Stochastic Growth and Population Physics Evaluator

IXO is seeking specialists who can connect stochastic-process calculations to biological population behavior. This track examines growth-rate switching, division noise and long-run population growth, with solutions judged on both mathematical care and scientific interpretation.

Work you will do

• Model two-state switching processes with gamma-distributed waiting times and explain their implications for bacterial populations.
• Use the Euler–Lotka equation to assess asymptotic growth rates under different noise assumptions.
• Develop or review perturbation expansions in small division-noise variance and test the conclusions against the model's assumptions.
• Apply renewal theory and first-passage methods to growth fluctuations and cell-size regulation, recording enough detail for reproducibility.

Preferred background

• Advanced practical expertise in statistical physics, biophysics or quantitative modeling of biological stochastic processes.
• Research experience with two-state Markov models and gamma waiting times.
• Strong command of Euler–Lotka analysis, perturbation techniques and renewal theory for growth dynamics.
• Ability to perform first-passage analysis and interpret its consequences for size control and growth-rate variability.

Deliverables

• A well-documented analytical solution, audit or adjudication that states approximations, checks and biological interpretation.

Location and schedule

• Remote. Duties are matched to subject expertise, methods experience and seniority. Assignment scope, availability and timing are agreed before work; there is no fixed weekly volume or duration.

Pay and working terms

• $85 $170/hr USD. IXO will agree the assignment scope, hourly rate, schedule and acceptance criteria before work begins. Work is a paid remote expert engagement; applying does not guarantee an assignment. Use only public, licensed or otherwise authorized material. Do not provide confidential employer information, personal data or restricted research.