About the opportunity
What this programme is offering
Bar-Ilan University’s Azrieli Faculty of Medicine in Safed, Israel, is inviting applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in digital epidemiology under the supervision of Prof. Michael Edelstein.
The fellowship is set to begin in September or October 2026, with applications closing on 31 July 2026.
The position offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of AI, epidemiology, and public health policy, with a focus on improving equitable delivery of immunization programs.
Fellowship Focus and Objectives
Prof. Edelstein’s team is pioneering innovative approaches to public health, leveraging real-world data to optimize vaccination strategies. The postdoctoral fellow will be central to a new initiative aimed at:
Constructing a synthetic population mirroring Israeli society, seeded with survey and interview data.
Enabling virtual evaluations of vaccine-related public health interventions before real-world deployment.
Influencing the design and implementation of future immunization policies.
The project addresses a global challenge: undervaccination is estimated to cause 2 million deaths and $250 billion in economic losses annually.
Fully Funded Postdoctoral Fellowship in Digital Epidemiology: Role and Responsibilities.
Leading the integration of real-world data into agent parameters.
Building and maintaining a LLM-driven agentic simulation framework.
Designing and coordinating the AI coding pipeline and human validation processes.
Collaborating with epidemiologists, modellers, and qualitative researchers.
Mentoring or supervising junior team members.
Leading the production of scientific outputs and presenting findings at conferences.
The role requires flexibility, creativity, and the ability to adapt to complex, uncharted methodological territory.
Fully Funded Postdoctoral Fellowship in Digital Epidemiology: Eligibility Criteria
Applications are welcome from candidates worldwide, and the faculty will provide support with visa applications if required. Applicants must meet the following requirements:
PhD in epidemiology, public health, computational social science, computer science, or a related field.
Experience with agentic AI frameworks and large language models in research or applied settings.
Strong track record in handling, linking, and analyzing complex datasets.
Proficiency in at least one statistical programming language such as R or Python.
Fluency in English.
Demonstrated scientific curiosity, initiative, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
Evidence of a publication record.
Preferred qualifications (not mandatory) include.
Experience in disease modelling or simulation.
Knowledge of Hebrew, Arabic, or Russian.
Background in vaccines, health policy, or population health research.
Position Details
Location: Azrieli Faculty of Medicine, Safed, Northern Israel.
Contract: Initially 12 months, extendable based on mutual satisfaction.
Work Arrangement: Flexible, including hybrid options.
Start Date: September or October 2026.
How to apply