Position overview
Position title :
Postdoctoral Scholar Employee
Salary range :
The UC postdoc salary scales set the minimum pay determined by experience level at appointment. See the following table for the current salary scale for this position : https : / / www.ucop.edu / academic-personnel-programs / _files / 2025-26 / represented-oct-2025-scales / t23.pdf . The current minimum salary range for this position is $69,073-$82,836. Salaries above the minimum may be offered when necessary to meet competitive conditions.
Percent time : 100%
Anticipated start : October 2025
Position duration :
The initial appointment is for two years with the possibility of extension based on satisfactory performance and availability of funding.
Application Window
Open date : August 20, 2025
Most recent review date : Monday, Oct 6, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.
Final date : Monday, Oct 13, 2025 at 11 : 59pm (Pacific Time)
Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.
Position description
The Pandemic and Epidemic Threat Analytics Lab (PETAL) at UC Berkeley School of Public Health is recruiting two Postdoctoral Scholars to advance quantitative research that lowers the risk of future epidemics and pandemics.
Working at the intersection of infectious disease modeling, viral phylodynamics, and public health decision support, you will work closely with Professor Charles Whittaker to co-create a research project that aligns your expertise with PETAL's mission and current research streams. These include modeling efforts focused on :
You will join a diverse, open-science lab with a proven record of real-world impact and a strong commitment to supporting the career goals of lab members. PETAL's projects are conducted in close partnership with scientists and public health agencies across Africa, the Americas, Europe, and Asia. These positions are expected to involve international travel for conferences, workshops, and collaborative visits.
This is a unique opportunity to shape global pandemic-preparedness research from first principles to implementation, and to translate cutting-edge analytics into tools and policies that strengthen preparedness and promote health equity worldwide.
We are seeking candidates who bring a blend of infectious disease insight and quantitative or computational skills. This may include experience in infectious disease modeling, viral phylodynamics, machine learning, statistics, or related analytic fields. What will matter most is your ability to work with data, some familiarity with public health and infectious disease-related questions, and your enthusiasm and commitment to PETAL's mission to use analytical tools in service of pandemic preparedness.
Note that you do not need to match every item to be a competitive candidate. If you have the drive, technical aptitude, and a passion for applying analytics to pandemic preparedness, we encourage you to apply.
Division : https : / / publichealth.berkeley.edu / academics / infectious-diseases-and-vaccinology
Lab : https : / / whittakerlab.com /
Bargaining Unit : https : / / ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu / resources / employment-policies-contracts / bargaining-units / postdoctoral-scholars / contract /
Benefits Package : https : / / vspa.berkeley.edu / resources / be-well / postdoc-benefits
Qualifications
Basic qualifications
(required at time of application)
Additional qualifications
(required at time of start)
Preferred qualifications
Application Requirements
Document requirements
Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
Cover Letter - 1-2 Pages
Research Statement
Reference requirements
Apply link :
https : / / aprecruit.berkeley.edu / JPF04994
Help contact : cwhittaker@berkeley.edu
About UC Berkeley
UC Berkeley is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in our public mission of research, teaching, and service, consistent with UC Regents Policy 4400 and University of California Academic Personnel policy (APM 210 1-d ). These values are embedded in our Principles of Community , which reflect our passion for critical inquiry, debate, discovery and innovation, and our deep commitment to contributing to a better world. Every member of the UC Berkeley community has a role in sustaining a safe, caring and humane environment in which these values can thrive.
The University of California, Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or protected veteran status.
For more information, please refer to the University of California's Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment Policy and the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy .
In searches when letters of reference are required all letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. Please refer potential referees, including when letters are provided via a third party (i.e., dossier service or career center), to the UC Berkeley statement of confidentiality prior to submitting their letter.
As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and / or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements.
As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.
Job location
Berkeley, CA
Postdoctoral Disease • Berkeley, CA, United States