a leading research university that fosters excellence and attracts world-class talent to innovate today and prepare leaders for the future. We welcome candidates who can contribute to the excellence of our academic community.

JOB DESCRIPTION: Helps design and conduct research within a specified field while receiving advanced training from a designated Principal Investigator to enhance professional skills and research independence needed for pursuit of a career. The specific area of research in which the trainee is mentored is determined by the department and laboratory of the Postdoc. Designs and evaluates experiments. Develops new ideas that promote current research. Prepares and publishes scientific manuscripts under the direction of the Principal Investigator. May be responsible for operation of specific equipment. May teach techniques to others, train, and supervise research staff. Positions are temporary appointments as a research trainee. The initial appointment is for one year, renewal expected if progress is satisfactory and funds are available. Appointments cannot exceed five years.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: A doctoral degree or equivalent (Ph.D., M.D., ScD., D.V.M., DDS etc) in an appropriate field. Excellent scientific writing ability and strong oral communication skills. The ability to work effectively and collegially with colleagues. Additional qualifications as specified by the Principal Investigator.

Emory Postdoctoral Fellow in Remote Sensing and AI for Urban Malaria Control

Position Description

Drs. Huang and Vazquez-Prokopec at the Department of Environmental Sciences, Emory University, are seeking an outstanding and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher whose interests focus on the application of image processing and deep learning algorithms to environmental problems. The successful applicant will join a multidisciplinary team of Geographers, Entomologists, and Ecologists investigating how emerging AI tools can be leveraged to improve the surveillance and control of urban malaria in Ethiopia. Within this new 3-year project, the postdoc is expected to design and conduct research while receiving advanced training from the Principal Investigators, thereby enhancing professional skills and research independence needed for a successful scientific career. Postdoctoral positions are temporary research appointments, initially for one year, with renewal contingent on satisfactory progress and available funding. The starting salary for this position will be $65,000 and will follow NIH pay scale for postdoctoral researchers.

Additional Information about the position:

The Postdoctoral Researcher will join “NextGen-LSM”, an innovative project recently funded by The Gates Foundation. The project aims to develop rapid, efficient, Larval Source Management (LSM) strategies for urban centers in Ethiopia, leveraging remote sensing, advanced machine learning, and web-based tools. A major component of the project centers in the application of AI/ML algorithms for efficient processing of remotely sensed data (very high spatial resolution satellite and UAV imagery) with the goal of detecting key water habitats used by the mosquito Anopheles stephensi, a recent invader of Africa that is implicated in the increase in urban malaria cases in Ethiopia. By automating the detection of mosquito habitats from remotely sensed data, the project aims to guide the application of long-lasting larvicides to control An. stephensi and malaria transmission in selected urban environments from Ethiopia.

Key Responsibilities

• AI Model Development: Create and deploy cutting-edge machine learning/deep learning models to identify urban mosquito habitat sites using ultra high-resolution satellite and UAV imagery.
• Imagery Analysis: Derive relevant environmental indicators (e.g., water quality metrics) and landscape confounders (e.g., tree shade, distance towards roads, etc.) from remote sensing data to support the identification of super-producing mosquito habitats.
• Data-Driven Inference. Integrate multi-source data to map, predict, and prioritize potential high yield breeding sites in urban landscapes.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A Ph.D. in Geography, Environmental Sciences, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field is awarded before the start date. Demonstrated expertise in image processing and deep learning algorithms.
• Programming languages such as Python and JavaScript, R.
• Familiarity with UAV imagery handling and deep learning model deployment.

Application materials

• Curriculum vitae
• Letter of application/Cover letter (2 pages max)
• Research statement (2 pages max)
• Writing samples (a maximum of three this may include journal articles, books, book chapters, dissertation chapters, etc.)
• A list of two references with telephone numbers and email addresses.

Important Dates:

Application deadline: 03/21/2025

Project starting date: 04/07/2025

Project duration: Three years

Application screening will continue until a suitable candidate is found.   

Further information

Emory University’s Department of Environmental Sciences and College of Arts and Sciences.

Emory is an equal opportunity employer, and qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law. Emory University does not discriminate in admissions, educational programs, or employment, including recruitment, hiring, promotions, transfers, discipline, terminations, wage and salary administration, benefits, and training. Students, faculty, and staff are assured of participation in university programs and in the use of facilities without such discrimination. Emory University complies with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veteran’s Readjustment Assistance Act, and applicable executive orders, federal and state regulations regarding nondiscrimination, equal opportunity, and affirmative action (for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities). Inquiries regarding this policy should be directed to the Emory University Department of Equity and Civil Rights Compliance, 201 Dowman Drive, Administration Building, Atlanta, GA 30322. Telephone: 404-727-9867 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD).

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