Position opening: Postdoctoral Research Associate We seek a Postdoctoral Research Associate for a project at the University of Florida that will provide excellent experience in working with international teams and an opportunity to impact rural poverty and food security.
The project addresses strategies for managing degeneration of planting materials in vegetatively-propagated crops such as sweetpotato, cassava, potato, yam, and bananas. The Research Associate’s responsibilities will include development of models and scenario analyses, collaboration in the team’s evaluation of viruses and other pathogens contributing to seed degeneration, and the development of decision support tools for on-farm management and for policy makers. This is an opportunity to develop and test new models of pathogen ecology and evolution under human selection. The project also addresses the development and application of seed system models, including linked models of (1) human communication networks that influence decision-making about management, and (2) plant disease epidemic networks. There will be the opportunity to negotiate about which host-pathogen systems will be emphasized. The Research Associate will work with Dr. Karen Garrett in the Plant Pathology Department at University of Florida (http://plantpath.ifas.ufl.edu/faculty/karen-garrett/) as part of the currently forming Institute for Sustainable Food Systems (http://isfs.institute.ifas.ufl.edu/), and with a team of scientists from multiple centers in the CGIAR RTB research program (http://www.rtb.cgiar.org/). The Research Associate is expected to contribute to an environment that fosters diversity and cooperation. The position start date is negotiable. Screening of applicants will begin 25 May 2016 and continue until the successful applicant is identified. Salary will be commensurate with experience, with a competitive benefits package. Required: 1. A recent Ph.D. degree in plant pathology, entomology, ecology, or related field; 2. Demonstrated publication record, quality of work, and ability to design and conduct independent modeling experiments with a strong commitment to achieving goals; 3. Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to work in a team-based, multicultural, collaborative environment; 4. Authorization to work in the United States for any employer. Preferred: Research and familiarity with plant disease systems is desirable, but candidates with research experience in other biological systems and a desire to apply that knowledge are encouraged to apply; R programming experience is desirable, but other programming language experience is also useful. Experience with GIS is desirable. To apply, please submit (1) Cover letter explaining research interests and experience, and qualifications for the job, (2) Curriculum Vitae, and (3) Three references, including: names, addresses, telephone numbers and email addresses. Please upload your application materials at this website: http://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/cw/en-us/job/497013/postdoctoral-associate
