Project Description: The Kaundal Artificial Intelligence and Advanced Bioinformatics Lab, KAABiL (https://kaabil.net/) at the Center for Integrated BioSystems (CIB), Department of Plants, Soils, & Climate, Utah State University (USU), is inviting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow under the recently awarded grant to investigate the mechanisms of Host-Pathogen interactions on a genome scale. The project, entitled “Decoding the Poultry-HPAI Interactome: An Integrative Pipeline for Targeted herapeutics Against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza” will address the mechanisms of pathogenesis and develop novel therapeutics to address HPAI control in poultry (e.g. comparative analysis of multiple host-pathogen Protein Interaction Networks (PINs) that may allow us to identify conserved mechanisms of pathogen cellular invasion), and (ii) provide bioinformatics solutions / tools to curate and visualize such PINs in a user-friendly way, leading to advance host-targeted antiviral discovery

This position is for 2 years but may be longer contingent upon funding and performance.

Responsibilities:

1. Develop systems bioinformatics approaches including Machine Learning-based to decipher host-pathogen interaction networks in diverse Avian and HPAI strains.
2. Focus on system and data integration, algorithm development and computational modeling of the interactions among pathogen proteins and host proteins using diverse data types or properties.
3. Specific responsibilities include: (i) Comprehensive computational mapping of avian-HPAI host-pathogen interactions, including proteomic and transcriptomic approaches, (ii) In silico drug target identification and therapeutic candidate screening, e.g.
4. Structure-based computational screening using molecular docking, highthroughput virtual screening, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and (iii) Implementation of a public database and predictive tool development, an intuitive UI for hypothesis testing and exploratory research.
5. In addition, the candidate is also expected to explore the applicability of these tools on relevant host-pathogen interaction systems.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. degree in Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, Math/Stats, or related life sciences field.
2. Programming skills with Python, R, Java, C/C++, or Perl, and efficiency in Linux / UNIX operating systems.
3. Independent problem-solving skills.
4. Have good communication skills, strong team-work spirit, and self-learning abilities

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Ph.D. degree in Computational Biology, Genomics, Bioinformatics, Computer Science or highly related field.
2. Experience in developing Machine Learning-based models and large-scale data analysis systems.
3. Knowledge about PINs, graphical models such as the dynamic Bayesian networks.

Required Documents:

Along with the online application, please attach:

1. Resume/CV to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”

2. Statement of your research interests to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Documents 1-10”

3.Three professionl references with contact information

**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**

Advertised Salary: Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits ADA:

Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.

University Highlights:

Founded in 1888, Utah State University is Utah’s premier land-grant, public service university. As an R1 research institution, Utah State is dedicated to advancing knowledge and serving the public good through innovative research and scholarly activities that are grounded in reciprocal engagement with local, regional, and global communities. USU prepares students to be active, civically engaged leaders who are prepared to address critical societal challenges. Dedicated to providing a high-quality and affordable education, USU remains a leader in research, discovery, and public impact.

USU enrolls over 29,800 students, both online and in person at locations throughout the state. Utah State’s 30 locations include a main campus in Logan, Utah, residential campuses in Price and Blanding, and six additional statewide campuses, along with education centers serving every county. USU educates students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. For over 100 years, USU Extension has served and engaged Utahns, serving every county in the state.

Competing at the NCAA Division I level, USU is a proud member of the Mountain West Conference and will join the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026-2027 season. The Aggies’ long-standing tradition of athletic and academic excellence is exemplified by recent Mountain West regular-season and tournament championships in women’s volleyball, three consecutive Mountain West tournament titles in women’s soccer conference championships, and a first-ever conference championship for gymnastics, reflecting USU's commitment to perseverance and achievement.

Utah State is dedicated to fostering a community where all individuals feel respected, valued, and supported and where diversity of thought and culture are cultivated. We seek to recruit, hire, and retain people from all walks of life who will champion excellence in education, research, discovery, outreach, and service. We believe that promoting a strong sense of community and belonging empowers and engages all members of USU to thrive and be successful. Forbes recognized our commitment to employees when they named Utah State the best employer in Utah in 2023. Learn more about USU.

The university provides a Dual Career Assistance Program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment. Additionally, USU is committed to providing access and a reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Office of Human Resources at (435) 797-0122 or hr@usu.edu.

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2. updated 12/2025

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Matthew Pinner

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Civil Rights & Title IX Office

matthew.pinner@usu.edu

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Cody Carmichael

Title IX Coordinator

cody.carmichael@usu.edu

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1475 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322

For further information regarding non-discrimination, please visit crtix.usu.edu or contact:

U.S. Department of Education

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Office of Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights

800-421-3481 | OCR@ed.gov

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2. updated 10/2025

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